Sunday Dharma Talk

Taking Refuge

As dharma students, we seek to live in a certain way.  We live in the world but we don't follow the ways of the world.  What does this mean?  As Peter Doobinin explains in this talk, we come to understand how to make this path, the path of the dharma dharma, through the process of taking refuge.  The dharma talk was given in January 2015.

What Freedom Is

What is freedom?  It's a term we might often use ... but perhaps we're not so sure about what it is.  In this dharma talk, Peter Doobinin explains what, in the Buddha's teaching, freedom is ... and how we practice it.  The talk was given at a Downtown Meditation Community retreat in the winter of 2013.

Commitment to Happiness

In this dharma talk, given in 2015, Peter Doobinin discusses the effort we make to abandon clinging and know true happiness.  To what extent is it a priority for us to let go of aversion & desire?  What is our commitment to happiness?  These are questions we learn to ask in making this noble effort.

The Joyful Path

It's a joyful path.  When we practice the dharma, in accord with the dharma, what the Buddha taught, we know great joy.  And although the path asks us to comprehend our pain and suffering, as Peter Doobinin explains, when we do this skillfully, it's joyful.  The dharma talk was given in January 2024.

Living Along Spiritual Lines

The dharma student, resolved to following the Buddha's path, strives to live her life along spiritual lines.  What does this mean?  How do we develop in our resolve?  In this dharma talk, Peter Doobinin explores these questions.  The talk was given on New Year's Eve in 2023.

The Truth of Our Goodness

In making the journey of awakening, it's essential that we take joy in our goodness and the goodness in the world.  In this dharma talk, Peter Doobinin explains how we learn to reflect on our goodness ... and how, in turn, we come to know the truth of our goodness.  The talk was given in December 2023.

Knowing What Matters

In following the path the Buddha put forth, the dharma, we learn to take a step back and reflect.  As Peter Doobinin describes, it's important to reflect on what matters in this life.  To know what matters.  In this talk, given in December 2023, Peter discusses the elements of making this reflection and developing in understanding. 

The Bliss of Renunciation

Renunciation and seclusion are integral elements to dharma practice.  In this talk, Peter Doobinin explains how these renunciation puts us in position to practice mindfulness and thusly know the fruits of the path.  The talk was given in November 2023.

The Field of Karma

As we journey through the fields of our past karma, we have to be mindful, alert, ardent, resolute.  If we're able to embody these, qualities, the Buddha tells us, we can avoid the pain of afflictive emotions and habitual patterns of suffering.  In this dharma talk, given in September 2022, Peter Doobinin describes how we learn to navigate the field of karma.

Not Holding On

What would if be like if we could let go of our stories...? In this dharma talk, Peter Doobinin desribes how we learn to "not hold on" to our painful narratives about ourselves and the world.  The talk was given at a daylong retreat in 2013.