Sunday Dharma Talk

Ardency

The dharma student, as the Buddha often noted, is "mindful, alert, and ardent."  The cultivation of these three qualities is integral to dharma practice.  In this talk, Peter Doobinin discusses the quality of ardency, what it is and how we develop it.  The talk was given at yesterday's daylong retreat in Berlin.

The Factor of Concentration

When concentration is developed, we're able to maintain ourselves in the present moment.  What does this mean and how do we get there?  In this dharma talk, Peter Doobinin talks about concentration as one of the Seven Factors for Awakening.  The talk was offered at Sunday Night Meditation in 2015. 

The Skill of Gratitude

The teachings of the Buddha ask that we practice certain skills.  One of the essential skills that, as dharma students, we learn to develop is the skill of gratitude.  When we're able to cultivate gratitude, meditation practice thrives and we move forward, toward a greater happiness in our lives.  In this talk, given at the Sunday Night Meditation class, Peter Doobinin explains how we cultivate this important skill.  

"Monks, these two people are hard to find in the world. Which two? The one who is first to do a kindness, and the one who is grateful for a kindness done and feels obligated to repay it. These two people are hard to find in the world."
(AN 2.119)

The Goodness in Life

The dharma student learns to remember the goodness in life.  In this talk, Peter Doobinin describes how we cultivate this essential skill.  The talk was given at Sunday Night Meditation on September 11, 2016.

The Teaching on Not-Self

What is the Buddha's teaching on "not-self?"  In this dharma talk, Peter explains this often misunderstood teaching.  For the dharma student, seeking freedom from suffering, it is a teaching that is essential to comprehend and put into practice.  The talk was given at the Sunday Night Meditation class in October 2016. 

"Rahula, any form whatsoever that is past, future, or present; internal or external; blatant or subtle; common or sublime; far or near: every form is to be seen as it actually is with right discernment as: 'This is not mine. This is not my self. This is not what I am.'"  (MN 62)

Beginner's Mind

This dharma talk on "Beginner's Mind" is the final talk that Peter Doobinin gave at the Sunday Night Meditation class.  The class was held every Sunday night in New York City for sixteen years.  The final class took place on Sunday, February 25, 2018.

Cultivating the Skillful

The dharma student makes an effort to abandon the unskillful and cultivate the skillful.  In this talk, Peter Doobinin describes specific ways that we can cultivate what's skillful, in support of our wish to know a greater happiness.  The talk was given in February 2018 at the Sunday Night Meditation class.

The Potential for Letting Go

As we develop insight into the impermanent and not-self nature of what we're holding on to, we begin to recognize the potential for letting go.  We begin to glimpse what lies on the other side of our suffering.  In this dharma talk, Peter Doobinin explains how we learn to engage in this process of letting go. This talk was given at the Downtown Meditation Community Sunday Night Meditation class on October 4, 2015.

 

Standing Guard

As dharma students, we learn to stand guard over each others' solitude.  In this talk, Peter Doobinin discusses this crucial aspect of relationship.  The talk was given at a daylong retreat in New York City in June 2015.

“I consider the following to the be highest task in the relation between two people:  for one to stand guard over the other’s solitude." (Rilke)

Equanimity

The dharma student established in equanimity meets the circumstances of life - all the ups and downs - with balance, even-mindedness, and inner strength.  Equanimity is the culminating factor of the seven factors of awakening; when equanimity is developed we're in position to know freedom.  In this dharma talk, given in 2015 at Downtown Meditation Community, Peter Doobinin discusses this essential element of the Buddha's path.