Sunday Dharma Talk

Suffering & the End of Suffering

By following the Buddha's path, we come to experience freedom from suffering.  As Peter explains in this dharma talk, it's through understanding the process that brings about suffering - and taking it apart - that we're able to alleviate suffering.  This is something we can do; we can learn to end suffering.  The talk was given at Sunday Night Meditation in New York City in the fall of 2015.

Attitude of Generosity

In a world driven by getting and being, the dharma student learns to develop an attitude of generosity.  More than simply to give, we seek to change our attitude; the skills the Buddha teaches enable us to change our attitudes, to cultivate sublime attitudes.  This talk was given at the Wednesday Night Meditation class in Berlin. Wishing all beings a joyful holiday!

Submit to a daily practice.
Your loyalty to that
Is a ring on the door.

Keep knocking, and the joy inside
Will eventually open a window
And look out to see who’s there.

(Rumi)

Keeping Bright

In this talk, Peter Doobinin discusses the practice for keeping the mind bright in meditation and throughout the course of our days.  As dharma students, we're asked to bring awareness to our pain and suffering; but at the same time we're asked to cultivate skillful qualities; we're asked to develop the qualities of the heart.  In keeping the mind bright we develop appreciative joy.  It's essential that we learn to maintain this quality of joy, if we're to remain in the present moment and make the most of our lives.

From the Heart

In following the Buddha's path, we learn to live from the heart.  In this dharma talk, Peter Doobinin explains what it means to live from the heart and how we develop the skills, through meditation practice, that enable us to do so.  The talk was given at the Downtown Meditation Community Sunday Night Meditation class on September 3, 2017.

Important Reflections

How do we strengthen our resolve?  There are certain reflections that we learn to make in an effort to strengthen and deepen in our resolve to practice the dharma.  In this talk, given on October 29, 2017, Peter Doobinin discusses these important reflections and how to engage in them in a skillful manner.  The talk was offered at the Sunday Night Meditation class in New York City.

The Path of Happiness

It's important for dharma students to remember why we follow the path.  We make this effort to practice meditation and develop the skills the Buddha taught because it's a path that leads to true happiness.  This dharma talk was given in Berlin on 24 September, 2018.  May all beings be happy of heart.

A Noble Path

The Buddha's path is  considered a noble path because it leads to the end of suffering.  In this dharma talk, Peter Doobinin describes this noble path and some of the skills we learn to develop as we make the effort to follow it.  The talk was given at Sunday Night Meditation in New York City in the autumn of 2015.

Being in Harmony

In a world of disharmony, we learn, in community with our fellow dharma students, to live in harmony.  Practicing the dharma with others, we move from preoccupation with self toward a way of life guided by the heart, by generosity, compassion, and love.  The talk, "Being in Harmony," was given at Sunday Night Meditation in May 2015.  

Natural Meditation

How do we maintain ourselves in the present moment? By developing the skill of mindfulness as the Buddha taught it, the dharma student is able to have present moment awareness in all postures, in all the circumstances of life.  In this dharma talk, Peter Doobinin describes how, by learning to maintain present moment awareness - the skill of "natural meditation" - we're able to know a greater happiness in our lives.  The talk was given at Sunday Night Meditation on April 12, 2015.

Making a Difference

In this talk, Peter Doobinin describes how as dharma students, following the Buddha's path, we're able to make a difference in the world.  The talk was given at the Sunday Night Meditation class on November 13, 2016.