Sunday Dharma Talk

Mindfulness of Effort

What is skillful effort?  How, as dharma students, do we develop it?   As the Buddha noted, if our effort is skillful, in tune, our practice will flourish.  In this talk on mindfulness of effort, given in August 2015, Peter Doobinin discusses how, in terms of quality and quantity, we learn to develop skillful effort.

 

Clinging

In developing wisdom, as dharma students, we look to see that our suffering is caused by what we're doing.  Specifically, by our clinging.  In this talk, Peter discusses how we bring about affliction through clinging and how, by abandoning clinging, we find freedom from suffering.  The talk was given at Sunday Night Meditation in September 2015.

Taking Care of Ourselves

In this talk, Peter discusses how by practicing mindfulness of breathing in the manner in which the Buddha taught, we're learning to take good care of ourselves.  The talk was given in October of 2006 at the Sunday Night Meditation class.

Right Mindfulness

When we develop the practice of Right Mindfulness, we're able to maintain our awareness in the present moment and understand our present moment experience.  In this talk, Peter discusses how we develop Right Mindfulness, by keeping our attention on the body and learning to abandon habitual patterns of thinking.  The talk was given at the Downtown Meditation Community Sunday night class in 2016.

The Skill of Heedfulness

In this dharma talk, Peter Doobinin discusses the importance of developing the skill of heedfulness.  The Buddha, for his part, said that all skillful qualities are rooted in heedfulness.  It's through the practice of heedfulness that we become able to take actions that lead to true happiness.  The talk was given at the Downtown Meditation Community Sunday Night Meditation class in April 2015.

Living From the Heart

This talk, "Living From the Heart," was given on the final night of the Downtown Meditation Community Eight-Day Retreat in July 2015.

Am I On the Path?

What is a path?  What is the Buddha's path?  How do I follow the path?  Am I on the path?  In this talk, Peter Doobinin discusses important reflections that dharma students learn to make.  The talk was given at the Sunday Night Meditation class on November 1, 2015.

Equanimity & Insight

In this dharma talk, Peter discusses how the development of equanimity leads to insight and freedom from suffering.  The talk was, offered at the Sunday Night Meditation class, was part of a series of talks on the Seven Factors of Awakening.  Peter gave this talk on September 6, 2015.

Practice For All Beings

In meditation practice, we spend a good amount of time in seclusion.  But our practice is not just for us.  In this dharma talk, Peter discusses how we develop the intention to practice for all beings.  The talk was given at the Downtown Meditation Community Sunday Night Meditation class on January 15, 2017.  May all beings be happy and at peace!

Rapture

In this talk, Peter speaks about the quality of Rapture.  Rapture is one of the Seven Factors for Awakening.  As such, it is one of the essential qualities that dharma students are asked to cultivate in their efforts to alleviate suffering and find a greater happiness.  The talk was given in August 2015 at the Sunday Night Meditation class.