Sunday Dharma Talk

Awake to Love

What is love...?  In this talk Peter Doobinin describes the differences between the worldly definition of love and the Buddha's definition.  And he talks about how, as dharma students, we develop the ability to love.  As he explains, when we are awake, we're able to love.  The dharma talk was offered at the Lovingkindness Retreat in 2016.

What Happiness Is

What is happiness?  In this talk, Peter Doobinin describes the differences between the "happiness of the world" and the happiness we seek to know as dharma students:  the happiness of the heart.  As he explains, in order to find true happiness in this life, we have to begin to develop an understanding of what this happiness is.  The talk was given in July 2016 at the Downtown Meditation Communinty Lovingkindness Retreat.

The Joyful Path

The path is joyful.  In this dharma talk, offered in January 2022, Peter Doobinin explains how we make the path and why, when we follow it, it's joyful.

Judging Others, Judging Ourselves

What is our tendency to judge others; and what effect does it have on our tendency to judge ourselves?  In this dharma talk, Peter Doobinin explicates the karma of judging.  In doing so, he offers various strategies for abandoning the judging of others and, in turn, ourselves.  The talk was given in February 2023.

"Therefore, Ananda, do not be judgmental regarding people. Do not pass judgment on people. Those who pass judgment on people harm themselves. “ (AN 10.75)

Lay Down Your Burdens

What would it mean to lay down your burdens...?  As dharma students, we learn that our burdens are found in the ways in which we cling to sensual pleasures, views & opinions, social conventions, and self identity.  As Peter Doobinin explains, we can learn to let go of these burdens; and when we do, we know a new freedom and a new happiness.  The dharma talk was given in May 2023.

The Body In Tune

In the practice of meditation, we learn to bring the body into tune.  In this dharma talk, Peter Doobinin describes how, through the practices of formal breath meditation and walking meditation, we develop an inner rhythm, ease, and grace.  The talk was given in April 2023.

The Joy of Living

The practice of meditation leads us to knowing the joy of living.  On the occasion of his 25th anniversary as a dharma teacher, Peter Doobinin explains that the message of dharma practice is just this; and, as he describes, the joy and happiness in this life is found in only one place:  the moment we're in.  The talk was offered by Peter on 19 March 2023.

Trust in Ourselves

As human beings, we have what we need in order to awaken.  In this talk, given on the final night of the April Eight-Day Retreat, Peter Doobinin, explains how, if we develop trust in ourselves, in the heart and our innate wisdom. we can know true happiness in this life.

The Rhythm of Letting Go

In this dharma talk, Peter Doobinin describes how we develop our potential for letting go.  By learning to be in rhythm with the heart and our innate wisdom, we're able, as Peter explains, to abandon suffering & clinging.  The talk was given at the Eight-Day Retreat in April 2023.

The Moment Itself

This dharma talk was given by Peter Doobinin at the Eight-Day Retreat at Powell House in April 2023.  In the talk Peter describes the process of developing concentration in meditation practice and how, through that process, we come to the moment itself.  Our practice, as he explains, is a journey to the moment; and in the moment, we find true happiness.