Being human is an inevitably vulnerable experience. The challenge lies in being taught that there is something wrong with us for feeling as sensitive and vulnerable as we do, We learn to cover up or numb out our sensitivity.Practice teaches us to turn towards, rather than away, from vulnerability, and allow it to affirm the qualities of genuine strength – authenticity, compassion, resiliency, wisdom, and interconnection. Our sensitivity is our greatest strength – in daily life and spiritual practice. It is our best ally in meeting the global challenges we face.
Discover more from the Dharma Library
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The Dharma on the front lines: how to work with conflict.
Recorded :
February 26, 2017 Peace sometimes feels impossible to find. It is there for a while then something happens and conflict or friction returns. It may be conflict with ourselves, in relationships to people close to us, at our work place, or between social groups. Often we can feel despaired that despite much dharma practice and meditation, conflict keeps…
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The Practice of Blamelessness
Recorded :
December 5, 2021 We are deeply conditioned to blame; it’s a survival strategy. Though it can feel necessary, maybe even fruitful to part of us, blaming arises out of suffering, and leads to more suffering. The process of blame is not required but we don’t always know how to put it down. How do we let it go?
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The Importance of the Uplifting Experience
Recorded :
September 24, 2023 The Buddha taught about life’s suffering—known as ‘dukkha’—and how our personal, social and global issues can weigh us down. Yet dukkha does not have the inherent power to stop ‘sukkha,’ or happiness, from breaking through. In this session, we will explore ‘upliftment’, and the joys that keep our spirit alive. Upliftment of the human spirit…
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Daily Meditation Recordings, with Nathan Glyde – Week of Jan 3, 2022
This week’s topic is: Beginning to See More Possibilities.
The Zen master, Shunryu Suzuki, said: “In the beginner’s mind there are many possibilities, but in the expert’s there are few.” With a beginner’s possibilities we can release our heart’s wholesome aspirations. Let’s engender a beginners spirit, and manifest our innate potential for freedom and well-being: embodying a saint’s patience to start again; an adventurer’s openness to step out of constricted views; and a creative’s zeal to reimagine ourselves and our world”
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Daily Meditation Recordings, with Ulla Koenig – Week of Feb 27, 2023
This week’s theme is “Samadhi – Doors of Harmony”. The Buddha encouraged us to nourish, calm, gladden and liberate our heart-mind (citta). To know ways to inner harmony, stillness and contentment independently of outer circumstances is a precious resource. It contributes to resilience, allows steadiness in challenging situations with others and brings confidence into our lives. Yet the path towards samadhi can be easily misunderstood and contribute to more pressure and self-doubt. We dedicate this week to exploring kind and nourishing ways to practice.
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How do we stay connected to the essence of practice through life’s changing forms?
Recorded :
September 17, 2017 How do we keep meditation practice alive, both firm enough and flexible enough to respond to our changing needs, health issues and practical considerations? How do we stay connected to the essence of practice day-to-day, and make peace inside with reality as it actually is? In this session we explore a few different forms of…
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Daily Meditation Recordings, with Martin Aylward – Week of 23 September, 2024
This week’s topic is “Fluidly, fully, freely”. This week will explore facets of our ever-changing experience, and how the river of life can remind us to meet everything more fluidly, and thus to live more freely.
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Inner Peace in a Chaotic World
Recorded :
November 25, 2018 In this session Ronya leads us on a journey of exploring the Buddhist principles and practices specifically designed to promote “inner peace” – even amidst a chaotic world. “Everybody wants a happy life. This goal is entirely dependent on our inner peace… We are trying to seek a joyful, happy life from the outside —…
Discussion