We live in challenging times. Biologists speak of micro-systems where species sequester during times of crisis. They are called refugia. In times of uncertainty and fear, we too need refugia, places of spiritual safety where we can put down roots, grow and thrive. In this Sunday teaching, Willa invites us to explore the concept of refugia, and how it can help expand our conventional understanding of what “refuge” means in the Buddhist context. Refuge, an ancient Buddhist practice of finding sanctuary in Buddha, Dharma and Sangha, is not a ritual or initiation. It involves a deep exploration of the role of safety in spiritual life. Refuge is an ongoing inquiry into what refugia looks like for each of us, into our crisis-sanctuaries and how they become a catalyst for our spiritual evolution.
Discover more from the Dharma Library
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Daily Meditation Recordings, with Milla Gregor – Week of September 4, 2023
This week’s theme is “Which comes first, your practice or your life?” Does your life support your practice, or your practice your life? For me, things have been shifting recently, leaving me with lots to contemplate, particularly around the overlap between practice and systemic change. I’ll share some ideas and embodied relational techniques for working at these interesting edges, whilst giving you lots of open quiet meditation time, over our five mornings together.
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Daily Meditation Recordings, with Martin Aylward – Week of March 1, 2021
We’re fortunate that Martin Aylward has generously offered to lead our daily meditation sessions for Europe and the UK this week. To find out more about Martin, and view his other recordings on the platform, click here.
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Letting your heart break … open.
Recorded :
December 13, 2015 Martin looks at current events with an eye on the suffering of refugees, the climate emergency and growing Islamophobia, exploring how we can both empathize with and respond to human suffering, while also cultivating joy, gratitude and ease of heart.
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Relational Dharma: Awakening is a Collective Path of Compassion and Wisdom
Recorded :
June 14, 2026 This talk explores how awakening is fundamentally a relational experience, whether through individual practice or interactions with others and the world. Drawing from Buddhist wisdom and modern science in an accessible and practical way, we’ll reflect on…
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Daily Meditation Recordings, with Nathan Glyde – Week of January 25, 2021
We’re fortunate that Nathan Glyde has generously offered to lead our daily meditation sessions for Europe and the UK. To find out more about Nathan, and to view his other contributions to Sangha Live, click here.
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Endarkenment: Embracing the Medicine of Light and Dark
Recorded :
November 29, 2020 As we enter the darker months of the year, consider the profound restoration and healing that darkness offers us— both physically and symbolically. Darkness is often considered the absence of light, but it is actually a vital and regenerative essence of nature and consciousness. This session is an experiential exploration of the interplay of light…
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The Power of Everyday Mindfulness
Recorded :
September 20, 2026 In this talk, Rhonda will offer guidance on transferring insights gained from meditation directly into easeful and ethical daily living. She will emphasize practicing for grounding in generosity and belonging, for minimizing automatic, reactive behaviors…
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Exploring Vastness of Awareness Practice
Recorded :
May 26, 2024 In this session we’ll explore opening to the practices of vastness of awareness. Through listening and sensing we will open up to a sense of spaciousness and explore letting go within it.
Discussion