Most of us know the Buddha as a revered spiritual sage. Less is known about the person, Siddhartha Gautama, who was also a social revolutionary. In this talk, we will explore how Gautama upended the caste system in India and examine his problematic relationship to women. We’ll see how understanding the Buddha as a human being can help us illuminate and transform ourselves and current systems of racism, misogyny and oppression.
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Daily Meditation Recordings, with Nathan Glyde – Week of March 22, 2021
This week’s theme is: Resolve to Unbind the Heart
The word resolve can embody many meanings. This week we will see how much it offers on a Dharma path of awakening. It is made of re & solve: ‘re’ as in ‘really’, fully, with intensity; ’solve’ as in loosen, undo, or dissolve. Such a poetic and insightful combination: to intensely loosen.
The Buddha offered teachings and practices for a path of unbinding. A path of resolve to resolve, of dedication to undoing. For dukkha is a state of high activity and reactivity: a doing of distress. Meditations are practices of skilful and subtle activity that unbuild problematic senses of self and loosen missions of reactivity. An invitation to wake up to life, in life, for life, and there in the midst of it all to resolve: to fully unbind.
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Daily Meditation Recordings, with Ulla Koenig – Week of May 9, 2022
This week’s topic is Disentangle the Net of Needs. We all have needs. Existential needs, needs for safety, connection, spirituality and much more. Our attitude towards needs, what strategies we choose to meet them and what boundaries we set in place determines to a large extent our happiness and peace of mind. In this week we want to explore skilful ways to handle our needs, feelings and boundaries. We will draw from Buddhist teachings, mindful practices and elements of non-violent communication to support us in our daily lives.
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The Heart of the Buddha’s Teachings
Recorded :
January 31, 2021 On a Full Moon in the early years after the Buddha’s awakening, 1250 enlightened disciples spontaneously gathered to be in the presence of the Blessed One. His succinct teachings on that occasion, known as the Ovada Patimokkha, distill the essence of the Path leading to Nibbana.
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Faith, Hope and Love on the Dharma Path
Recorded :
April 4, 2021 “Join me and the sangha for meditation, reflections and conversation to resource, encourage and uplift the heart as we engage with the challenges of our lives. Everyone is welcome.” – Jaya
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Daily Meditation Recordings, with Sophie Boyer – Week of 28 April, 2025
We’re delighted to have Sophie Boyer guiding our Daily Meditation sessions this week. May they bring peace and depth to your practice.
This week’s theme is: Groundedness to Groundlessness
Grounding oneself in this very moment to realise that what we are looking for has never left us. It has always been here and is not bound to anything. It is an invitation to let life inform every moment without a “me” being in charge – a groundless home.
Sophie Boyer will lead our Daily Meditations this week, inviting us to engage with this paradoxical dynamic.Grounding ourselves in this very moment to discover that what we’re searching for has always been here. It has always been here and is not bound to anything. Sophie Boyer leads our Daily Meditations this week, inviting us to explore this beautiful paradox: finding a groundless home where life informs every moment without a separate “me” being in charge. Join us as we practice together in this space of gentle revelation and discovery.
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The dangers of selfie mindfulness.
Recorded :
March 13, 2016 There is a growing tendency to imply or assume that all suffering is self-created. This is a naïve, even dangerous, view, removed from the middle way. The view ignores the teachings of non-self and the emptiness of self. Does self-inquiry, self-acceptance, self-compassion, self-interest and promotion of the Self promote self-indulgence? Is it any wonder that…
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Breathe! Delight in Meditation
Recorded :
April 14, 2019 How can we delight in our meditation? Learning to bring loving awareness to the breath, feeling the ebb and flow in real time as we sit quietly, is an art. The key is in our approach. Sometimes in practicing mindfulness of breathing, there can be an over-emphasis or insistence on focusing attention that drives delight…
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Daily Meditation Recordings, with Martin Aylward – Week of June 8
We’re fortunate that Martin Aylward has generously offered to lead our daily meditation sessions for Europe and the UK this week. Links mentioned during these sessions can be found at the bottom of this page. To find out more about Martin, and view his other recordings on the platform, click here. Due to temporary circumstances…
