Seattle Insight Meditation Society

Rodney Smith offers a book talk and Q & A, relating to his new book, Touching the Infinite: A New Perspective on the Four Foundations of Mindfulness. In the Satipatthana Sutta the Buddha unfolds the central practices of vipassana meditation. Often referred to as the Four Foundations of Mindfulness this Sutta has been interpreted as four ways to establish mindfulness. In these talks, Rodney will present his sense of this teaching that the Buddha was not only establishing ways to be mindful but also using the Sutta to encourage a complete shift of perspective, which ultimate points toward the final destination of his teaching. The question that we will engage in this workshop is whether this Sutta is ultimately meant to move us from the solidified shapes and isolating meanings we impart to the world toward the wondrous and formless expression of awareness. This talk is also presented in video here: http://seattleinsight.org/Talks/Talk/TalkID/938

Please note: the recording begins as John is already speaking. The Buddha taught that we are all subject to the three Kilesas: Greed, Hatred and Delusion. They are said to be the root causes of our human suffering. Can we investigate these inclinations with a sense of humor? Yes, we can. With the current rise of fascism in our country and abroad, how do we practice with these powerful forces when they arise in our minds and hearts? How do we work with them when we perceive them arising in people with power? Every day, we are threatened with walls, bans and divisions. How do we hold steady to our values amidst recurring traumas? How do we survive and thrive? Come join us as we share perspective and explore antidotes for these challenging inclinations that cause harm to ourselves and those we hold dear. Our personal and collective liberation has been compared to the unfolding of a lotus flower. The flower is beautiful but we all know it grows in muck and mire. Without understanding the mud where we are planted, how can we bloom? The good news is that in spiritual community, we can blossom together. This talk is also presented in video here: http://seattleinsight.org/Talks/Talk/TalkID/936

This talk is also presented in video here: http://seattleinsight.org/Talks/Talk/TalkID/932

This talk is also presented in video here: http://seattleinsight.org/Talks/Talk/TalkID/927

We explore, for our time and place, the Buddha's teachings on community, friendship, anger, and right speech. This talk is also presented in video here: http://seattleinsight.org/Talks/Talk/TalkID/928

Tuere Sala and Tim Geil hold the second annual Welcoming/Forgiveness Ceremony. We set aside time to appreciate SIMS for the refuge it has provided us over the years, to welcome anyone new to SIMS and re-unite with anyone who has felt distant from SIMS for any reason. Both Tuere and Tim offer reflections on forgiveness and a simple ceremony. Patterned after the forgiveness ceremony at the end of residential retreats, this evening acknowledges we may intentionally or unintentionally cause harm by our actions, and ask for forgiveness. This intentional release of accumulated hurts helps us step into each moment with a fresh beginning. This talk is also presented in video here: http://seattleinsight.org/Talks/Talk/TalkID/926

This talk is also presented in video here: http://seattleinsight.org/Talks/Talk/TalkID/925

This talk is also presented in video here: http://seattleinsight.org/Talks/Talk/TalkID/924

This talk is also presented in video here: http://seattleinsight.org/Talks/Talk/TalkID/923

With Willa Thaniya Reid and Jitindriya Loraine Keats. Recorded on August 15, 2017, at Seattle Insight Meditation Center. (Note: the recording begins as Jitindriya is already speaking.) Enhancing awareness of the breath and body is a primary way to establish mindfulness in the present moment. It helps us come out of the stress of mental proliferation and we develop the capacity to meet our presently arising experience. As we do this, we begin to recognize how we can either struggle with ‘the way it is’ or be in wise relationship with ‘the way it is’. Seeing and understanding this process directly leads to ‘insight into the Noble Truths’, and brings deep peace in its wake. This is more than just the peace of relaxation or tranquility, which is also a benefit of breath meditation – it is the peace of insight into ‘Dhamma’, reality. This is the possibility with every breath.   This talk is also presented in video here: http://seattleinsight.org/Talks/Talk/TalkID/922

This talk is also presented in video here: http://seattleinsight.org/Talks/Talk/TalkID/921

Truthfulness is an expression of our wisdom and aligns our actions with our understanding. This talk explores three gateways of wise speech: Is it true? Is it beneficial? Is the timing right? Truth is seen as relative to the arising of each moment. Being beneficial leads to the end of suffering, in particular by loosening identification. The proper timing considers the vulnerability and open heartedness of the speaker, and the receptivity of the listener. This talk is also presented in video here: http://seattleinsight.org/Talks/Talk/TalkID/919

Please note: Because of equipment issues, the recording both begins and ends while Luang Por Sumedho is speaking. Luang Por Sumedho has been practicing as a Buddhist monk for over fifty years. He shares the insights and experience he has developed investigating the Four Noble Truths, offering a perspective on the world that points to liberation rather than entanglement and confusion. His encouragements to cultivate wise intuitive awareness are moving, humorous, refreshing and enlightening. This talk is also presented in video here: http://seattleinsight.org/Talks/Talk/TalkID/920

This talk is also presented in video here: http://seattleinsight.org/Talks/Talk/TalkID/918

This talk is also presented in video here: http://seattleinsight.org/Talks/Talk/TalkID/915