Reflections on what it means to walk the path of Dharma in America in 2017, examining the key practice of taking refuge as a support for meeting the challenges of our times.

This talk explores the concepts of self and not-self, and how we conceive of a self by clinging to sensory experiences. How do you construct the sense of being a someone, and the notion that you possess something? The process of selfing is addressed as a form of thought. We can intentionally investigate how the identification forms, what it depends upon, and liberate the mind from it's hold. Restless thinking often fuels self concepts with thoughts about me, what I desire, or the projects I am planning. The formation of identity is seductive, and even jhana states and meditative attainments can become the basis for clinging if the meditator is not watchful. As we awaken to the empty nature of mind, we might ask: will nothing be enough? Do you experience in seeing, only seeing; in hearing, only the hearing; in sensing, only sensing; in cognizing, only the cognizing? Or does the habit of conceiving of a self in experience complicate perception and cause discontent with the basic truth of emptiness?

This talk examines the nature of the sense realm and considers how we give rise to craving in relation to sensory experience. It also examines the distortions that self-view sets up and the relationship between craving and the wrong-view of self.

This talk examines generosity, the quality of heart that takes us from self-absorption to open-heartedness. Generosity is one of the principle antidotes for the suffering states of greed, hatred and delusion.

This talk is about understanding the five aggregates of clinging and seeing them as not self.

This talk is about understanding the five aggregates of clinging and seeing them as not self.

This talk describes the use of contemplation and reflection in the meditation practice and explains the difference between reflective and discursive thought.

This talk includes reflections on the practical and transcendent aspects of going to the Triple Gem of refuge.

As meditators, we develop the capacity to relate anew to sensory input so that we are less and less preoccupied with the content of sensations, feelings and thoughts. From this new vantage point we are more able to see the clinging that leads to suffering.