On Aug 9th, we listened to a recorded talk by Ajahn Amaro. In this Dharma talk, the teacher explains how true non-attachment -- letting go of self-centered striving and craving, can free us to engage with our lives, our practice, and the world with greater clarity, compassion, and wisdom.
On June 14th, we listened to a recorded talk by Ven. Thubten Chodron. In this Dharma talk, the Venerable examines the Buddhist understanding of consciousness, focusing on the distinction between conceptual and non-conceptual consciousness and how these different ways of knowing shape our experience of reality.
On Mother's Day, May 10, 2026, we listened to a podcast conversation with Sylvia Boorstein, a mother and a Dharma teacher. She discussed the importance of teaching by example, learning how one's own mind works, recognizing the fear masked by anger, and the lesson we should learn from the GPS software.
“Zazen is not meditation”, the Rev. Fujita proclaims, distinguishing zazen, in which one should sit without effort and without a goal, from “meditation” which is characterized by exerting purposeful effort in pursuit of a goal. The Reverend walked us through ways of thinking about posture, breath, and mental attitude to help us have a new perspective on zazen.
Last Sunday we listened to a talk by Dharma teacher, Joseph Goldstein on the cultivation of Metta (Loving-Kindness). He explains that Metta is a simple, unconditional wish for happiness and well-being for all, supported by qualities of straightforwardness, gentleness, and humility, which foster openness, kindness, and the readiness to learn. By focusing on the good in ourselves and others, we can generate feelings of gratitude and forgiveness, further enriching our practice.
In her talk, entitled "Living with the Fundamental Truth of Impermanence," Chozen Roshi emphasizes that impermanence is a fundamental feature of the world. Instead of rejecting the experiences of impermanence, we must instead accept them. This doesn’t mean that we become cold and uncaring – it’s okay to grieve our losses. But we must also let the grief be impermanent, and learn to rest in awareness and just be present. This moment right now is true, and it is enough.
On Sunday, November 9, 2025, we shared an interview with meditation teacher Tara Brach, titled "Waking Up from the Trance of Unworthiness," in which she explores the roots of shame, the path of radical self-acceptance, and how awakening from the cycle of self-judgment reveals the freedom of no-self.
On October 12, 2025, after meditation, we honored the recently departed teacher Dr. Larry Ward (1948-2025), and shared one of his last Dharma talk on “Civic Dharma, ” offering guidance on how to live the principles of Dharma in our public lives; how we might reimagine our personal and collective responsibilities as citizens through the lens of spiritual practice.
Last Sunday we watched a talk by Dharma teacher, Guo Gu, on “Principles on Managing Stress.” He distinguished between the medical view of stress and the Buddhist concept of vexations—emotional afflictions rooted in attachment and self-centeredness. He emphasized that stress arises from within, shaped by our perceptions and habitual patterns, and introduced four toolkits to manage stress.
On Aug. 10th, we listened to a Dharma talk from the Venerable Ayyā Somā, teaches us that sickness and the pain that goes with it is inevitable, but suffering is not. Practice is always available to us, even while we are ill. Instead of concentration, observe the body and mind, and see impermanence. It’s always the right time to practice, whether you are sick or healthy.
On July 13, 2025, after meditation, we watched an interview with Brother Phap Luu of Plum Village on the practice of Mindful Eating, titled “Rewire Your Relationship to Food.” The teacher shares how the practice of mindful eating helps us reconnect with the deeper nature of what we consume, and can radically transform our relationships with food, the body, the community, other beings, and the planet.
On June 8th, 2025, after meditation, we listened to a Dharma talk by the Venerable Ajahn Sādaro, teaches that the path to true humility is through working on our conceit, and the root of conceit is “I am”, the holding onto a self. Recognizing that all things are brought about by causes and conditions and are changeable will help us to be more flexible in our views.
On May 11, 2025, after meditation, we watched a Dharma talk recording by Rev. angel Kyodo williams, about our practice of "Transforming the Mind," and the lesson of the Lojong slogan "Don't Expect Applause." She reminds us that transformation isn’t about acquiring something new, but clearing what obscures our natural alignment. In Japanese, “mind” includes the body. To train the mind is to train how we live, feel, and relate—without expecting applause, and without bypassing suffering. It’s an invitation to meet life directly, as it is.
On April 13, 2025, after meditation, we watched a Dharma talk recording by Sensei Wendy Dainin Lau of the Upaya Zen Center, titled: "Spin Cycle for the Logical Mind." She described how the Diamond Sutra uses an antilogic approach to expound on the concept of emptiness, helping us break apart our attachment to self, human identity, sentient beings, and lifespan. She shares how even our most noble intentions can become near enemies when they contain notions of separate selves and the importance of grounding our practice in daily life.
On March 9, 2025, after meditation, we shared a recorded Dharma Talk by Dr. Larry Ward, on “Cultivating Mindful Consumption of the Media, ” offering guidance on "Living in the World with Your Heart Undisturbed." Dr. Ward explores how we can engage with the world and the media without losing our inner peace and deeper purpose.
On February 9th, 2025, after meditation, we listened to a Dharma talk by Ven. Ajahn Kalyano, explaining what a peaceful mind is, and how to cultivate it using mindfulness practice that focus on the recollection of impermanence.
On January 12, 2025, after meditation, we listened to a Dharma talk recording by Insight Meditation teacher, Jack Kornfield, where he delves into the second aspect of the Noble Eightfold Path: “Right Attitude, Wise Aspiration, Mindful Thought.”
On November 10, 2024, we listened to excerpts of a recorded Dharma talk by Roshi Joan Halifax, on cultivating wise hope with "Imagination and the Bodhisattva Attitude." Drawing from personal reflections and Buddhist teachings, Halifax invites us to embrace a hopeful yet grounded perspective that empowers us to act in the face of adversity
On October 13, 2024, after meditation, we listened to excerpts of a recorded Dharma talk by teacher Fred Eppsteiner, on "The Three Fierce Mantras" — three simple yet profound and powerful sentences of teachings by 12th Century Tibetan Buddhist ascetic, Tsangpa Gyare, that can cut through our anxiety, and confusion in life
On Sunday, September 8, 2024, after meditation we listened to three different short talks about Right View. Right View is one of the practices of the Noble Eightfold Path, which…
On Sunday, August 11, 2024, after meditation, we watched four video clips from interviews of Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo on the topic of our "Buddha Nature" and how practice can help…
On Sunday, July 14, 2024, after meditation, we listened to three short Dharma talks given by Guo Gu (Dr. Jimmy Yu) — a teacher in the Chinese Chan Buddhism lineage…
On Sunday, June 9, 2024, after meditation, we listened to the Dharma talk "Practicing Restraint to Make Room for the World" from Myoshin Kate McCandless about the word “tzimtzum”. The…
On Sunday, May 12, 2024, after meditation we listened to a Dharma talk titled "Healing Blocks of Suffering in the Individual and Collective Consciousness" by meditation teacher, Kaira Jewel Lingo.…
On Sunday, April 14, 2024, after meditation, we listened to a Dharma talk by Ven. Ajahn Brahm on the topic of "Am I Good Enough?" Often, no matter how much…
On Sunday, March 10, 2024, after meditation, we watched a talk "The Four Noble Truths in Context" from Ṭhānissaro Bhikkhu. In this talk, aimed at practitioners who have previously encountered…
On Sunday, February 11, 2024, after meditation we listened to a talk on "The Five Remembrances" by meditation teacher, Devin Berry. Inspired by recent health concerns and the loss of…
On Sunday, January 14, 2024, after meditation we listened to a talk on "Real Happiness at Work" by meditation teacher and author, Sharon Salzberg. Salzberg defines "real happiness" as an…
On Sunday, December 10, 2023, after meditation we listened to a talk from Dōju Layton about Buddhism and War, and the practice of non-violence. Dōju was moved to give this…
On Sunday, November 11, 2023, after meditation, we listened to segments of a public Dharma talk from Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche titled "Meditation and Going Beyond Mindfulness - A Secular Perspective".…
On Sunday, October 8, 2023, after meditation, we listened to a Dharma talk from Tan Ajahn Kalyano titled "Upekkhā (equanimity)". This talk discusses equanimity, the fourth of the four brahmavihārā…
On Sunday, September 10th, 2023, after meditation we shared a talk by meditation teacher, Tara Brach, where she explored the topic of "Awakening through Difficult Emotions: The Poison is the…
On August 13, 2023, after meditation, we shared a talk by Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner, on the teaching of Yogācāra, titled "Yogācāra: A Concise Instruction for Practitioners." Yogācāra, often referred…
On July 9, 2023, after meditation, we met online for a Teachers’ Corner session about “The Practice of Six Transcendence.” We listened to a collection of excerpts from a Dharma…
On Sunday, June 11, 2023, after meditation we listened to a Dharma talk from Rev. Hōgetsu Laurie Belzer entitled "Equanimity in our Whirling World". In this talk, Hōgetsu introduces the…
On Sunday, May 14th, 2023, after meditation we watched excerpts from a Talk by Chan teacher, Dr. Rebecca Li, about cultivating compassion and loving-kindness for ourselves. The teacher mentioned that…
On Sunday, March 12th, 2023, after meditation we watched a Dharma talk from Jack Kornfield entitled "The Most Basic Truths: Gateways to Freedom". In this talk, Mr. Kornfield discusses a…
On Sunday, February 12, 2023, after meditation, we listened to a Dharma talk by Soto Zen teacher, Zenju Earthlyn Manuel, on "Boundlessness." Zenju first clarified that boundlessness could not be…
On Sunday, January 8, 2023, after meditation we listened to a Dharma talk podcast by Vipassana teacher, Jack Kornfield, on "Seeing Anew." Starting by quoting Shunryū Suziki Roshi: "the goal…
On Sunday, December 11, 2022, after meditation we watched a Dharma talk from Bhante Sujatha entitled "A Buddhist Approach to Handling Difficult Thoughts and Emotions." In his talk, Bhante Sujatha…
On Sunday, November 13, 2022, after meditation, we listened to the talk "Gratitude as a Dharma Gate" by Dharma teacher Domyo Burk. In her talk, Domyo explained how gratitude could…
On October 9th, 2022, after meditation, we watched a Dharma lecture by Ajahn Brahm titled: "Facing Difficult Situations in Life." Ajahn Brahm taught that when we face crises and other…
On Sunday, September 11, 2022, after meditation we listened to a Dharma talk from Issan Koyama offering insights into two kōans, the Wild Fox kōan and Rinzai's Blind Ass. In…
On August 14, 2022, after meditation, we learned from Dharma teacher Pema Chödrön about the concept of "shenpa", how it related to our suffering, our feeling of being "stuck", and…
On July 10, 2022, after meditation, the group watched three short Dharma teachings by Her Eminence Mindrolling Jetsün Khandro Rinpoche, all of which were given in response to practitioners' questions,…
On June 12, 2022, after meditation we listened to a Dharma talk - "Zazen is Not About Progress" - from Shōhaku Okumura about the difference between a goal and a…
On May 8, 2022, after meditation, we shared a collection of short talks by Chozen Bays Roshi with practical advice on the most basic practice how-tos: "From Sitting Postures to…
On April 10, 2022, after meditation, we shared a talk on the Tibetan Lojong teaching of: "Turning Adversity Into the Path of Awakening" by Fred Eppsteiner. In his talk, Fred also…
On March 13, 2022, after meditation, we honored Women History Month by sharing a talk from Ven. Tathālokā on the topic of "The Role of Bhikkhunis." After meditation, we briefly shared the…
On February 13, 2022, after meditation, we met online for a Teachers’ Corner session to learn from the recently departed Zen Master Thich Nhất Hạnh about the practice of “Mindfulness”.…