Dave Smith Dharma

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Talks and meditation instructions from Dave Smith, Dharma Teacher, Mindfulness Trainer, Secular Humanist...recovering buddhist. These talks and instructions are offered to you free of charge. If you are moved by generosity, and would like to support me in my livelihood, making a donation would be g…

dave smith


    • May 2, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • every other week NEW EPISODES
    • 41m AVG DURATION
    • 353 EPISODES

    4.9 from 93 ratings Listeners of Dave Smith Dharma that love the show mention: dharma, buddhist, dave, practice, modern, talks, relatable, thanks.


    Ivy Insights

    The Dave Smith Dharma podcast is a wonderful resource for anyone interested in Buddhism and meditation. As a long-time practicing Buddhist, I was introduced to Dave's teachings by a friend and have found them to be excellent and influential in my own spiritual journey. One of the best aspects of this podcast is Dave's genuine and down-to-earth delivery. He shares his direct experiences, foibles, and struggles, making it relatable and inspiring for listeners like myself. There is no pretense in his teachings, which opens the door for all of us to engage with the material on a deeper level.

    Another great aspect of this podcast is that Dave's teachings are thoughtful and accessible. He presents complex concepts in a way that is easy to understand, making them applicable to everyday life. His vulnerability, humor, compassion, and grace shine through in each episode, creating an engaging and enjoyable listening experience. I have found his guidance and instructions to be incredibly helpful in my own practice.

    Additionally, Dave has a unique talent for distilling Buddhist concepts from the original texts into relatable lessons for modern life. He bridges the gap between traditional teachings and our everyday experiences with wisdom and depth. This has deepened my understanding of meditation and Buddhism as a whole.

    Furthermore, I had the opportunity to meet Dave during one of his retreats at the Durango Dharma Center, which was an enlightening experience. This personal encounter only solidified my appreciation for his teachings even more.

    However, one potential downside of this podcast might be that it may not appeal to those seeking traditional reflections on Buddhist practice or more academic dharma talks. Dave's style is relatable without losing depth, but some individuals may prefer a more scholarly approach.

    In conclusion, The Dave Smith Dharma podcast is an invaluable resource for anyone seeking guidance on their spiritual path. It offers thoughtful teachings delivered with vulnerability and humor that make them relatable to everyday life. Dave's ability to distill complex concepts into practical lessons is exceptional, and his influence has been transformative for many listeners. I am grateful for the impact this podcast has had on my own practice and strongly recommend it to others seeking dharma talks and guided meditations rooted in the original Buddhist texts.



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    Latest episodes from Dave Smith Dharma

    Talk: Sudden & Gradual

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2025 39:02


    Found within the Zen tradition, this talk explores the paradox of a sudden awakening followed by a gradual cultivation. It explores the idea of what does it mean to "practice". This was given in person at the Durango Dharma Center. https://www.durangodharmacenter.org/ 

    8 fold path: talk(s)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 23, 2025 355:35


    This is by far the longest and most thorough talk on the 8 fold path that you will ever find. 5:55. I spliced it all together here for you because it is what I do. If you want to offer some support and send some $$ my way. Much appreciated. https://www.davesmithdharma.com/contact/

    fold path talk
    Four kinds of Mindfulness: talk

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2025 24:48


    Existential, therapeutic, contemplative, ethical. 

    Dark Dharma: rant 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2025 21:30


    Due to much chatter amongst the crowd, I have further unpacked my thoughts around the previous rant. Come and see fo yo self. 

    Dark Dharma: rant...

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 16, 2025 19:31


    The dark side of the Dharma is real, and mostly ignored. Some thoughts on the matter. 

    Addiction Economy: talk (PSA)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 24, 2025 20:54


    This talks highlights the reality that the attention economy is over, we are now in the addiction economy. You have been warned. Double down on your practice. This talk was given at the DSD mentoring group. If you are interested in joining you can check out this LINK. 

    Path and View: talk

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 21, 2025 59:45


    Final talk from my NYE Retreat in Bay St. Louis Mississippi. Thanks to Flowering Lotus Meditation. https://www.floweringlotusmeditation.org/Join my Wednesday Night class: Dharma Live/Online sign up for free.  HERE

    Relevance: talk

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 21, 2025 19:59


    A talk from my Sunday mentoring group. You can find out more HERE

    Practice Overview: talk

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 7, 2025 27:17


    Meditation instruction overview from morning session day 1. Flowering Lotus Meditation, NYE retreat in Bay Louis Mississippi. 

    Explaining vs. Training: Talk

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 6, 2025 20:45


    First mentoring session of 2025. From my Sunday program. We do have space for new students. You can find out more: https://www.davesmithdharma.com/mentoring/

    Interview: Maureen Fallon-Cyr

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 18, 2024 51:14


    Maureen Fallon-Cyr, LCSW is a clinical social worker, meditation teacher, and certified Hakomi therapist. She has worked as a mindfulness-based psychotherapist with children and adults for over 30 years, specializing in trauma, somatic release work, and depth psychology. A lover of Dharma, she has sat multiple long retreats and served on the teaching council of the Durango Dharma Center for eight years, teaching meditation, mindfulness 12-Step work, mindful parenting, and householder practices. Weaving together her practices of mindfulness and psychology, she developed Essence-OrientedTM Release Work, outlined in her new book, Reimagining Success: Manifesting Happiness and Fulfillment. With her husband Mark, who is a psychiatrist, they have developed True Success For All, a program that empowers people to more fully realize their potential and what it means to live a truly successful life. Website:  True Success For All      https://www.truesuccessforall.com/Upcoming Training in Essence-Oriented Therapy True Success Boston Training

    Secular 8 fold

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 22, 2024 55:00


    Talk number 5 Big Bear Retreat.  A secular perspective on the 8-fold path. Compliments to Stephen Batchelor. 

    Dharma Approach: talk

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2024 32:31


    This the opening talk from the Big Bear, sure hearts' release retreat. It covers my approach to the practice. 

    Entering the Stream: talk

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2024 54:39


    Talk number 4 from the Big Bear Retreat. It covers the idea of stream entry and nibbana. 

    Complete Perspective: talk

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2024 57:09


    Talk 2 from the Big Bear retreat. Refections on right view as a complete perspective.  A secular vision. 

    Arising of Reactivity: talk

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 21, 2024 57:51


    Talk number 3, Big Bear Retreat. This talk covers the entire dimension of the 2nd noble truth. Without the noble truth crap. 

    Middle way: talk

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 17, 2024 20:19


    This talk discusses how to cultivate a middle way between the having mode and the being mode. This talk was given at my weekly Dharma Live/Online class. You can sign up for free HERE.

    A crisis of meaning: talk

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 3, 2024 17:20


    The opening talk for the recently updated Dharma/Live Online class. You can now join for no fee. The class is offered as a drop in anytime type of thing. You can do that here: SIGN-UP

    Mindfulness and the middle way: talk

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 3, 2024 36:08


    This talk was given at the Durango Dharma Center as part of their Monday night offerings. Enjoy. 

    On Cultivation: Talk

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2024 45:41


    Talk one, from Vallecitos retreat with JD Doyle. Entitled: On Cultivation. 

    Authentic Happiness: talk

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 23, 2024 59:18


    Talk two from Vallecitos retreat Center with JD Doyle. Exploring authentic happiness and the awakened life.  

    Gratification, danger, escape: talk

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 18, 2024 32:27


    The triad of gratification, danger, and escape is one of the Buddha's most concise and simple teachings for investigating everyday lived experience. This formula can be applied to every single aspect of our experience. Many Buddhist scholars point out that this teaching contains the earliest roots of what we have come to know as the four noble truths, the basic framework for all Buddhist traditions.What is interesting about this simple teaching is that the Buddha came to this realization before his awakening. He discusses this triad on four separate occasions, relating them to the aggregates, feelings (vedana), the four elements and the six sense doors. The sheer simplicity of this teaching provides a framework for understanding human experience, particularly for those of us living in the digital complexity of the modern world. This is not a realization given from high diction, or a pedestal of great wisdom and knowledge. Nor does it seek to bewilder us with metaphysics such as teachings on non-self, emptiness, rebirth and karma. Instead, it is easily understood and readily available to any of us, at any point in our process. 

    Nibbana for everyone: talk

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 16, 2024 48:33


    Reflections on Nibbana. Reference to attentional systems in the brain. Given at Rocky Mt. Ecodharma August 2024. 

    Middle way: Talk

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 14, 2024 50:14


    First talk from Rocky Mt. Ecodharma. August 2024. 

    Buddhist authoritarianism: talk/rant

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 13, 2024 21:31


     A fun little rant and dealing with dogma all "isms" in general. Enjoy. 

    Meditation Systems: talk

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2024 19:03


    That talk offers a brief overview of the various meditative systems within the theravada tradition. This talk was given for my Sunday mentoring group. If you are interested in being part of the practice group and seek 1:1 mentoring, check out this link.

    Citta 2: talk

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 12, 2024 60:17


    Talk number two on citta. This talk emphasizes the role of the bramha viharas. 

    Citta 1: talk

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 11, 2024 57:27


    This is the first talk of two. Given at Vallecitos in July 2024.  It offers reflections on mind or citta. 

    Cultivation and the solar buddha: talk

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2024 56:43


    Talk 1: Rocky Mt. Eco Dharma Retreat. Natural Awareness and Wisdom. 

    Effort, hindrances, awakening factors: talk

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2024 62:40


    Talk 3: Rocky Mt. Eco Dharma Retreat. Natural Awareness and Wisdom. 

    Dharma transmissions: talk

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2024 59:06


    Talk 4: Rocky Mt. Eco Dharma Retreat. Natural Awareness and Wisdom. Personal reflections on dharmic interventions. Emphasis on: faith, courage, service and authenticity. 

    4 foundations/satipatthana: talk

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2024 61:05


    Talk 2: Rocky Mt. Eco Dharma Retreat. Natural Awareness and Wisdom. Exploring the full implications of the teachings on mindfulness. 

    Metta and it's qualities: talk

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2024 61:02


    Talk 5: Rocky Mt. Eco Dharma Retreat. Natural Awareness and Wisdom. The full entire teachings on metta and it's friends. 

    secular 8-fold path: talk

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2024 63:31


    fold secular path talk
    A life worth living: talk

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 4, 2024 60:52


    Final evening talk. Exploring secular perspectives on the 8 fold path. Adopting a non-orthodox take on this core teaching. Southern Dharma retreat, mindfulness and the four noble truths. 

    The arising of reactivity: talk

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 3, 2024 65:28


    Evening two talk from the Southern Dharma retreat. Mindfulness and the four noble truths. 

    Faith: talk

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2024 59:30


    Evening one Dharma talk. Southern Dharma NC, mindfulness and the four noble truths. 

    The Dharma of Addiction: talk (again)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2024 43:58


    A talk on the Dharma of Addiction. Given in Tulsa Ok. May 2023. Online addiction coarse. 

    3 kinds of Mindfulness. Overview of concepts/talk

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2024 70:18


    Mindfulness is understood to have different applications of different occasions for different purposes. These ideas have been discovered form the work of academics of early buddhist discourse (pali texts: Gethin/Kuan)These crucial teachings have been further developed by Stephen Batchelor and are a core component to his program, Mindfulness Based Ethical Living (MBEL).These 3 talks, where given at the morning instructions for mindfulness and the four noble truths. They are edited together here for your convenience to offer a comprehensive overview. Here, the first 3 are described: existential, therapeutic, and contemplative. Ethical mindfulness is not yet discussed.thanks!

    Dharma of Addiction

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 22, 2024 35:39


    Another talk on the dharma of addiction. This was given at the Albq insight group. https://abqinsight.org/

    What is Dharma?

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 22, 2024 28:20


    Talk given recently at the Durango Dharma Center. Exploring seven ways the term dharma is used in the pali texts. Enjoy!

    Clinging and non-clinging: talk

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 21, 2024 42:50


    This talk was given for Big Heart City. https://www.bigheartcity.org/

    4 sets of 3: training, refuge, characteristics, systems: talk

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 20, 2024 97:08


    4 talks put together. Exploring the sets lists: 3 kinds of mind training, 3 refuges, 3 characteristics, and the 3 trainings of the 8 fold path. This was given over several weeks for dharma live online. Sign up here: https://www.davesmithdharma.com/live-groups/ 

    Buddhist modernism & truth: talk

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 29, 2024 31:31


    Two talks edited together that outline the location of dharma in American and potential side-effects. 

    american truth talk buddhist modernism
    states & traits: talk

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 29, 2024 27:06


    These 2 talks, edited together explore the importance of distinguishing traits and states. 

    Turning point: talk

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 29, 2024 32:56


    This two talks are spliced together. I explore the idea of a "turning point" in our life and in our practice. 

    20 years sober (6-12-2003): talk from summer 2023

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2024 23:50


    Random and scattered reflections on 20 years of sobriety. Thanks!

    8 fold path: TALK

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2024 154:05


    This is a LONG talk. 8 separate talks spliced together from my weekly mentoring program. It offers academic perspectives on the 8 fold path and its cultivated, along with secular and contemporary points of view in hopes to bring the practice of the 8 fold path to life. Enjoy. If you are interested in joining the mentoring sangha you can find out more HERE.

    fold path talk
    Grateful-Sorrow: Talk

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2024 31:07


    Reflections on view related to joy/sorrow & gratitude/compasssion. 

    Metta: talk

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 7, 2024 25:29


    Overview of metta practice. This was given at the 2023 NYE retreat at Big Bear. Dave and Cheryl. 

    2024 Teacher Checkin': talk

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 7, 2024 46:22


    These 2 talks are edited together, they are very similar. Given for my weekly Dharma/Live Online class and also for students in the mentoring program. This transparent talk offers specific reflection on how approach the practice and teaching of the dharma. To join us: https://www.davesmithdharma.com/live-groups/ 

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