Spirit Rock Meditation Center: dharma talks and meditation instruction

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The teachings of the Buddha (Dharma) and the practices of Insight Meditation (Vipassana) and loving-kindness meditation (metta) are at the heart of all the programs we offer at Spirit Rock. Practicing Insight Meditation develops mindfulness, the capacity to pay attention to each moment of life and to see clearly the truth of our experience. Studying the Dharma provides insights into the conditions that define and limit our experience of life. And cultivating an attitude of loving-kindness allows us to stay present to what's true and what's difficult in our lives with compassion for ourselves and others. Ultimately, our relationship to life is transformed as we learn to live more wisely and kindly.

via dharmaseed.org


    • May 29, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekdays NEW EPISODES
    • 1h 2m AVG DURATION
    • 735 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Spirit Rock Meditation Center: dharma talks and meditation instruction

    Grace Fisher: Sitting down in the Middleness of Generosity

    Play Episode Listen Later May 29, 2025 63:43


    Devon Hase: Sampajanna: The Wisdom That Knows What To Do (Retreat at Spirit Rock)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2025 55:33


    (Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Reflections on awareness + wisdom and how to bring the practice home.

    Heidi Bourne : SIt Down, Be Still, Let Go

    Play Episode Listen Later May 28, 2025 71:02


    Devon Hase: Techniques for Accessing Awareness (Retreat at Spirit Rock)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 27, 2025 58:28


    (Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Summary of ways to recognize awareness and guidance on resting practice.

    Devon Hase: Turn, Recognize, Rest (Retreat at Spirit Rock)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2025 61:17


    (Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Teachings on using vitakka and vicara to connect with and recognize the nature of awareness.

    Devon Hase: Whole-Hearted Response: What Remains In Emptiness (Retreat at Spirit Rock)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2025 49:04


    (Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Teachings on emptiness and the love that is waiting for us as we learn to let go.

    James Baraz: Awareness Doesn't Care: Mindfulness, the Equal Opportunity Liberator

    Play Episode Listen Later May 22, 2025 45:25


    (Spirit Rock Meditation Center) We may think some experiences are better than others to support awakening, but the Buddha said otherwise. This talk explores the liberative quality of mindfulness and the implications of this understanding.

    Brett Wheeler: Mindfulness as Holding

    Play Episode Listen Later May 21, 2025 59:23


    Susie Harrington: Morning Instructions: Balance in Practice (Retreat at Spirit Rock)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2025 59:37


    Susie Harrington: The Art of Meditation (Retreat at Spirit Rock)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2025 62:59


    (Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Finding the balance of effort and letting go is the art of meditation practice. This applies both to times of ease in practice and in the greater challenges of meeting the hindrances. We have the opportunity to use every moment as a portal to wisdom and compassion.

    Devon Hase: An Appropriate Response: Teachings for Our Times

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2025 106:41


    Devon Hase, Susie Harrington: Mindfulness of Breathing (Retreat at Spirit Rock)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 18, 2025 40:48


    (Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Teachings and guided practice on mindfulness of the breath.

    Grace Fisher: Balancing in the Winds

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2025 63:27


    (Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Meditation & Dharma Talk

    Grace Fisher: Balancing in the Winds

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2025 63:27


    (Spirit Rock Meditation Center)

    James Baraz: Anguttara Nikaya 1.483

    Play Episode Listen Later May 15, 2025 48:04


    (Spirit Rock Meditation Center) The Anguttara Nikaya is one of the five Nikayas (collections) that constitute the Sutta Pitaka, which is part of the Pali Tipitaka, the Theravada Buddhist canon. It is also known as the "Numerical Discourses" or "Gradual Collection". The Anguttara Nikaya is organized numerically, with suttas grouped into eleven books (nipatas) based on the number of items discussed within them. For example, the "Book of the Ones" contains suttas about a single topic, the "Book of the Twos" contains suttas about pairs of things, and so on

    Pawan Bareja: Interconnection Practices

    Play Episode Listen Later May 11, 2025 59:03


    (Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Meditation & Dharma Talk

    Kevin Griffin: Step 5 and Right Speech

    Play Episode Listen Later May 10, 2025 63:56


    (Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Meditation & dharma talk

    Donald Rothberg: Understanding and Responding to the World on the Basis of Core Teachings and Practices 2

    Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2025 67:28


    (Spirit Rock Meditation Center) We first review of some of the themes explored last week. We look at the appropriateness of understanding and responding to social and political concerns, in the context of non-profit organizations and then in the context of the Buddha's teachings (which involved commentary on the caste system, on the origins of wars and poverty) and later Buddhist traditions (for example, King Ashoka, a practitioner in what is now India in 250 B.C.E. eliminated the death penalty, renounced war, and set up medical facilities for non-human animals). We then identify four foundations for bringing our attention to social and political concerns, including staying connected to the vision and practice of awakening and grounding ethically. This is followed by identifying, through the lens of teachings, six contemporary systems and ideologies (strengthened in the current U.S.) that manifest greed, aversion, and delusion and violate core ethical teachings. Then we look briefly at ways of practicing and responding individually, in connection with community. The talk is followed by discussion.

    Donald Rothberg: Guided Meditation: Exploring Emotions and Thoughts Connected to Contemporary Social and Political Events 2

    Play Episode Listen Later May 7, 2025 40:16


    (Spirit Rock Meditation Center) We begin with some guidance on developing samadhi (concentration) and stability, followed by practicing developing samadhi. After about 10 minutes developing samadhi, we move to mindfulness practice. After about another 10 minutes of practice, we then inquire into some of the emotions and thoughts that have been present recently, whether difficult or joyful, related to the current state of the society and world. We first relive a recent experience and then bring mindfulness to the somatic, emotional, and mental dimensions of experience. While staying silent, we also have a sense of being in community and sharing our experience. We then work with Kristen Neff's three-step self-compassion practice (shifting to a three-step joy or mudita practice if the experiences have been more positive).

    Gullu Singh: "There is no Self - the Granddaddy of all Fake Buddha Quotes"

    Play Episode Listen Later May 4, 2025 73:12


    (Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Meditation & Dharma Talk

    Grace Fisher: Spring Cleaning

    Play Episode Listen Later May 1, 2025 62:52


    (Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Meditation & Dharma Talk

    Donald Rothberg: Understanding and Responding to the World on the Basis of Core Teachings and Practices 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2025 63:13


    (Spirit Rock Meditation Center) We first explore in general the relationship of core teachings and practices to the social and political dimensions of our lives. We see that Buddhist practice in the West has commonly emphasized meditation and inner practices, often neglecting or marginalizing the ethical training that traditionally is one of the three dimensions of training, even though the Buddha did often give social commentary (e.g., on the caste system) and at times social interpretations of the ethical precepts ("Let one not destroy life nor cause others to destroy life and, also, not approve of others' killing. . . . Let one not cause to steal, nor approve of others' stealing.'). We explore a vision of individual and collective awakening, inspired in part by more contemporary traditions of socially engaged Buddhism initially developed by pioneers like Thich Nhat Hanh, Sulak Sivaraksa, A.T. Ariyaratne, Dr. Ambedkar, Joanna Macy, and Robert Aitken. Then we give some attention to how to connect inner and outer practices, particularly focusing, as we did in the guided meditation, on practicing with challenging emotions and thoughts, and clarifying ways to act in the world. The talk is followed by discussion and ends with the setting of intentions.

    Donald Rothberg: Guided Meditation: Exploring Emotions and Thoughts Connected to Contemporary Social and Political Events

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 30, 2025 42:51


    (Spirit Rock Meditation Center) After about 25 minutes of lightly guided practice, to settle with concentration and/or mindfulness practice, we explore in several ways some of the emotions and thoughts that have been present related to the current state of the society and world. We first relive a recent experience and then bring mindfulness to the somatic, emotional, and mental dimensions of experience. We then work with Kristen Neff's three-step self-compassion practice, leading to developing intentions for how to practice with such experiences in the future.

    Grace Fisher: This Being Human is Hard

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2025 62:18


    (Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Begins with a 30m meditation and is followed by a Dharma talk. (Group discussion is omitted).

    Carol Cano: Weave the Dharma with Indigenous Wisdom

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 19, 2025 37:38


    (Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Both our oral traditions that value the interconnectedness of all relations.

    Carol Cano: Metta and Interconnectedness with All Beings (Retreat at Spirit Rock)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2025 39:15


    (Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Reclaim our relationship with our beloved Earth through Metta and Indigenous wisdom.

    Grace Fisher: Embracing the Renewal and Presence of Spring

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2025 58:30


    (Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Meditation & Dharma Talk

    JD Doyle: Practicing with Vedana and the Sacred Pause

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 16, 2025 24:09


    Tuere Sala: Morning Meditation Instructions (Retreat at Spirit Rock)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 12, 2025 55:09


    (Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Vedena and thoughts.

    Tuere Sala: Metta and Right Speech (Retreat at Spirit Rock)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2025 77:06


    Kevin Griffin: Step 4 and Mental Purification

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2025 72:49


    (Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Meditation & Dharma Talk

    Grace Fisher: Finding Stillness

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 10, 2025 57:17


    (Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Sit & Dharma Talk

    Donald Rothberg: Talk: The Practice of Developing Samadhi (Concentration)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2025 61:45


    (Spirit Rock Meditation Center) This talks focuses on one of the three areas of practice discussed a week before, on developing samadhi (or concentration), the theme of Donald's four weeks of practice in March. We begin by more generally discussing the nature of samadhi, including short account of the etymology in Pali, and the Tibetan sense of samadhi as "staying," as developing in the nine stages of the "Elephant Path." We look at the place and importance of developing samadhi in our practice and its relationship to insight practice; developing samadhi is one of the eight factors of the Noble Eightfold Path and appears in many of the Buddha's core teachings. We discuss some ways to practice developing samadhi, and then focus especially on several challenges of such practice and how to work with such challenges. The talk is followed by discussion, including further exploration of the relationship of cultivating samadhi and insight practice, the nature of skillful effort, and the joy that can arise in the development of samadhi.

    Donald Rothberg: Guided Meditation: Developing Samadhi (Concentration) 2

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2025 40:26


    (Spirit Rock Meditation Center) This guided meditation gives more detail on developing samadhi than the guided meditation from a week ago. First, after a brief overview of the nature of samadhi (usually translated as "concentration"), instructions are given for a practice session developing samadhi, including on posture, gaze, possible objects of focus, and skillful effort. Midway through the session, some further guidance is given on "intensifying," which helps both to deepen samadhi and to cut through background thinking as well as foreground thinking.

    Lissa Edmond: Sacred Kindness and Friendliness

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 9, 2025 86:56


    Cara Lai: Unpacking Equanimity (Retreat at Spirit Rock)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2025 50:25


    (Spirit Rock Meditation Center) The deepest kind of peace: what it is, what it isn't, how it relates to boundaries and action in the world, and how to find it.

    Jessica Morey: The Liberating Power of Compassion (Retreat at Spirit Rock)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2025 52:29


    (Spirit Rock Meditation Center) In this talk, we explore compassion as a liberating force—one that allows us to stay present with suffering so we can respond with wise action. Drawing on the myth of Avalokiteśvara, the science of empathy, and the felt experience of care, compassion becomes a courageous presence rooted in tenderness and connection. We also reflect on how a deep understanding of dukkha, paired with a direct knowing of freedom, strengthens our compassion and helps us see the wish for liberation as real and available—even in the most difficult places.

    Cara Lai: Instructions on Metta for the Difficult Person (Retreat at Spirit Rock)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2025 44:51


    (Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Sensing into a field of support and care hat can hold it all, even the enemy.

    Heidi Bourne : I am Listening Intently

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2025 53:34


    (Spirit Rock Meditation Center)

    Jessica Morey: Receiving Care Meditation (Retreat at Spirit Rock)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2025 44:39


    (Spirit Rock Meditation Center) This guided meditation is inspired by John Makransky's Field of Care meditation where we practice first receiving kindness and care from a benefactor or kind moment and then include others into that field of care.

    Oren Jay Sofer: A Gentle Introduction to Metta Practice (Retreat at Spirit Rock)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2025 60:16


    (Spirit Rock Meditation Center) In this guided meditation with instructions, we begin with connecting with the felt sense of metta, then explore offering phrases for a benefactor, mentor, or good friend.

    Oren Jay Sofer: The Courage to Love (Retreat at Spirit Rock)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2025 45:24


    (Spirit Rock Meditation Center) In this talk from the first night of a weeklong silent retreat, Oren Jay Sofer explores mettā (lovingkindness) as both refuge and strength. Framing the Buddhist path as a practice of wise relationship, he offers several ways to cultivate mettā, inviting us to consider what it means to relate to life with warmth, steadiness, and care—even in a world of change and uncertainty.

    Cara Lai: Gentle Mindfulness Instructions (Retreat at Spirit Rock)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2025 42:14


    (Spirit Rock Meditation Center) When we hear the words "be mindful," it often makes us think we have to intensify and be vigilant. But quite the opposite is true. This guided meditation is meant to help us find a softer, more receptive and sustainable way of being present.

    Donald Rothberg: Reflections on Three Themes from a Four-Week Retreat: Listening Deeply, Developing Samadhi (Concentration) through Practicing the Jhanas, and Integrating Retreat Practice with Daily Life

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2025 65:04


    (Spirit Rock Meditation Center) In the talk, Donald reflects on having just completed, four days before the talk, four weeks of practice at Spirit Rock. He particularly focuses on three themes from the retreat, exploring each theme in terms of both its retreat context and its daily life context. The first is the theme of listening deeply to one's own "intuition" and what "calls." The second is the theme of developing samadhi (usually translated as "concentration"--the unified mind and heart and body) and in particular practicing the eight jhanas as taught by the Buddha. The third is the theme of bringing the retreat learning and explorations into daily life, and how in particular to cultivate the first two themes in the daily life context. The talk is followed by discussion.

    Donald Rothberg: Guided Meditation: Developing Samadhi (Concentration)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 2, 2025 41:31


    (Spirit Rock Meditation Center) We begin with a brief account of the nature of samadhi (usually translated as "concentration"), and then give instructions for developing samadhi in formal meditation. (We'll come back to discuss samadhi in more depth in the talk.) There are several reminders during the meditation to return to the focus on cultivating samadhi. In the last part of the meditation, we connect the greater stability that's developed in the practice of cultivating samadhi with cultivating mindfulness.

    Tara Mulay: Spiritual Friendship (Retreat at Spirit Rock)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2025 47:28


    Grace Fisher: Opening the Window of Doubt

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2025 62:29


    (Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Meditation & Dharma Talk

    Tuere Sala: The Importance of Emptiness, Hiri and Ottappa

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 24, 2025 55:51


    Devin Berry: The Lion's Roar: Courage in These Times

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 23, 2025 37:14


    (Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Rooted in the simile of the Lion Sutta (4.33), this talk explores how the power of the Lion's roar—Buddha-Dharma—awakens the courage to face suffering with clarity, inner steadiness, and a heart aligned with truth and presence.

    Kristina Bare: Dispassion as Pathway to the Peace of Letting Go (Retreat at Spirit Rock)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2025 46:51


    (Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Seeing impermanence leads to dispassion and letting go into deepening peace.

    Tara Mulay: The Five Aggregates: Sankhara & Consciousness (Retreat at Spirit Rock)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2025 51:44


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