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.
(Spirit Rock Meditation Center)
(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Begins with a 30m meditation & includes a dharma talk. (Group discussion has been omitted.)
(Spirit Rock Meditation Center)
(Spirit Rock Meditation Center)
(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Meditation & Dharma Talk
(Spirit Rock Meditation Center)
(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Begins with a 30m meditation & includes a dharma talk. (Group discussion has been omitted.)
(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) The Buddha said the one reflection to always keep in mind is Impermanence, Anicca in Pali. When we have a deep understanding of impermanence we are more able to let go. However, there is an upside to impermanence too. No matter how difficult things are they will change. Often overlooked, this aspect of impermanence can give us courage and resolve in the face of hardship. Opening to the truth of impermanence deepens our capacity to be balanced in the face of change. This talk will explore this topic and how we can apply it in our lives.
(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Revolutionary Practice in 2026: Curiosity, Playfulness & BIPOC Joy
(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Begins with a 30m meditation & includes a dharma talk. (Group discussion has been omitted.)
(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Dhama Talk
(Spirit Rock Meditation Center)
(Spirit Rock Meditation Center)
(Spirit Rock Meditation Center)
(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Begins with a 30m meditation & includes a dharma talk. (Group discussion has been omitted.)
(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) The talk explores the sutta, The Advice to Anathapindika. The sutta reveals how Anathapindika bestowed the teachings of non-clinging and letting to those of us who ar householders. The talk concludes with a current story of a near death experience that embodies the realization of the goodness of the dharma.
(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Dharma Talk. (Group discussion has been omitted.)
(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) After a brief general account of the three ways of liberating insight, we look at each of the three--insights into impermanence, dukkha, and not-self--with a longer treatment of insight into not-self. There is an emphasis especially on how we practice in order to come to these insights. We close with a passage from Ajahn Chah pointing to the unity of developing samadhi and cultivating insight. The talk is followed by discussion.
(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) We review the nature of samadhi, how it is a natural quality that surfaces in many human experiences, and its importance in meditation (and the teachings of the Buddha). We briefly examine the five jhanic factors that point to how samadhi deepens. We also look at several of the main challenges that arise as we practice to develop samadhi.
(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Exploring the Normalcy of Death in Buddhism. Looking at the many ways Buddhism understands death: Death of the body; The life and death of each moment; Becoming harmonious with Death as part of Life; Death as a Doorway to the Deathless,
(Spirit Rock Meditation Center)
(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Begins with a 30m meditation & includes a dharma talk. (Group discussion has been omitted.)
(Spirit Rock Meditation Center)
(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) We continue the exploration from last week, beginning with Donald sharing a few of his experiences of being able to learn and practice when there have been differences of views and even conflicts. Then there is a review of some what we explored last week, including the importance in a functioning democracy of navigating differences of views, some of the factors making that harder in current times, and some of the practice supports for conversations when there are different views—both inner and outer (especially related to wise speech practice). We go further into exploring inner practices helpful when there are differences, including working with reactivity and difficult emotions, exploring views and options, and then the integrated inner and outer practice of cultivating empathy as a practice. The talk is followed by discussion, including several people sharing their own explorations with challenging conversations in the last week.
(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) We begin with settling and developing more concentration for about 10-12 minutes. Then we shift to mindfulness practice. In the last third of the session, there are instructions for exploring one's own views and opinions, including in relationship to others (connected with the talk).
(Spirit Rock Meditation Center)
(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Reflections on cultivating viriya and piti on the path. How to balance and empower the awakening factors.
(Spirit Rock Meditation Center)
(Spirit Rock Meditation Center)
(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Teachings on compassion emphasizing the ability to receive care. Guided meditation on Circle of Benefactors.
(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Meditation & Dharma Talk
(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Teachings and guided practice using vedana (feeling tone).
(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Begins with a 30m meditation & includes a dharma talk. (Group discussion has been omitted.)
(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) How do we bring our practice to challenging conversations and discussions, including there are major differences in views and positions, whether on spiritual or social-politlcal or daily life matters? This is both a perennial practice question and a particularly important one in the current times. We begin our first of two explorations inviting the participants to explore both their most successful and their most difficult or painful discussions across differences, asking about the qualities present with both. We outline first some current social conditions that make discussions with differences more challenging, while acknowledging that such discussions are at the heart of a healthy democracy. Then we explore several supports for skillful conversations when there are differences, including shared agreements (among individuals or in a group or organization), wise speech practice, the vision of the "beloved community" or universal metta, and a commitment to align means and ends. The talk is followed by discussion.
(Spirit Rock Meditation Center)
(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) In this evening talk, devon hase reflects on metta as a simple act of caring — the willingness to stay close to our own experience, even when it feels plain or uncertain. Through stories of early practice, pilgrimage, and everyday kindness, she shows how love reveals itself in ordinary moments, asking nothing special of us beyond our presence.
(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Meditation, Dharma talk, & short Metta practice
(Spirit Rock Meditation Center)
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