Daylongs and Half-Days
Joy and Tranquility through the Breath (Mar 2023)
This daylong is based on mindfulness of breathing, with an emphasis on the awakening factors of Joy and Tranquility. The coexistence of energizing qualities, calming qualities, and deep happiness characterizes this form of meditation. This retreat was offered through the Insight Retreat Center.
All sessions (multiple recordings)
The Cultivation of Knowledge: Understanding and Releasing Dukkha (July 2022)
The heart of Buddhist practice involves understanding and releasing dukkha (suffering or unsatisfactoriness). These are not static ideas to learn, but active knowledges to cultivate. When we set out to understand dukkha, that understanding begins one way, then changes as we mature in practice. The same is true for the task of letting go of dukkha. This half-day was offered through the Sati Center.
Audio
Video
The Skill of Non-Contention: MN 18, the Honeyball Sutta (Dec 2021) -- co-taught with Lienchi Tran
In the Honeyball Sutta (MN 18), the Buddha explains how the mind elaborates on simple experience to generate whole worlds, which then leads to conflict internally or externally. He also offers a wiser way of relating to experience through seeing the conditions that trigger discursive trains of thought.
Introduction and First Guided Meditation (Kim Allen)
Walking Instruction and Second Guided Meditation (Lienchi Tran)
Two Dharma Talks and Q&A (both)
The Inner Strength of Non-Obsession (Apr 2021)
A mind obsessed by wanting, ill will, opinions, etc, brings suffering for oneself and one's community. In contrast, a mind with little obsession is "well-disposed for Awakening." This is a half-day of samatha and vipassana practice on letting go of obsessive thinking and views.
Introduction
Guided Meditation: Samatha
Papanca - short teaching
Guided Meditation: Open awareness and papanca
Guided Meditation: Resting in awareness
Dharma Talk and Q&A: Building Inner Strength
Dharma Chariots: Three Teachings from the Suttas Using Chariot Imagery (Jan 2021)
Chariots are a common image in the classical teachings. How can we use them to "ride well into 2021"?
Spontaneous and Skillful Speech
Not-Self
Dharma Chariot Guided Meditation
Dharma talk: Living a Dharma Life
The Five Faculties: Doorways to Clarity and Balance (Aug 2020)
Faith, Energy, Mindfulness, Concentration, and Wisdom -- working together to strengthen the mind on the path.
Part 1 -- Morning session
Part 2 -- Afternoon session
Part 3 -- Dharma talk
Cultivating Complete View (Jun 2020)
Five key supports for the development of "right view," also called "complete view":
Faith, virtue, learning, generosity, and wisdom.
Part 1
Part 2
Widening the Range: The Four Noble Truths (Oct 2018)
This daylong presents a range of perspectives and tools that help us move out of "stuckness"
Here is a page with the whole series
Here are the individual pieces:
Introduction and initial guided meditation
"Get small" meditation
"Get big" meditation
"Focus on change" meditation
"Stay connected, but do nothing" meditation
Refuge, Path, and Wrap-Up
Dhamma for Scientists (July 2017)
A program of meditation, contemplation, and teachings about the resonances and differences between science and the Dharma. It is not about neuroscience. Teachings touch into topics such as investigation, the role of an objective observer, and the limits of cognitive knowledge in the development of the heart.
Here is a page with the whole series.
Here are the individual pieces:
Introduction, teaching on Investigation, Guided Meditation on observing breath, and Q&A
Five ways of knowing
Bringing in the Heart; our intentions; Guided Meditation on heart connection; Q&A
Changing our perceptions and views; Direct knowing; Three types of wisdom
Guided meditation: Direct knowing
Q&A about direct knowing
Going beyond the mind; practice tips; Guided Meditation -- rest and reconnect; Q&A
Meeting Change (June 2017)
Teachings on impermanence -- it evokes deep fear, and also provides deep refuge
Intro and Guided Meditation
Responses to Change
Why is this challenging?
Fearlessness
Peace
The Path of Transformation (Feb 2016)
In this day of Dhamma reflection and practice, we look at teachings from the early discourses of the Buddha on the topic of the transformation that occurs through Buddhist practice. In particular we read and discuss the Angulimala Sutta (MN 86), in which a murderer becomes enlightened, and the Paссa Sutta (AN 8.2), which lists eight conditions for acquiring wisdom.
Part 1
Part 2
Trusting the Process (Sept 2015) -- co-taught with Robert Cusick
A daylong devoted to exploring the changes in body and mind that occur through Dharma practice, and how to cultivate trust in allowing the process to fully unfold.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Renunciation in Lay Life -- What, Why, and How (Jan 2015) -- with special guests Ruby Grad, Mirka Knaster, and Oren Jay Sofer
While renunciation is commonly associated with Buddhist monastics, a growing number of Western lay practitioners are interested in how to live a nourishing life of lay renunciation. This daylong explored the possibilities, benefits, and challenges of renunciation in lay life.
Here is a page with the whole series.
Here are the parts:
Introduction (Kim Allen)
Trading Candy for Gold (Ruby Grad)
Anagarika (Kim Allen)
Munindra (Mirka Knaster)
Discussion (Kim Allen)
Benefit (Kim Allen)
Experience (Oren Jay Sofer)
Challenge Aspiration (Kim Allen)