I teach both in-person and online.
For in-person events, see the Live Teachings page. Hybrid events are listed on both pages.
All times are Pacific.
Events are also listed on the Calendar page.
Dharma Talks (join via link from the sangha's website, if not listed)
Daylongs and Half-Days
Co-taught with Gregory Kramer.
This is a Sati Center event. Information and Registration here.
The Pāli suttas name the voice of another and wise attention as the key factors for the arising of right view, or wisdom. This defines speaking and listening practice as foundational to the Eightfold Path. We can see why spiritual friendship (kalyanamitta) is named as the most important external factor for walking the Eightfold Path, and wise attention the most important internal factor.
On this retreat, we will learn to meditate together with the root wisdom texts. The multi-layered, methodical, and relational meditation practice of Dharma Contemplation is a potent practice by which the discourses of the Buddha can come alive for us. The layers of DC help us to embrace and aim the power of the sensate body, the conceiving mind, and intuitive understanding. Dharma Contemplation directly engages the meditative qualities cultivated in silent meditation and the relational power of spiritual friendship in a deep encounter with the Dhamma. The practice, evolved in this form by Gregory Kramer, was developed within the ancient spiritual traditions of reading sacred texts and the establishment of the relational meditation practice of Insight Dialogue. (Experience with ID is not required for this program).
During this program, we will enter intimate relationship with key suttas on friendship and right view. We will experience how friendship and wisdom practice are inextricably linked. In pairs, and small and large groups—and occasionally alone—we will learn and practice the five phases of Dharma Contemplation.
Ongoing drop-in groups, all welcome:
Join us for an evening of sitting, Dharma reflections, and Q&A on a couple of Tuesdays per month. My schedule does not allow a regular set of days, so I will publish the upcoming sessions here on this page. We may eventually develop a group mailing list.
We’ll explore themes from the Buddhist teachings as they apply to our lives here and now, with an emphasis on practice, contemplation, and opening to the fullness of this spiritual path. The group is for self-selected dedicated practitioners – join when you feel drawn to do so.
For in-person events, see the Live Teachings page. Hybrid events are listed on both pages.
All times are Pacific.
Events are also listed on the Calendar page.
Dharma Talks (join via link from the sangha's website, if not listed)
- Wed, Aug 30, 7:00-8:00pm -- Book event with the Sati Center on my new book, Full Simplicity. Register here.
- Tues, Sept 5, 7:00-9:00pm Mountain time (6-8 Pacific) -- Boulder Insight Sangha online
- Sun, Oct 8, 6:00-7:30pm -- Marin Sangha
- Wed, Mar 20, 6:30-8:30pm -- Insight San Diego
Daylongs and Half-Days
- Sat, Dec 2, 9:00am-12:30pm -- Spiritual Friendship and Right View: An Exploration through Dharma Contemplation
Co-taught with Gregory Kramer.
This is a Sati Center event. Information and Registration here.
The Pāli suttas name the voice of another and wise attention as the key factors for the arising of right view, or wisdom. This defines speaking and listening practice as foundational to the Eightfold Path. We can see why spiritual friendship (kalyanamitta) is named as the most important external factor for walking the Eightfold Path, and wise attention the most important internal factor.
On this retreat, we will learn to meditate together with the root wisdom texts. The multi-layered, methodical, and relational meditation practice of Dharma Contemplation is a potent practice by which the discourses of the Buddha can come alive for us. The layers of DC help us to embrace and aim the power of the sensate body, the conceiving mind, and intuitive understanding. Dharma Contemplation directly engages the meditative qualities cultivated in silent meditation and the relational power of spiritual friendship in a deep encounter with the Dhamma. The practice, evolved in this form by Gregory Kramer, was developed within the ancient spiritual traditions of reading sacred texts and the establishment of the relational meditation practice of Insight Dialogue. (Experience with ID is not required for this program).
During this program, we will enter intimate relationship with key suttas on friendship and right view. We will experience how friendship and wisdom practice are inextricably linked. In pairs, and small and large groups—and occasionally alone—we will learn and practice the five phases of Dharma Contemplation.
Ongoing drop-in groups, all welcome:
- In This Very Life (sutta study), weekly on Friday online, 11am-noon, register by sending email. (I tell people about the readings by email). No prior experience with Buddhist texts is required, but if you are just starting, it will be "learn by doing" (in a friendly atmosphere!)
- Dedicated Practitioners Group
Tuesday evenings, about twice a month (upcoming dates are in the Dharma Talk list above)
6:30-8:00pm
Join us for an evening of sitting, Dharma reflections, and Q&A on a couple of Tuesdays per month. My schedule does not allow a regular set of days, so I will publish the upcoming sessions here on this page. We may eventually develop a group mailing list.
We’ll explore themes from the Buddhist teachings as they apply to our lives here and now, with an emphasis on practice, contemplation, and opening to the fullness of this spiritual path. The group is for self-selected dedicated practitioners – join when you feel drawn to do so.
Series Classes and Retreats:
Full Simplicity
A 6-week online program with Kim Allen
Four Sundays: Oct 22, Nov 5, Nov 19, and Dec 3
10:00am-12:00pm Pacific
This is a special program based on Kim's new book, Full Simplicity: The Art of Renunciation and Letting Go
More information and Registration here
Hybrid Weekend Retreat on The Seven Factors of Awakening
Hosted by Show Me Dharma in Columbia, MO
Oct 13-15
This retreat will be onsite in Columbia, MO (Central US Time), but also available on Zoom.
When the mind has even the beginnings of seclusion and ease, the Seven Factors of Awakening begin to emerge. The Buddha named these beautiful qualities as the key supports for liberating insight, and we can cultivate them in many ways over the entirety of our Dharma path. In this retreat, the emphasis will be on direct bodily experience in increasingly subtle forms. We will deepen our recognition of the factors of awakening as they are occurring for us.
This silent retreat includes guided, silent, and inquiry meditation; walking; Dharma teachings; and Q&A. It is suitable for practitioners of all levels who have already received basic instructions in mindfulness meditation.
Fear, Dread, and Freedom
Dec 5, 7, and 9, 2023 (Tues, Thurs, Sat)
8:30-10:00am
Co-taught with Ying Chen, David Lorey, and Diana Clark
The Buddha faced immense challenges along his path to Awakening, including fear, dread, and persistent distractions. How might we learn from his experience and teachings to engage our own challenges in practice or in life? In this course, we will read suttas in which people encounter difficulties along the path, as well as suttas treating challenging topics like death. The Buddha’s compassion and wisdom come forth as he encourages skillful engagement with even the deepest difficulties – those with the potential to transform the mind.
This course includes teachings, meditation, and small group discussion.
Mindfulness as the Foundation (2024)
An online retreat through InsightLA
Oct 20-26, 2024 (Sun-Sat online)
Co-taught with Lienchi Tran
In this 6-night retreat, we will explore mindfulness practice based on the Four Establishments of Mindfulness with an emphasis on awareness and wisdom. In this style, we encourage practicing with a natural and relaxed attitude while developing continuity of awareness with present moment experience. We will strengthen mindfulness by devoting much of each day to formal sitting and walking practice. Some retreatants may wish to dedicate themselves fully to home retreat during this week. Others may have responsibilities with work or family, while still retaining a core of many hours of formal practice. Because our aim is to cultivate more continuous mindfulness, attending in a relaxed manner to our ordinary daily activities can also support our practice.
Note that this is a 2024 retreat.
https://insightla.org/event/mindfulness-as-the-foundation-2024/