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The greatest gift is the
gift of the teachings
 
Retreat Dharma Talks

Awakening Joy

“It is that gladness connected with the wholesome that I call an equipment of mind….for developing a mind that is without hostility and without ill will.”
-The Buddha

The Buddha was known as “The Happy One.” However, the teachings often seem to emphasize working with suffering. Joy and happiness can seem frivolous or unspiritual even though joy is one of the Seven Factors of Awakening. In this retreat we will practice with an emphasis on cultivating wholesome states to develop our natural capacity for well-being and happiness. Our own development of well-being and joy then becomes our gift to a troubled world.

2019-06-03 (7 days) Spirit Rock Meditation Center

  
2019-06-04 Day 1 Morning Instructions: Mindfulness of Body and Breath (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 1:13:30
Howard Cohn
Mindfulness of Body and Breath
2019-06-04 Day 1 Experiential Practice: Self-Compassion: Bringing Kindness to Experience (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 60:27
Dawn Mauricio
2019-06-04 Why "Awakening Joy"? (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 55:42
James Baraz
The Buddha was called "The Happy One", but often there is more emphasis on overcoming suffering then going for true happiness. It is beneficial to see the teachings in the light of cultivating wholesome states as well - leading to the highest happiness of freedom.
2019-06-05 Basic Mindfulness Instructions and a Guided Meditation on Exploring the Nature of the Self 36:10
Donald Rothberg
Basic Mindfulness Instructions and a Guided Meditation on Exploring the Nature of the Self
2019-06-05 Mindfulness of Body 50:50
Debra Chamberlin-Taylor
A guided meditation on mindfulness of body.
2019-06-05 Day 2 Experiential Practice: Introduction of Metta (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 1:10:36
Howard Cohn
Exploration and guided "practice" of the boundless heart quality of Metta.
2019-06-06 Morning Instructions Day 4 Mindfulness of thought (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 51:57
Debra Chamberlin-Taylor
Guided Meditation on Mindfulness of thought. It begins with listening.
2019-06-07 Day 4 Experiential Practice: Forgiveness - Pathway to an Open Heart (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 61:22
James Baraz
In order to open to true well-being we need to let go of the blocks to an open heart. Practices of forgiveness towards ourselves and others are offered.
2019-06-08 What's coming, end of retreat (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 57:02
James Baraz
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