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Monthly Archives

June 2016

Dharma Talks

Putting Compassion into Action

Buddha taught five “Boundless Mind States” of loving-kindness, compassion, joy and equanimity. He likely put loving-kindness first because it is an open hearted goodwill toward all beings. By placing compassion…
BZNinsightAdmin
June 29, 2016
Dharma Talks

Right Communication

Right Speech ( Kind, gentle, not harsh, not divisive, truthful, not idle) Right Tweet Right Blog Right email Right facebook Right voice mail Right texting Right  facial gestures Right Mudra…
BZNinsightAdmin
June 29, 2016
Dharma Talks

GLADNESS AND JOY

Our intentions plant the seeds for both happiness and suffering. Buddhist teachings offer four sublime seeds for the cultivation of true happiness. They are called the Divine Abodes; loving-kindness; compassion;…
BZNinsightAdmin
June 29, 2016
Dharma Talks

MINDFULNESS AND EATING

Mindfulness is not limited to meditation. Eating is a source of nourishment, enjoyment, socialization as well as an opportunity to be mindfully present. Below are some questions regarding eating and…
BZNinsightAdmin
June 29, 2016
Dharma Talks

Daily Makeover!

The  teaching of dependent origination (DO) is one of the heartwood teachings of the Buddha. In describing the 12 steps of this cycle he outlined how it is that we…
BZNinsightAdmin
June 29, 2016
Dharma Talks

BUDDHA AND POLITICS

Why am I talking about this? Taking teachings into our lives. Not just sitting meditation or getting Samadhi! Concentration is door to Awareness and Awakening  IN THIS VERY LIFE The…
BZNinsightAdmin
June 28, 2016
Dharma Talks

Wisdom Resolutions

There is a practice in the Thai and Burmese tradition called Wisdom Resolutions. This is taught in the West by teachers such as Jack Kornfield and others in the Theravada…
BZNinsightAdmin
June 28, 2016
Dharma Talks

Watch What You Say

Having a spiritual practice isn’t easy. It requires a desire for peace and clarity, effort, continuation/persistence and reflection to see if we are on the path. A recent psychological study…
BZNinsightAdmin
June 28, 2016
Dharma Talks

Truthfulness

This week we will examine our relationship with Truthfulness. Truthfulness is one of the 10 Paramis (perfections/adornments) of a mind moving toward freedom from greed, hatred and delusion- a peaceful…
BZNinsightAdmin
June 28, 2016
Dharma Talks

The Hindrance of Doubt

Doubt is one of the Five Hindrances that the Buddha discusses in the Fourth Foundation of Mindfulness found in the  Foundation of Mindfulness Sutta also known as Satipatthana Sutta. The…
BZNinsightAdmin
June 28, 2016
Dharma Talks

A Penny for Your Thoughts

There are four focuses of the Paramita (Perfection of Mind) of Determination. They are; Generosity, Peace, Truthfulness and Wisdom. Wisdom (clarity) arises from many sources and practices but asking questions…
BZNinsightAdmin
June 27, 2016
Dharma Talks

PATIENCE

If the person you are talking to doesn’t appear to be listening, be patient. It may simply be that he has a small piece of fluff in his ear. Pooh’s…
BZNinsightAdmin
June 27, 2016
Dharma Talks

Practicing Mindfulness of Breathing

(Try practicing this for 10- 15 minutes daily) •           Settle into a comfortable sitting position. •           Close your eyes, either partially or completely. •           Soften the muscles in your face…
BZNinsightAdmin
June 27, 2016
Dharma Talks

Greatest Virtue

There are 10 paramis/paramitas (perfections of the mind) in the Theravada tradition. They are adornments of the mind; qualities that we develop as our spiritual practice ripens. They have as…
BZNinsightAdmin
June 26, 2016
Dharma Talks

Five Precept Vows

Ring the bells that still can ring.
    Forget your perfect offering.
      There is a crack in everything.
                           That's how the light gets in.      Leonard Cohen The Five lay precepts are…
BZNinsightAdmin
June 26, 2016
Dharma Talks

Emptiness

Most religions (as institutional practices) are an attempt to reconcile the existential issues surrounding life, death, sickness, suffering etc. Buddha didn’t tech “Buddhism” nor did Christ teach “Christianity”. They taught…
BZNinsightAdmin
June 26, 2016
Dharma Talks

MINDFULNESS AND EATING

Mindfulness is not limited to meditation. Eating is a source of nourishment, enjoyment, socialization as well as an opportunity to be mindfully present. Below are some questions regarding eating and…
BZNinsightAdmin
June 26, 2016
Dharma Talks

Bodhisattva Vows

The Buddhist tradition emphasizes Sunyata, or radiant and infinite openness/emptiness. The Bodhisattva (awakened/ing being) epitomizes the union of wisdom and compassion with an unselfish attitude manifesting as actions in the…
BZNinsightAdmin
June 23, 2016
Dharma Talks

Abhaya Mudra

Protection, Reassurance, Blessing, Fear Not Abhaya in Sanskrit means fearlessness. Thus this mudra symbolizes protection, peace, and the dispelling of fear. It is made with the right hand raised to…
Nick Woodward
June 22, 2016
Sutta Studies

52. Patience

HERE IS SOMETHING TO PONDER FOR THIS LESSON PATIENCE If the person you are talking to doesn’t appear to be listening, be patient. It may simply be that he has…
BZNinsightAdmin
June 7, 2016
Sutta Studies

55. FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS – #1

The Four Noble Truths Sutra TWO YEAR TRAINING MEDITATION #55 SATIPATTHANA SUTRA MINDFULNESS OF DHAMMAS/MIND OBJECTS FOUR NOBLE TRUTHS - #1 Again, one dwells contemplating mind-objects (dhammas) as mind-objects (dhammas)…
BZNinsightAdmin
June 7, 2016