Dharma Talk Series
Generosity
Following a 2,500-year tradition in which the community financially supports the offerings provided, the teachings and meditation sessions in these events are offered on a generosity (Dana) basis. No one is turned away because they cannot give. We are encouraging attendees to give what their budget and hearts of generosity allow, and/or to sign up for monthly giving on our donations page. Information for giving dana to teachers is provided below with each event’s description.
Upcoming Talks
For talks marked as “Save the Date,” we will post additional information as soon as it is available.
All times are U.S. Pacific Time unless indicated otherwise.
Kim Allen
Wednesday, March 20, 2024, 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Desire on the Buddhist Path
Dharma Talk Summary: Sometimes the Second Noble Truth is phrased as “desire is the cause of suffering.” Is this accurate? We’ll unpack the quality of desire more carefully to see if some aspects of it can used on the path to freedom from dukkha.
Kim teaches traditional Dharma for people in today's world. Meditation, study, and daily life practice nourish a life dedicated to the Buddhist path. Lay practice can be profound and transformational with proper dedication and guidance. Kim teaches in the Insight tradition of Theravada Buddhism. Spurred on by a life change and associated suffering, Kim began meditation training in 2003, and met her primary teacher Gil Fronsdal at the Insight Meditation Center shortly thereafter. She took up the study and practice of Buddhism in earnest through retreats, studying the suttas (early discourses of the Buddha), and aligning her life with the Eightfold Path. Kim was asked to begin teaching at IMC, and now teaches at many Bay Area centers, as well as farther afield, with a focus on classical teachings, sutta study, and programs for integrating deep Dharma into everyday life. She also teaches short retreats in the US and Canada. Kim’s teaching emphasizes the willingness to look truthfully at experience, feel it fully, and soften in light of what is seen. The heart may pass through phases of brittleness, hardness, slackness, fire & ice, before developing the supple strength that is based on wisdom and compassion. This very life is our place of freedom. In 2020, Kim took formal commitment through Gil Fronsdal to living as a Lay Contemplative – basing her life on practice, study, and furthering of the Dharma – and was given the Dharma name Sumatimitta (“wise friend” or "friend of the wise"). Her own practice continues to unfold, and has expanded to include some trainings and study in the later Buddhist traditions. The Dharma path has a life of its own.
Dāna for Kim can be given at https://www.uncontrived.org/donate.html.
Join the talk via Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88360117137?pwd=alVpQWJ1SDZ1T3ZJZUVZdEtwN1h0Zz09
Rebecca Bradshaw
Sunday, April 14, 2024, 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Receptive Mindfulness
Dharma Talk Summary: Receiving our sense experience (rather than pursuing it) leads to a delightful sense of aliveness and deeper understanding of the dharma.
Rebecca's root lineage is the Mahasi method of vipassana practice originating from Burma, in what is known as Theravadan or early Buddhism. She has deep appreciation for the simplicity and clarity of this practice. Her early teachers, Joseph Goldstein, Sharon Salzberg, and Sayadaw U Pandita guided her with skill and compassion, for which she is very grateful. None of it would’ve been possible without her root teacher, Michele McDonald, whose incredible wisdom and compassion held a container for Rebecca's practice for many years. Deep, deep appreciation to her. In recent times she has studied in the Thai Forest tradition and in the Chan lineage of Master Hsa, from the City of 10,000 Buddhas, focusing on Kwan Yin practices. These teachings have been transmitted to her by Kittisaro and Thanissara, another deep bow!
Rebecca's dharma teaching focuses on down-to-earth embodied practice. Her teachings are flavored with groundedness and aliveness from years of qi gong practice. All of her teachings are infused with large doses of loving kindness and compassion; we need these in order to have the strength and flexibility to touch and be touched deeply by life. The woods, lakes, animals and plants are also her teachers and their lessons run through all of her teaching. Rebecca's hope is that we can unbind our hearts and minds, learn to connect deeply with life, and be of service to our communities and our planet at this time.
Dāna for Rebecca can be given at https://www.rebeccabradshaw.org/donate.
Join the talk via Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84387910779?pwd=YkxJQmoyVzNvQnBseHN2dHoyY3g0Zz09
Oren Jay Sofer
Wednesday, May 1, 2024, 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Emergent Dharma: Meeting our Times with Courage and Love
Dharma Talk Summary: How do we find the strength inside to face so much pain and suffering in our world? What does contemplative practice have to offer in these times of upheaval and vast change? Join author and Dharma teacher Oren Jay Sofer for this session focused on building inner resources to heal our hearts and respond effectively to the challenges of our times.
The evening will include a guided meditation, Dharma Talk, plus time for Q&A. This event is by donation. The event will be recorded and made available for later viewing.
Oren has practiced meditation in the early Buddhist tradition since 1997, beginning his studies in Bodh Gaya, India with Anagarika Munindra and Godwin Samararatne. He is a long-time student of Joseph Goldstein, Michele McDonald, and Ajahn Sucitto, and a graduate of the IMS - Spirit Rock Vipassana Teacher Training, and current member of the Spirit Rock Teachers Council.
Oren is the author of Say What You Mean: A Mindful Approach to Nonviolent Communication, a practical guidebook for having more effective, satisfying conversations. He is also co-author of two books on teaching mindfulness to teens and adolescents: The Mindful Schools Curriculum for Adolescents and Teaching Mindfulness to Empower Teens.
Oren first became interested in contemplative practice in high school, when he picked up a little book called The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff. He went on to complete a degree in Comparative Religion from Columbia University, and later spent two and a half years of living as an Anagarika (renunciate) at branch monasteries in the Ajahn Chah Thai Forest lineage. Today, his teaching combines classical Buddhist training with the accessible language of secular mindfulness.
Dāna for Oren can be given at https://www.orenjaysofer.com/supporta>
Join the talk via Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85265688708?pwd=Qnd3UWM2TnVaTk96N1NIeHdvSHlSZz09
Gullu Singh
Wednesday, June 19, 2024, 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Dharma Talk Summary: Gullu will offer meditation instructions and Dharma reflections from the teachings we ascribe directly to the Buddha as they appear in the suttas of the Pali canon. Teachings will be interpreted and contextualized for application to modern daily life.
Gullu Singh's teaching is grounded in ancient wisdom traditions, a rigorous depth of training, and decades spent working in corporate law. I know how fast-paced, high-pressure careers can weigh heavily on your body and mind.
Mindfulness invites a different way of being that can alleviate anxiety and overwhelm, and bring more ease and clarity to all you do. From a formal meditation practice, to simple daily hacks – this is practical and impactful guidance to help you balance work, life, and well-being.
Dāna for Gullu can be given via PayPal: gs@gullusingh.com or Venmo: @gullu-meditation
Join the talk via Zoom at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82799819776?pwd=eWFqVmNCa1hOQTJMR1hNdllGUDRxZz09