A Mindful Nation with US Congressman Tim Ryan

A Mindful Nation with US Congressman Tim Ryan

One of the great sources of hope is the “quiet revolution” of mindfulness that is appearing in schools, hospitals, prisons, the military, corporate settings and the lives of millions of people around the world. In this talk, US Congressman Tim Ryan points to highlights of this revolution–which are reviewed in his compelling new book, A Mindful Nation. He shares about his own personal experience with mindfulness practice and his commitment to seeing the mindfulness and compassion at the center of our work for a better future.

Beyond the Prison of Beliefs

Beyond the Prison of Beliefs

Most of us have core fear beliefs that obscure our true nature and bind us in repeating patterns of painful emotions and behavior. This talk looks at the beliefs that limit us and the freedom that is possible when we investigate them with a kind, mindful awareness.

Attend and Befriend: Healing the Fear Body

Attend and Befriend: Healing the Fear Body

Our fear management strategies–versions of fight/flight– contract our body and mind, and separate us from others. As we learn to pause and contact the bodily fear with a gentle, mindful awareness, our sense of being enlarges. We rediscover our belonging to presence, love and life.

Alchemy of Wise Effort in Spiritual Life

Alchemy of Wise Effort in Spiritual Life

The ground of wise effort is our sincere intentionality toward presence, love and freedom. Yet our habit is to go into trance, and latch on to narrowed intentions of self-enhancement or defense. When this goes on for years, we feel disappointment in our lives, a sense of not being true to ourselves. Through guided reflections, we explore how–in spiritual practice and in relationships–we can connect with our deepest intention and live in a way that expresses our awakening heart and awareness.

Flowering, From Within, of Self-Blessing

Flowering, From Within, of Self-Blessing

This line from poet Galway Kinnell reminds us of the possibility of meeting our inner life with a loving, healing presence. When we do, we loosen the trance of unworthiness and reconnect with our intrinsic goodness. In turn, we can offer our blessings to others–serving as reminders of the awareness and love that can blossom in all beings.

Alchemy of Wise Effort in Spiritual Life

Freedom in the Midst of Difficulty

We suffer when we forget who we are and get caught in a limited sense of self. This talk explores how we become identified with a sliver of what we are, and the pathway to remembering our wholeness. When we know we’re the ocean, we are free to relate to the waves with respect, compassion and love.

Alchemy of Wise Effort in Spiritual Life

Part 2: Three Blessings on the Journey

Drawing on a wonderful teaching story from the Upanishads, these two talks explore the role of forgiveness, inner fire and looking at our own minds, in finding freedom.

Alchemy of Wise Effort in Spiritual Life

Part 1: Three Blessings on the Journey

Drawing on a wonderful teaching story from the Upanishads, these two talks explore the role of forgiveness, inner fire and looking at our own minds, in finding freedom.

Alchemy of Wise Effort in Spiritual Life

Part 2: Trusting Your Basic Goodness

Einstein says the most important question we will ever ask ourselves is, “Is this universe a friendly place?” Do we trust that there is something essentially benevolent or good about this universe? That we are essentially good? These two talks explore what it means to trust basic goodness, and how this trust naturally emerges through cultivating a meditative presence.

Alchemy of Wise Effort in Spiritual Life

Part 1: Trusting Your Basic Goodness

Einstein says the most important question we will ever ask ourselves is, “Is this universe a friendly place?” Do we trust that there is something essentially benevolent or good about this universe? That we are essentially good? These two talks explore what it means to trust basic goodness, and how this trust naturally emerges through cultivating a meditative presence.

Alchemy of Wise Effort in Spiritual Life

Taking Refuge

This class explores the three classic gateways to true refuge – Buddha (awareness); Dharma (path, truth of reality) and Sangha (spiritual friends, loving relatedness). It includes reflections and a ceremony that supports us in remembering the pathway home.(See “Taking Refuge” in video.)

Alchemy of Wise Effort in Spiritual Life

No Mud, No Lotus

Our attitude in the face of life’s challenges determines our suffering or our freedom. This solstice talk explores the light of compassion that blossoms when we honor our difficult times with a deep, mindful attention. This solstice evening includes chanting, singing and a candlelighting ceremony. (See “No Mud, No Lotus” in video.)

The Dance of Relational Trance

The Dance of Relational Trance

When we become emotionally reactive in our relationships, we often go into a trance that creates separation and locks us into a narrow sense of self. This talk explores how, by pausing and deepening our attention, we can reconnect with the wisdom of our...
The Backward Step

The Backward Step

Our habit is to think we are on our way someplace else, and that our happiness is to be found outside ourselves. Yet realization becomes possible when we take the backward step into the formless dimension of our own being. This talk explores the two pathways that...
Mindful Speech

Mindful Speech

Deception, gossip and aggressive speech are pervasive in our culture. This talk looks at the roots of these forms of communication, and the way they entrap us in a contracted and separate sense of self. We then explore the practices that help us speak from a...