Even during a global pandemic there seems to be so much that needs to be done. It's easy to be caught up in the need to fix or take care of or just do something. Many times we feel uneasy about taking time to nourish ourselves, but it's imperative that we do so. Mary talks about how we get caught up in doing, and how to go let go and take care of ourselves in a wise way. Recorded Oct. 1, 2020 in the virtual world Send me a text with any questions or comments! Include your name and email if you w...
Oct 11, 2020•30 min
In the Satipatthana Sutta, the Budda's teaching on mindfulness, he offers a way to develop insight and awareness. The practice is not just about when we're sitting on the 'cushion' but about being aware all the time. The monk Sayadaw U Tejaniya invites us to practice "from the moment we wake up until the moment we fall asleep." In this talk, Mary discusses the foundations of mindfulness which allow us to develop a way to be aware as much as possible and to tend to whatever arises, whether pleasa...
Oct 05, 2020•27 min
Life is challenging for all of us especially right now, and our natural go-to is not always kindness and compassion. However, responding to rage, fear and other emotions with kindness and compassion is important and should frame how we move through each moment. Mary discusses what this looks like, why it's important and what gets in our way. Recorded Sept. 19, 2020 in the virtual world Send me a text with any questions or comments! Include your name and email if you would like a response - it's ...
Sep 28, 2020•32 min
The Paramis (paramitas) are ten qualities said to be necessary for awakening. However, they can also serve as a framework as we maneuver the highs and lows of our daily lives. Sylvia Boorstein describes these as the "natural inclination of the heart" and a path of kindness. The Paramis: generosity, integrity, renunciation, wisdom, energy, patience, truthfulness, determination, lovingkindness, equanimity. Recorded Sept 12, 2020 in the virtual world. Send me a text with any questions or comments! ...
Sep 20, 2020•39 min
It's so easy to be caught up in our thoughts, emotions and everything that's going on in the world today. We can become reactive and operate from our fixed views and preconceived ideas rather than seeing clearly what is actually going on. This practice of Beginner's MInd and asking "What is this?" gives us an opportunity to slow down the thinking mind and come into direct experience with what is actually happening. It's a beneficial practice we can use today and which offers a path to equanimity...
Sep 13, 2020•37 min
Another challenging week in our world with loss, violence and moments of joy. How do these teachings help us to hold all the emotions yet also move forward with what Roshi Joan Halifax calls 'wise hope' which enables us to transform suffering? Recorded August 29, 2020 in the virtual world. Send me a text with any questions or comments! Include your name and email if you would like a response - it's not included automatically. Thanks. Visit Mary's website for more info on classes and teachings....
Aug 30, 2020•31 min
The term 'skillful means' ( upaya ) is used a lot in Buddhist circles, but what does it mean and how do we utilize the teachings to move through out lives? Mary discusses upaya as a way to move away from suffering or dukkha in this moment and how we find these skillful means in our own lives. Recorded August 22, 2020 in the virtual world Send me a text with any questions or comments! Include your name and email if you would like a response - it's not included automatically. Thanks. Visit Mary's ...
Aug 26, 2020•29 min
It's nice to think that we follow the precepts because we want to be in harmony with the world, but often times it takes remorse and fear of repercussions to dig us out of our old conditioning. The Buddha's teaching on Hiri and Otappa offers us a way to utilize these feelings and emotions to move towards a more easygoing and embodied relationship with the precepts. Recorded August 15, 2020 in the virtual world. Send me a text with any questions or comments! Include your name and email if you wou...
Aug 16, 2020•27 min
The Buddha said, "Impermanent are conditioned things," but that has not stopped humans from thinking things are solid and permanent. Using the book The Body Is Not an Apology by Sonya Renee Taylor as a jumping off point, Mary discusses the great suffering we have all experienced ourselves and caused others by holding on to concepts about size, race, gender, sexual orientation, ability and mental health. We've been deluded into thinking there is a default that is best and we other people based on...
Aug 16, 2020•29 min
The Buddha often ended a teaching with the sentence, "This is how you should train yourself," and training the mind is a common phrase. How does one actually do that and what does it look like on and off the cushion? Mary discusses training the mind to let go of its conditioning and its importance in the journey towards liberation. Recorded Aug 1, 2020 in the virtual world Send me a text with any questions or comments! Include your name and email if you would like a response - it's not included ...
Aug 04, 2020•31 min
In Buddhist teachings impermanence is one of the three characteristics of existence. We're often aware of this especially when things end that we're attached to. However, change sometimes does not come soon enough and we suffer because of that. Mary discusses how to see the process of impermanence at the micro and macro levels and let go of attachment or aversion to change. Recorded July 25, 2020 in the virtual world. Send me a text with any questions or comments! Include your name and email if ...
Aug 03, 2020•27 min
This talk was part of the Wise Action Series offered by the San Francisco Dharma Collective . In the Eightfold Path Wise Action and Sila are the Buddha’s prescription for moving through the world without causing harm and for ending suffering where we find it. This practice of integrity is as important today as it was 2,600 years ago and can serve as a solid foundation as we face a world where greed, hatred and delusion are running rampant. Mary speaks about her experience standing firm in the Dh...
Jul 20, 2020•31 min
The practice of insight allows us to become more intimate with ourselves and our emotions. However it's difficult to cultivate this intimacy if we don't also cultivate kindness and gentleness. Mary talks about what that might look like and how to do it. It's important at any time, but so much more important during these challenging times. Recorded June 16, 2020 in the virtual world. Send me a text with any questions or comments! Include your name and email if you would like a response - it's not...
Jul 20, 2020•37 min
Oftentimes the Buddha's teaching is misunderstood as 'Life is Suffering' which is very far from the truth. Wanting things to be pleasant all the time can lead to dissatisfaction, but we have to realize that there are pleasant experiences in life. It's when we cling to these we suffer. This talk investigates to Buddha's admonition to recognize there is gratification in sensual pleasure, and also realize the danger in getting attached and how to escape. Recorded July 11, 2020 in the virtual world....
Jul 14, 2020•30 min
Using the book, The First Free Women: Poems of the Early Buddhist Nuns by Matty Weingast, Mary talks about how relevant their words are for our practice today. There is also conversation about the state of full Bhikkhuni ordination today. Recorded June 27, 2020 in the virtual world Send me a text with any questions or comments! Include your name and email if you would like a response - it's not included automatically. Thanks. Visit Mary's website for more info on classes and teachings....
Jul 04, 2020•38 min
The practice is all about staying present and aware so we can see clearly what our experience is at any time. With our emotions so close to the surface much of the time it's important to know where we are. This dharma talk, part of a half day retreat, is about how we develop our our mindfulness and ability to be with what is, with kindness and without judgement. Recorded June 27, 2020 in the virtual world Send me a text with any questions or comments! Include your name and email if you would lik...
Jun 29, 2020•21 min
Equanimity, or equipoise, is that place where we can hold all the world has to offer without being overwhelmed or lost in craving. The teachings on mindfulness offer a path to equanimity and we can respond to the challenges we face each day without a need for it to be different. There is so much grief and heartbreak right now and this practice helps us be open to both the deepest pain and the greatest joy with a wise and compassionate heart. Recorded June 13, 2020 in the virtual world. Send me a...
Jun 14, 2020•35 min
Lama Rod Owens speaks about the need to find something to hold you so you feel safe enough to let your heart crack open. In this podcast Mary talks about being held by the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha - taking refuge - as a way to hold our pain, grief and joy and to find connection. Recorded June 6, 2020 in the virtual world. Send me a text with any questions or comments! Include your name and email if you would like a response - it's not included automatically. Thanks. Visit Mary's website for mor...
Jun 05, 2020•27 min
Joy is a natural occurrence when our hearts are awake, but much of the time we need to take the time to look for it or even allow ourselves to feel it, especially when going through difficult and challenging times. In this talk Mary discusses the importance of joy in our lives and how to find it even during a global pandemic. Recorded May 23, 2020 in the virtual world Send me a text with any questions or comments! Include your name and email if you would like a response - it's not included autom...
May 25, 2020•39 min
The Buddha's teaching on Ehipassiko or see for yourself what leads to calm and what leads to suffering is as important today as it was 2600 years ago. There is so much chatter and so many talking heads spewing so-called facts that we need a path through the mess. The Buddha's teaching offers a way of discernment and wisdom. Recorded May 16, 2020 in the virtual world Send me a text with any questions or comments! Include your name and email if you would like a response - it's not included automat...
May 18, 2020•28 min
The COVID-19 Pandemic has brought the inequities of our culture into stark relief. How do we hold the powerful emotions that show up when we're face to face with the greed, hatred and ignorance that seem to be everywhere? Mary also discusses the idea of Engaged Buddhism and how our practice invites us to take action to end the greed, hatred and ignorance where we see it and to end suffering for all beings. Recorded May 7, 2020 in the virtual world Send me a text with any questions or comments! I...
May 10, 2020•32 min
Guarding the Sense Doors is a teaching that is so important right now. Taking care of what we consume, not just the food we eat, but through our reading, watching, listening and even noticing how we speak to ourselves. Paying attention and tending to this consumption with care is important to get to a place of balance in this day-to-day world - pandemic or not. Recorded May 2, 2020 in the virtual world. Send me a text with any questions or comments! Include your name and email if you would like ...
May 04, 2020•35 min
Mary revisits Rick Hanson's teaching on Wise Effort. How do we abandon unskillful thoughts and cultivate those that are more beneficial? It's so easy to get lost in thoughts about tomorrow or yesterday without even being aware of it. This talk offers pragmatic ways to impact our thoughts and let go of what does not serve which is especially helpful as we continue to move through extremely challenging times. Recorded April 25, 2020 in the virtual world Send me a text with any questions or comment...
Apr 27, 2020•31 min
Deep practice in Insight Meditation brings us to to a kind and compassionate heart. Sometimes, however, we need to develop these practices more intentionally in order to find kindness, compassion, joy and equanimity in our daily lives. Paying special attention to the heart will cultivate the tenderness we need, especially in dealing with our experiences during these challenging times. Recorded April 18, 2020 in the virtual world. Send me a text with any questions or comments! Include your name a...
Apr 20, 2020•45 min
It's so easy to shut down during this time as we navigate some big unknowns. Our old habits can come back and we let the armor build up. However, there is a way to keep our hearts open and willing to be intimate with our experience no matter how difficult or unpleasant. Mary talks about normal reactions to a pandemic and how to move through them with compassion and kindness. Recorded April 11, 2020 in the virtual world. Send me a text with any questions or comments! Include your name and email i...
Apr 13, 2020•32 min
In this time of groundlessness it's important to see how sometimes being stuck in fixed views and the way things SHOULD be intensifies our stress or discomfort. Mary discusses how we get stuck in these views, how to identify them, and how we can let go. This podcast includes group sharing at the end. Recorded April 4, 2020 in the virtual world. Send me a text with any questions or comments! Include your name and email if you would like a response - it's not included automatically. Thanks. Visit ...
Apr 07, 2020•47 min
This meditation is an invitation to find a solid base and to rest in the present moment regardless of what arises and passes. Recorded March 28, 2020 in the virtual world. Send me a text with any questions or comments! Include your name and email if you would like a response - it's not included automatically. Thanks. Visit Mary's website for more info on classes and teachings....
Mar 30, 2020•34 min
The Buddha's teaching on the Eight Worldly Winds describes situations we experience regularly as human beings. This teaching is especially helpful today as we navigate a constantly shifting ground beneath our feet. Recorded March 28, 2020 in the virtual world. Send me a text with any questions or comments! Include your name and email if you would like a response - it's not included automatically. Thanks. Visit Mary's website for more info on classes and teachings....
Mar 30, 2020•35 min
In the midst of a global pandemic, our minds could be working overtime on things that are not very beneficial. This propensity for the mind to run off in a million directions, or focus on one not so useful thought is nothing new and the Buddha offered a path of practice to address this proliferation of thought. Mary discusses ways to take care of ourselves and tend to the mind during this difficult time. Recorded March 21, 2020 in the virtual world Send me a text with any questions or comments! ...
Mar 25, 2020•27 min
Everything is changing practically minute by minute and we're dealing with all the emotions that dealing with the unknown and uncertainty brings up. Why wouldn't fear show up right now? Acknowledging it with love is a way not to become overwhelmed. Mary discusses this and offers Tonglen practice as a way to take care of yourself in the moment. Recorded March 14, 2020 in the virtual world. Send me a text with any questions or comments! Include your name and email if you would like a response - it...
Mar 17, 2020•34 min
