bell hooks passed away on December 15, 2021 and will be missed sorely. Well known for her activist writings, she was also a Buddhist practitioner and wrote often about practice being her foundation and the importance of love in all we do. In this podcast, Mary shares some of hooks' Buddhist writings and the importance of her legacy. Episode 152 recorded Dec. 23, 2021 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'...
Dec 27, 2021•31 min
This is the time of year people make resolutions or decide to change things in their lives. The idea of setting an intention lets us move forward in a wise and compassionate way. Using the ten Paramis or perfections is a way to shape our intentions to be the most beneficial to us and to others. Mary discusses the Paramis and how we can utilize them to move away from suffering and towards liberation. Episode 151 Recorded Dec 18, 2021 in the virtual world Send me a text with any questions or comme...
Dec 20, 2021•31 min
The story of Kisa Gotami is one of the most famous in the Pali Canon. It's the story of a mother who loses her only child and is so overcome with grief she cannot accept reality. Mary discusses the lessons this story can teach us about touching our pain and the importance of recognizing that none of us are doing this by ourselves and that grief and loss are universal. Recorded Dec. 11, 2021 in the virtual world. Send me a text with any questions or comments! Include your name and email if you wo...
Dec 14, 2021•27 min
Based on the three defilements of greed, aversion and delusion, Buddhist Personality Types, or temperaments, are a convenient and fun way to view our habitual patterns of thinking and acting. Additionally, as we recognize these traits in ourselves, we can transform them into the wholesome qualities of wisdom and equanimity. Recorded Dec. 4, 2021 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...
Dec 06, 2021•27 min
In this short talk Mary discusses the importance of staying with a practice even when the going gets tough. There is a tendency today to jump from one practice to another, cobbling together a piecemeal spiritual program. This happens especially when the practice becomes challenging or difficult. Instead, make a commitment to get the full benefit, whichever practice you choose and don't miss out on the subtleties - the places that lead transformation and liberation. Recorded Nov. 27, 2021 in the ...
Nov 30, 2021•18 min
How do we keep an open heart with the craziness of the world today? In this talk Mary invites us to consider gratitude and generosity as the heart's antidote to becoming enmeshed in the greed, anger and ignorance that seem to be everywhere we look. This is not about a spiritual bypass, but instead a way to be with the world more deeply and intimately. Recorded Nov. 13, 2021 in the virtual world Send me a text with any questions or comments! Include your name and email if you would like a respons...
Nov 16, 2021•29 min
One of the most accessible teachings on equanimity is the Eight Worldly Winds. These are experiences that are common to all humans: pleasure & pain, gain & loss, praise & blame, fame & disgrace. If we're not paying attention we can get caught in this whirlwind of chasing the pleasant and rebelling against the unpleasant. The Buddha's insight is that these experiences arise for each of us and the invitation is to neither grasp nor repel. How do we sit with ease with these eight wi...
Nov 08, 2021•31 min
We practice Vipassana or Insight Meditation, and we speak about insight regularly, but what is is really? Vipassana is often translated as seeing the true nature of reality and Mary discusses how the teachings offer a way to dissolve delusion and break through the ignorance that we are often trapped by. The path offers us a way to insight, discernment, wisdom, and ultimately, liberation. Recorded Oct. 30, 2021 in the virtual world. Send me a text with any questions or comments! Include your name...
Nov 01, 2021•27 min
As used here, the Mahasanga (Great Community) refers to the breadth and width of Buddhist practitioners throughout the world. In this talk, Mary discusses the value of looking beyond the tradition you practice in to see the wisdom contained in the larger dharma community. and shares some of the ideas offered at this year's Dharma Teachers Conference - wisdom from around the world and through the ages. Recorded Oct. 23, 2021 in the virtual world Send me a text with any questions or comments! Incl...
Oct 26, 2021•28 min
Whether we like it or not, impermanence is a way of life. In fact the Buddha taught that it was one of the three characteristics of existence yet we still try to hold on to things, ideas, and experiences even after they've ended. In this talk Mary discusses the subtle ways we struggle with this truth and how to recognize it and to learn to let go. Recorded Oct. 16, 2021 in the virtual world Send me a text with any questions or comments! Include your name and email if you would like a response - ...
Oct 18, 2021•31 min
In Buddhist teachings Mara is seen as the personification of greed, anger and delusion and stands in the way of our liberation. In this talk Mary offers ways to identify Mara in our own lives which gives us the opportunity to say, "I see you Mara" and choose the path of freedom. Recorded Oct. 7, 2021 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 ...
Oct 11, 2021•30 min
The term Human Condition can sum up our experiences on this planet, whether we admit to it our not. The Human Condition is also what the Buddha teaches in the First and Second Noble Truth especially. In this talk, Mary takes a look at what the Human Condition means for each of us and how we can move to a place of greeting and ultimately embracing it. Recorded Oct. 2, 2021 in the virtual world Send me a text with any questions or comments! Include your name and email if you would like a response ...
Oct 04, 2021•28 min
Appreciative Joy, or Mudita, is one of the heart practices and often considered the most difficult. This is an altruistic expression of joy for the good fortune and happiness of others and is an important practice to cultivate generosity of the heart and mind. It's difficult because we are caught up in craving and a sense of lack. Mary discusses how to recognize what gets in the way and move into a place of sharing the joy. Recorded Sept. 23, 2021 in the virtual world. Send me a text with any qu...
Sep 28, 2021•38 min
Often we latch on to the search for meaning, happiness or bliss and think they are "out there" waiting to be found or achieved. Drawing heavily on the work of Viktor Frankl, Mary reminds us that there is only this moment and we are asked to respond appropriately to each experience we encounter. Building a foundation of love, kindness and integrity allows us to respond wisely and for the benefit of all. Recorded Sept. 18, 2021 in the virtual world Send me a text with any questions or comments! In...
Sep 21, 2021•24 min
The Dhammapada, part of the Pali Canon, is one of the most popular collections of Buddha's teachings. Mary looks at some of the verses and how the entire collection is an easy way to remind ourselves of the most important parts of the dharma. There is much richness to be explored. Recorded Sept. 11, 2021 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 m...
Sep 13, 2021•26 min
Dharma practice teaches us how to disentangle ourselves from habitual thoughts and habits of mind. It can also support us as we disengage from the larger, systemic patterns baked into our culture. Mary discusses the qualities of the colonial mind and how to identify the greed, hatred and ignorance and move toward a world that works for everyone. Recorded Sept. 4, 2021 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...
Sep 06, 2021•27 min
The last factor in the Eightfold Path is often called Right Concentration, but it more about a steadiness or collectedness of the mind. Mary discusses this final piece and how the clarity and wisdom it provides allows us to be fully with reality as it is and move towards liberation. Recorded August 26, 2021 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 fo...
Aug 31, 2021•32 min
Continuing with the Four Foundations of Mindfulness, Mary discusses how these practices, when aligned with the Eightfold Path, lead to the end of suffering and facilitate awakening. Recorded August 21, 2021 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 23, 2021•33 min
Right Mindfulness underpins just about everything we do in our practice and is necessary for liberation. Without the clarity of present time awareness and the integrity to guide our mindfulness skillfully, it's easy to stay trapped in delusion and suffering. Mary discusses what mindfulness is and isn't, and touches on the first foundations of mindfulness (the Satiphatthana Sutta). Next week will continue this factor. Recorded August 14, in the virtual world. Send me a text with any questions or ...
Aug 16, 2021•35 min
It takes effort to move from suffering to the end of suffering and the Buddha dedicated an entire factor of the Eightfold Path to this. Mary talks about the Four Efforts necessary to disentangle ourselves from our deeply rooted stories, causes and conditions to a place of freedom and ease. Recorded August 5, 2021 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 webs...
Aug 09, 2021•34 min
The final factor in Sila or ethical behavior, Right Livelihood is more than just about how we make our living. It's how we interact with the world: where we spend our money, how we meet our needs and how we behave as global citizens. Supported by Right Speech and Right Action, Right Livelihood allows us to live ethically and compassionately as we move towards liberation. Recorded July 29, 2021 in the virtual world. Send me a text with any questions or comments! Include your name and email if you...
Aug 03, 2021•35 min
Right Action is the second part of Sila, or the ethics portion of the Eightfold Path, and includes some of the most powerful practices for living in the world in harmony with other beings. Together wish Right Speech, Right Action forms the foundation of the Five Precepts. As with most of the Buddha's teachings however, it's not just about not causing harm or not stealing, but rather living in a way that is compassionate, kind, is for the benefit of all beings, and works to end suffering wherever...
Jul 26, 2021•35 min
Right Speech can also be considered Right Communication. How we show up in the world and communicate with others is so important and critical in moving on this path toward liberation for ourselves, and all beings. Mary discusses the Buddha's teaching on this factor as well as offering an invitation to look at all the ways we communicate. Shout out to Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Recorded July 17, 2021 in the virtual world Send me a text with any questions or comments! Include your name and ...
Jul 19, 2021•40 min
Continuing the series on The Eightfold Path, Mary discusses Right Intention and the three components: Renunciation, Good Will and Harmlessness. This factor works to break up the defilements of greed and aversion and helps us move into harmony with the world. Recorded July 10, 2021 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 ...
Jul 12, 2021•28 min
The Eightfold Path is the Buddha's the path to end suffering. In this video Mary discusses Right View, the first factor in the path. Right View allows us to move away from ignorance - seeing where we've been snagged by delusion - and into clarity and wisdom. First talk in the series. Recorded July 3, 2021 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 ...
Jul 06, 2021•35 min
In this Lovingkindness, or Metta, meditation, Mary guides us in finding the phrases that are meaningful to us. Metta is a powerful practice to soften our hearts both to ourselves and to all beings. Recorded May 29, 2021 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....
Jun 28, 2021•27 min
Along with the Impermanence (Anicca) and Suffering (Dukkha), the teaching of Anatta or non-self is one of the Three Characteristics of Existence taught by the Buddha. In this talk Mary discusses what this actually means and how to work with it in daily life. Recorded June 17, 2021 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 ...
Jun 22, 2021•25 min
Ancient teachers in the Theravada tradition collected four meditation subjects which the Buddha taught that they considered to be protective and worthy of dedicated practice. Drawing on work by Bhikkhu Bodhi, Mary discusses these four subjects (Mindfulness of the Buddha, Lovingkindness, 32 Parts of the Body and Death Meditation) and talks about how the protection they offer is a deep grounding in practice which offers a firm foundation from which to greet the world. Recorded June 12, 2021 in the...
Jun 14, 2021•34 min
This short talk is a reflection on how we can see the dharma everywhere if we keep our eyes and ears open. It is so easy to keep ourselves and others separated into different containers when in reality we share more than we think. The invitation is, as always, to pay attention. Recorded June 3, 2021 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 i...
Jun 07, 2021•16 min
As the pandemic restrictions ease we are either looking for a return to normalcy or expecting a new way of life. Each of these ideas indicates an arrival and an attachment to the way it's supposed to be. Instead, we are asked to recognize that we are always in transition - beginnings and endings are happening all the time and the only place to be is right here, fully present. Recorded May 29, 2021 in the virtual world Send me a text with any questions or comments! Include your name and email if ...
May 31, 2021•34 min
