Why is wholesome speech one of the hardest precepts to navigate?In this talk, Tom Baker explores the many nuances of wise conversation, including:The ways our words cause sufferingThe intoxicating aspect of slander and gossipThe mindfulness component of watching our speechListening with our whole presenceOur responsibility to speak out against injusticeOvercoming our reluctance to speak up for ourselvesA Buddhist perspective on freedom of speech______________ Tetsugen Tom Baker is a Soto Zen ...

What is humanity's relationship to change?In this talk, Syra Smith shares her thoughts on impermanence, leading with this quote: "Change is the thread woven through the fabric of Human existence, a constant force shaping our journey. In transition, we navigate the spectrum of emotions, from the excitement of new beginnings to the discomfort of uncertainty. It is in these moments that growth unfurls, pushing us beyond familiar boundaries. Like a butterfly emerging from a cocoon we transform, s...

Send us a Text Message. What does it mean to "be Buddhist?" In his signature honest and humorous style, Kevin Griffin enriches this powerful and practical talk with numerous examples and approaches to making the dharma real in our everyday lives.  He shares that living the dharma is not about doing activities that are Buddhist, but instead making every activity we engage with Buddhist in our own way.  Kevin also shares his framework for living out the dharma: Following the preceptsBeing...

What does it mean to go beyond separation as described in the Heart Sutra? Prasadachitta prefaces this rich talk by asking us to consider all the ways we are steeped in separation. This is evidenced by our language's practice of adding -ism to a tradition or condition to define ourselves or others -- a practice that can serve as a judgment that fosters separation.  He goes on to state that the word dharma can have multiple meanings: Realizing the nature of reality as sentient beings...

Do we trust our thoughts more than the wisdom of our own experience? In this talk, David Lewis helps us see that our reliance on thinking and studying can be an obstacle to gaining a true understanding of reality.  He outlines that Sangha can help us gain wisdom in three ways, through: Direct experience - meditating in silenceListening to Dharma talksDiscussions with each otherHaving polled his audiences for many years, David shares that Westerners tend to prefer talks and discussions over...

Can generosity lead to joy in a wounded world? Ian Challis believes so, and helps us explore both our generous impulses and the actions they give rise to if we allow it.  Generosity is the first of the 10 Paramis or beautiful qualities that lead to Buddhahood: GenerosityVirtueRenunciationWisdomEnergyPatienceTruthfulnessResolveLoving KindnessEquanimityIn many Eastern cultures, the practice of giving is a core value, an essential way of being taught from a young age, and familiar to all....

Steven Tierney shares that we begin to truly embody the Bodhisattva vow when our decisions are based on their impact on "we" rather than "I." We pause and consider others before we think or act. It doesn't mean we forget ourselves, but that others are considered in our actions.  Taking this vow we commit to not being instigators of any further chaos or misery in the world. Just meditating quietly is a moral act because, during that time, we refrain from creating any conflict.  He shares...

How can our practice inform encounters with dark times, when we feel loss or face a turning point with trepidation?  Laura Burges shares that we can find "fountains of joy" even in going to the places that scare us. Our practice is not separate from the dark places - we can turn towards the darkness and examine it clearly and experience the "soft heart of sadness" in being alive. She draws a parallel with the Greek myth of Persephone whose time spent annually in Hades results in the joy...

We all have Stories, Opinions, and Ideas but we don't have to buy into them. In this talk, Rev. Daigan Gaither explains that as humans, our minds think; it's just what they do. Letting go of these thoughts can become the focus of our practice. He examines the trap of thinking that our meditation should be a certain way, but then our experience often does not measure up to that idea. Or we have a moment of serenity and then become attached to making every moment measure up to that. We...

Alchemy is all about transformation, and there is nothing in our practice more transformative than generosity - toward both ourselves and others. In this talk, Kevin Martin shares that what we do on the cushion is the most generous thing we can give to ourselves.  Our practice can help us disrupt personal karma by making us more curious about the deeply held beliefs and patterns that imprison us.  Sharing the dharma is also a great act of generosity toward others. Putting our knowledge...

How do we bring our practice into the difficult moments of relationships with others? Can we learn from these and approach them with curiosity and presence as an opportunity to grow? René Rivera looks at the ways our practice can help us become more aware of when our words or behaviors generate conflict. He shares his approach to mend these transgressions, including:  Be present with ourselves. Pause and focus on the sensations and emotions we feel when we make a mistake, such as shame,...

The Diamond Approach incorporates some aspects of psychology to look at what causes our suffering, obscures our innate qualities, and stands in the way of personal freedom. In this talk, Trip Weil examines a key aspect he sees that the Diamond Approach shares with Buddhism: one calls it the super-ego, and the other speaks of the demon Mara. He explores how there are two kinds of suffering: that which leads to more suffering and that which can guide us to the end of suffering. He points...

How do we quiet the 'monkey mind' that dwells on regrets of the past and fear of the future? In this talk, Michaiel Patrick Bovenes shares that the monkey mind is fueled by immature aspects of our ego. He looks at the stages our ego goes through as we mature:  Am I getting enough? Am I good enough? Am I doing enough? I am enough. He explains how we can move towards this fourth stage by developing greater self-awareness that leads to self-acceptance. Rather than being trapped by limiting...

Sometimes it can be a relief to hear the recognition offered in the First Noble Truth: that suffering exists and everyone experiences it.   In addition to this fact, the Buddha taught that suffering can be ended. All of his teachings on achieving this freedom from suffering fall under two wings: wisdom and compassion. In this talk, infused with dharma songs, Eve Decker highlights a few of the numerous 'feathers' that make up each of these wings, including: WISDOM Mindfulness - the capacity...

Dharma friends for over 30 years, Danadasa and John Del Bagno present Dharmic poetry, artwork, and chanting. View the artwork and poetry selections at https://gaybuddhist.org/podcast/art-poetry-and-the-imagination-danadasa-chan-john-del-bagno/ ______________ Dhammachari Danadasa has been practicing with the San Francisco Buddhist Center (SFBC) community since 1993 and was ordained in 2011. His current area of exploration is the cultivation of metta (universal loving kindness) as a response...

Understanding impermanence is essential for awakening to the dharma - the truth of the way things are. All conditioned phenomena that we experience are impermanent, which is part of the difficulty in life, yet it is perfectly normal.   In this talk, Eugene Cash begins with instruction for listening to any dharma talk: by relaxing but remaining aware. This is done by invoking the Satipatthana Sutta, or the Four Foundations of Mindfulness: awareness of the body, of feelings, of the mind, and of...

We often come with specific expectations about how the practice will help us reduce our suffering. But how do we react when these expectations are not met? What can we learn from these experiences? In this talk, Steven Tierney helps us explore:  We often get attached to fixed views because we crave certainty, knowing that we are doing something the "right" way so as not to be criticized. This fear is often the richest place in which to explore our practice. How can meditation allow us to...

Instead of seeing ourselves as separate from the world we observe, can we imagine that it is the Buddha looking out through our eyes, wishing the best for everyone and everything? In this talk, Larry Robinson explains that in the Mayahana traditions, we sit and practice not to attain or accomplish anything, but to express our Bodhicitta, our true nature, and to connect with the underlying reality of all things: unity. He explores in further detail the practices that help reinforce our...

In some of her books, Laura Burges writes about addiction, which she sees as a metaphor for the craving we all experience that leads to suffering. To counter this, the dharma, much like recovery, is passed from person to person. In this talk, she examines the fable of Rumplestiltskin and how greed and craving can take hold of us like a curse or a spell. By facing our demons and naming them, we break their power to control us or diminish our courage, integrity and potential. She points out...

Who or what do we refer to when we say, "I am..."? In this talk, Dorothy Hunt explores the difference between the 'home ground' of just being, before we add definitions of 'I am.' Our pure being, or Buddha nature, is always becoming something, and often underlies the doing that we experience. However, as we focus more on doing, it draws us into a need for accomplishment and doing more, of clinging and aversion. Dorothy goes on to define the ground of being as emptiness or "that which is...

In what ways do we engage in retaliation in our relationships? How can we let go of this urge? In this talk, Dave Richo defines retaliation as reacting equally to the harm that was initiated against us; revenge on the other hand is a magnified form of retaliation. He looks at what various spiritual traditions have to say about retaliation. From a psychological view, we often dream of revenge so that we won't have to face the grief that we are feeling. Dave holds that the urge to...

Part 3: GBF 2023 Fall Retreat. How do we embody in our lives the practices we learn and the qualities we develop on retreat? In this talk, Donald Rothberg examines how we can 'bring the retreat home' with us and make our practice real in everyday life. He suggests key methods for accomplishing this, including:  Become grounded in one's body. Meditate on a different quality each week, such as impermanence, reactivity, non-self, Commit to engaging in one heart practice daily: loving-kindness,...

Part 2 - GBF 2023 Fall Retreat Most spiritual traditions and religions speak about the value of compassion, but Buddhism seems to be the only one with specific practices for developing this quality and opening our hearts. In this talk, Donald Rothberg explores the challenges we face when opening our hearts. Once we do, how do we integrate this compassion with wisdom? What challenges do we face when we try this?  He also identifies how traditional gender roles can hinder opening our hearts...

Part 1: GBF 2023 Fall Retreat. Our teacher for the weekend, Donald Rothberg, informs us that the purpose of Buddhist practice is to move beyond techniques and teachings, into a deep state of resting in one's own being. There we can experience insight into Impermanence, Dukkha, and Not-Self that informs our behavior in daily life. A 45-min dharma talk is followed by a 45-min Q&A and group dialogue. ______________ Donald Rothberg, Ph.D., a member of the Teachers Council at Spirit Rock...