This is a continuation of final session which concludes the four part series Four Flavors of Love. Frank Ostaseski reminds us the brahmaviharas are considered powerful and beautiful aspects of the human mind and heart that can be cultivated and shared. Frank reviews each “flavor of love,” highlighting the features of each: Metta, Karuna, Mudita, Upekkha. The session also discusses the near enemies of each of these heavenly abodes.

This session concludes the four part series Four Flavors of Love. Frank Ostaseski reminds us the brahmaviharas are considered powerful and beautiful aspects of the human mind and heart that can be cultivated and shared. Frank reviews each “flavor of love,” highlighting the features of each: Metta, Karuna, Mudita, Upekkha. The session also discusses the near enemies of each of these heavenly abodes.

In this session of the Four Flavors of Love participants focus on Mudita, the third Brahma vihara, which translates to appreciative joy or sympathetic joy. Mudita involves finding joy in the basic goodness of all beings and recognizing the fundamental well-being of ourselves and others. Frank addresses potential concerns, such as whether focusing on joy might lead to ignoring the plight of those who are struggling. Frank argues that Mudita doesn’t release us from our responsibility for...

This is a continuation of the second session of this series where Frank Ostaseski emphasizes the interconnectedness of the four brahmaviharas and how they support each other. This talk focus on Karuna (Compassion) and includes guided practice of compassion using phrases to evoke the quality of compassion and extend it to various beings.

In the second session of this series Frank Ostaseski emphasizes the interconnectedness of the four brahmaviharas and how they support each other. This talk focus on Karuna (Compassion) and includes guided practice of compassion using phrases to evoke the quality of compassion and extend it to various beings.

Two days after the skies darkened from the solar eclipse, Sensei Wendy Johnson reminds us that “in dark times, the eye begins to see.” With her characteristic spirit and tenderness, Wendy encourages us to let in the difficult truths of our times and practice stillness and service. We can turn towards the wisdom of nature and ecology to guide us in our practice. As she teaches middle school children, “matter cycles, energy flows, and life exists in a web.” How can we deepen our understanding...

This session from the Four Flavors of Love is the first session in the series covering the four brahmaviharas. Frank Ostaseski emphasizes the importance of the brahmaviharas and suggests the four qualities of love go beyond emotional states and are considered powerful and beautiful features of the human mind and heart. This session focuses on Metta which is the foundational quality, the deep wish for true happiness, forming the basis for the other qualities.

At the end of Upaya’s practice period studying Vasubandhu’s Yogacara teachings, Sensei Shinzan shares with us the story of Vasubandhu’s awakening. Vasubandhu, a diligent student attached to his ascetic form of practice, awoke upon hearing his teacher say “when the mind seeks nothing, this is called the Way.” Shinzan asks us “What are you chasing?” Are you practicing to be good, spiritual, free? When we practice to attain something outside of ourselves, we are bound to be stuck. Yet, Shinzan...

In this final session the Varela 2023 speakers share their reflections and thoughts on various topics discussed during the symposium. The conversation includes discussions about the relationship between knowledge and caring, the importance of narratives, the concept of care, and the role of narratives in shaping our understanding of the world. The speakers also touch upon  the need for multiple perspectives and voices in narratives. It’s a rich and diverse exchange of ideas and...

Andreas Roepstorff gives a charming talk on world and sense making, noting that precariousness, connectedness, and cooperation, concepts which help define sense making, are not esoteric but real and worth studying/ understanding. Andreas outlines the way he thinks about navigating in these meta analytic waters with the loosely held phrases Design, run, learn. This talk tries to answer big questions like, how do do we make sense of our own world, and how do we share our own meaning and sense...

Adam Frank describes his divergence from a quest for an ultimate reality in physics, emphasizing the need to change existing scientific narratives. He discusses the uniqueness of life in contrast to other physical systems, highlighting the role of information, especially semantic information, in life processes. The talk delves into the philosophical and scientific aspects of understanding the fundamental nature of reality and the significance of information in life and physics. To access the...

Richard Davidson discusses the remarkable impact of short, targeted interventions on human well-being. From addressing loneliness to enhancing empathy, these brief practices can create lasting positive change in individuals and communities. Join us on a journey through scientific findings and real-world examples that showcase the potential for transformation in just a few minutes a day. To access the resources page for this program, please sign up by clicking here.

In this talk Molly Crockett explores the transformative power of story telling. She emphasizes how our stories create the boundaries for the kind of world we think is possible. Molly also discusses related topics like the gift economy at Burning Man, challenging the norms of self-interest, and redefining generosity. To access the resources page for this program, please sign up by clicking here.

Melissa Nelson guides us on a profound journey through indigenous wisdom and ancient narratives. This talk discusses the deep-rooted lessons of kinship, courage, and cooperation that guide us towards a sustainable and harmonious future. Melissa explores the critical path from world-breaking to world-making, where we rediscover our interconnectedness and embrace our role as stewards of this precious Earth. To access the resources page for this program, please sign up by clicking here.

Laura Candiotto discusses the concept of responsibility in the context of participatory sense-making and ethical environmental concerns. She reflects on the experience of witnessing rivers drying up due to the climate crisis and poses questions about the kind of world we are creating. Laura introduces the notion of “participatory word-making,” emphasizing that our shared meanings and interactions co-create the world we inhabit. To access the resources page for this program, please sign up by...

John Dunne kicks off the Varela talks by discussing the symposium’s theme of inaction and sense-making, drawing parallels to organisms making sense of their environments and constructing categories based on survival and reproduction. John introduces the Buddhist concept of emptiness, emphasizing the absence of a categorical identity. Such as in the comparison of two mugs which highlights the notion that although objects may be labeled similarly, there is no physical essence that is exactly...

Roshi Joan and the other speakers frame the outline of the program, priming us for a captivating journey through the complexities of life, from indigenous epistemologies to the physics of existence. To access the resources page for this program, please sign up by clicking here.

Ben Connelly takes us on a deep dive into the history and the heart of Buddhist philosopher Vasubandhu and the influential Yogacara teachings. Ben describes how the Yogacara school sought to integrate early Buddhist teachings on afflictive emotions and Mahayana teachings on no-self and collective liberation. Fundamentally, these teachings point to the limitations of our experience. “We don’t have absolute truths, we have our particular perception right now, which is conditioned.” At the core...

Roshi and Frank delve into a deeply reflective exploration of gratitude, generosity, and the profound interconnectedness of life, framed within the context of personal experiences and insights. This program weaves together the personal narratives of Roshi, Frank, and the participants that underscores the significance of cultivating a compassionate and mindful approach to life, particularly in the face of mortality, loss, and the everyday challenges we encounter.

Sharon Salzberg reflects on her early life experiences of feeling fragmented and lacking a sense of coherence, values, and belonging. She discusses the concept of integration symbolized by the Buddha and uses the metaphor of visitors at the door as representing painful emotions. Frank emphasizes the importance of embracing life fully, welcoming everything with love, and cultivating an awakened heart. He also shares a story to highlight the impermanence inherently woven into life.

This is a continuation of the morning session (the final session of the program) during which Roshi, Frank, and the participants from the program open up and share their touching experiences, and final thoughts/ feelings from the sessions. In this open format Roshi and Frank talk back and forth with participants in this tender conclusion to Love and Death.

In this final session of the program, Roshi, Frank, and the participants from the program open up and share their touching experiences, and final thoughts/ feelings from the sessions. In this open format Roshi and Frank talk back and forth with participants in this tender conclusion to Love and Death.

In this session Frank initiates a discussion about the participants’ reactions to a series of photographs depicting individuals in the process of dying. The participants express what attracts and repels them in the images. Some mention being drawn to eye contact, smiles, or alertness in the dying individuals, while others are disturbed by signs of physical frailty or mental confusion. The discussion delves into the subjective nature of these reactions, with participants acknowledging their...

This is a continuation of the afternoon session during which Roshi guides a meditation practice focused on cultivating loving-kindness and compassion. The practice involves extending love and care to oneself and others, including those who may be difficult or trigger aversion. Roshi introduces phrases related to loving-kindness, compassion, and equanimity, emphasizing the intention to offer care and presence without attachment to outcomes. The talk continues with a focus on the Brahma...