Zoom Classes

Classes every Tuesday at 10am Pacific and Friday at 5pm Pacific.  

RECORDINGS:

September 22, 2023: Audio only. Reading from Ajahn Amaro on Lovingkindness.

September 15, 2023: Video on YouTube. Reading on the Three Refuges from Ajahn Amaro. Listen to audio below.

August 29, 2023: Video on YouTube. Three Characteristics from Ajahn Amaro. Listen to audio below.

August 22, 2023: Video on YouTube. Dependent Origination from Ajahn Amaro. Listen to audio below.

August 18, 2023: Audio only. Right View from Bhikkhu Bodhi.

August 8, 2023: Video on YouTube. “For the Newcomer” from Buddhism & The Twelve Steps Workbook. Listen to audio below.

August 1, 2023: Video on YouTube. FAQs on meditation Buddhism & The Twelve Steps Workbook. Tribute to Wes Nisker. Listen to audio below.

July 25, 2023: Video on YouTubeBuddhism & The Twelve Steps Workbook, p 41-42. Tips for meditation. Listen to audio below.

July 21, 2023: Video on YouTube. “Born from Those Who Are Dear.” Looking at a sutta on attachment to loved ones. Listen to audio below.

July 18, 2023: Video on YouTube. What is meditation? And the risks of sensual craving from the Middle Length Discourses # 54 “To Potaliya.” Listen to audio below.

July 11, 2023: Video on YouTube. Q&A with Kevin. The Steps, Mindfulness, Fearlessness, Energy. Listen to audio below.

July 7, 2023: Video on YouTube. Ann Peruzzi talks about the Three Characteristics, focusing on impermanence. Listen to audio below.

July 4, 2023: Video on YouTube. “Interdependence Day”, reflections on Thich Nhat Hanh’s Order of Interbeing. Listen to audio below.

June 30, 2023: Video on YouTube. “Step 6 Spiritual Awakening.” A reading from Buddhism & the Twelve Steps Daily Reflections. Listen to audio below.

June 27, 2023: Video on YouTube. “Spiritual Urgency.” Exploring the Buddhist term “samvega.” Listen to audio below.

June 23, 2023: Video on YouTube. “Mindfulness of Feelings,” a reading from Ajahn Amaro’s books Silent Rain. Listen to audio below.

June 20, 2023: Video on YouTube. Debbie Darrin, “How Is It Now?” Working with RAIN meditation. Listen to audio below.

June 16, 2023: Video on YouTube. “Studying the Dharma.” Approaches to learning more about Buddhism. Listen to audio below. (No guided meditation.)

June 13, 2023: Video on YouTube. “Craving for Extermination.” The nihilistic impulse of addiction. Listen to audio below.

June 6, 2023: Video on YouTube. “Paying Attention to the Mind” from Buddhism & The Twelve Steps Workbook. Listen to audio below.

May 30, 2023: Video on YouTube. More “Mindfulness Meditation” from the Buddhism & The Twelve Steps Workbook. Listen to audio below.

May 26, 2023: Video on YouTube.  “Mindfulness Meditation” from the Buddhism & The Twelve Steps Workbook. Listen to audio below.

May 23, 2023: Video on YouTube. Questions and discussion. Listen to audio below.

May 16, 2023: Video on YouTube. What Shows Up in Meditation, exploring the practice. Listen to audio below.

May 9, 2023: Video on YouTube. “How to Use This Book,” from Buddhism & The Twelve Steps Workbook.  Listen to audio below. 

May 5, 2023: Video on YouTube. Introduction to Buddhism & The Twelve Steps Workbook. Listen to audio below. 

May 2, 2023: Video on YouTube. The Hindrances and Character Defects with Ann Bolger Peruzzi. Listen to audio below.

April 25, 2023: Video on YouTube. Equanimity and Happiness. Listen to audio below.

April 18, 2023: Video on YouTube. Greg Pergament leads the group.  Wholesome desires vs unwholesome desires. Listen to audio below.

April 11, 2023: Video on YouTube. Continuing reading from a work in progress on the Anapanasati Sutta, Mindfulness of Breathing. Listen to audio below.

April 7, 2023: Video on YouTube. “Wrestling with the Buddha.” Reading from a work in progress on the Anapanasati Sutta, Mindfulness of Breathing. Introduction and Setting. Listen to audio below.

April 4, 2023: Video on YouTube. Continuing the Path of Recovery, the final section of “A Burning Desire.” Listen to audio below.

March 31, 2023: Video on YouTube. Does Prayer Work? From Step Eleven, “A Burning Desire.” Listen to audio below.

March 28, 2023: Video on YouTube. The Power of Mindfulness Q&A. Listen to audio below.

March 24, 2023: Video on YouTube. Step Eleven continues, from “A Burning Desire. Listen to audio below.

March 21, 2023: Video on YouTube. Step Eleven from “A Burning Desire.” Listen to audio below.

March 17, 2023: Video on YouTube. Debbie Darrin leads the class. Listen to audio below.

March 14, 2023: Video on YouTube. Continuing with Step Seven from “A Burning Desire.” Listen to audio below.

March 7, 2023: Video on YouTube. Ann Bolger-Peruzzi talks about love and compassion. Listen to audio below.

February 28, 2023: Video on YouTube. From Step Seven in “A Burning Desire,” Calm and Concentration. Listen to audio below.

February 24, 2023: Video on YouTube. Looking at the Anapanasati Sutta, Mindfulness of Breathing. Listen to audio below.

February 21, 2023: Video on YouTube. From Step Seven in “A Burning Desire.” Mindfulness/insight. Listen to audio below.

February 17, 2023: Video on YouTube. Opening of Step Seven from “A Burning Desire.” Listen to audio below.

February 14, 2023: Video on YouTube. Step Six from “A Burning Desire.” Listen to audio below.

February 7, 2023: Video on YouTube. Letting Go, from “A Burning Desire.” Listen to audio below.

February 3, 2023: Video on YouTube. “Purification of Mind,” a reading from Bhikkhu Bodhi’s book of essays. Listen to audio below.

January 31, 2023: Video on YouTube. The Exact Nature of Our Wrongs from “A Burning Desire. Listen to audio below.

January 27, 2023. Video on YouTube. Intro to Step 5 in “A Burning Desire.” Listen to audio below.

January 24, 2023: Video on YouTube. Debbie Darren subs and talks about Taking Refuge. Listen to audio below.

January 20, 2023: Video on YouTube. The Karma of Non-Action, from “A Burning Desire.” Listen to audio below.

January 17, 2023: Video on YouTube. Emotional Karma, from “A Burning Desire.” Listen to audio below.

January 10, 2023: Video on YouTube. The First Foundation of Mindfulness, from Wes Nisker’s “Being Nature.” Listen to audio below.

January 6, 2023: Video on YouTube. Taking Refuge, from Step 3 in “A Burning Desire.” Listen to audio below.

January 3, 2023: Video on YouTube. Q&R on Right Effort. Listen to audio below.

December 27, 2022: Video on YouTube. “Turning Our Will and Our Lives Over to the Dharma” from “A Burning Desire.” Listen to audio below.

December 23, 2022: Video on YouTube. Step Three from “A Burning Desire.” Listen to audio below.

December 20, 2022: Video on YouTube. “Losing God, Finding Buddha,” pp 148-150 in “A Burning Desire.” Listen to audio below.


December 16, 2022:
 Video on YouTube. Continuing to explore the Serenity Prayer. Listen to audio below.

December 13, 2022. Video on YouTube. From “A Burning Desire,” exploring the Serenity Prayer in relation to Step 2. Listen to audio below.

November 29, 2022. Video on YouTube. From “A Burning Desire,” the section on Higher Power as a mystery. Listen to audio below.

November 25, 2022. Video on YouTube. Exploring the Anapanasati Sutta section on feeling and perception. Listen to audio below.

November 22, 2022. Video on YouTube. From “A Burning Desire,” reading from the section on community. Listen to audio below.

November 18, 2022. Video on YouTube. Ten Fetters: exploring the things that block us from enlightenment. Listen to audio below.

November 15, 2022. Video on YouTube. From “A Burning Desire,” discussing the section on Higher Power of Spiritual Awakening. Listen to audio below.

November 8, 2022. Video on YouTube. From “A Burning Desire,” discussing the section on Higher Power of Presence. Listen to audio below.

November 1, 2022. Video on YouTube. Reflections on a visit to Abhayagiri Monastery for the Kathina festival and the Thai Forest tradition. Listen to audio below.

October 28, 2022. Video on YouTube. Exploring the idea that connection is the opposite of addiction. Listen to audio below.

October 25, 2022. Video on YouTube. Exploring the energy aspect of the Seven Factors of Enlightenment. Listen to audio below.

October 21, 2022. Video on YouTube. Anapanasati Sutta, second tetrad: breathing with feelings and perceptions. Listen to audio below.

October 18, 2022. No video. Guest teacher, Debbie Darren talks about equanimity and allowing space. Listen to audio below.

October 11, 2022. Video on YouTube. Simile of the Saw, the sutta on hatred and loving kindness. Listen to audio below.

October 7, 2022. Video on YouTube. Constructing Self. Continuing to explore how we create a sense of self. Listen to audio below.

October 4, 2022. Video on YouTube. Five Aggregates of Clinging. These things create the sense of self which causes suffering. Listen to audio below.

September 27, 2022. Video on YouTube. The importance of faith in ourselves and our path. Listen to audio below.

September 23, 2022. Video on YouTube. Ann Bolger Peruzzi draws from my Buddhism & the Twelve Steps Daily Reflections to discuss the idea of the 12 Steps as an archetypal spiritual path. Listen to audio below.

September 13, 2022. Video on YouTube. Anapanasati Sutta.  Continuing to explore the sutta on mindful breathing, a foundational text in the Pali CanonListen to audio below.

August 30, 2022. Video on YouTube. The role of faith as a Higher Power in recovery work. Listen to audio below.

August 26, 2022. Video on YouTube. How Right Concentration can be seen as an aspect of Higher Power in 12 Step work. Listen to audio below.

August 23, 2022. Video on YouTube. Higher Power of Right Effort. Listen to audio below.

August 19, 2022. Video on YouTube. Exploring the Anapanasati Sutta. The Buddha’s instruction on mindful with breathing. Listen to audio below.

August 16, 2022. Video on YouTube. Session of Q&A. Listen to audio below. 

August 9, 2022. Video on YouTube.  Continuing to work with my book “A Burning Desire: Dharma God and the Path of Recovery.” Here the topic is the Five Precepts. Meditation uses the Anapanasati Sutta. Listen to audio below.

August 5, 2022.  Video on YouTube. Continuing to work with my book “A Burning Desire: Dharma God and the Path of Recovery.” Right Speech as a Higher Power. Listen to audio below.

August 2, 2022. Video on YouTube. Right Intention as Higher Power. Listen to audio below.

July 29, 2022. Video on YouTube. Debbie Darrin subs. Her topic is the Year to Live practice. Listen to audio below.

July 26, 2022: Video on YouTube. Walt Opie subs. His topic is investigating and navigating our emotional struggles and pain. Listen to audio below.

July 22, 2022: Video on YouTube. Ann Bolger Peruzzi subs. Her topic is using intention to cultivate loving kindness. Listen to audio below. 

July 15, 2022: Video on YouTube. Debbie Darrin subs. Her topic is energy and effort in our practice and our recovery.  Listen to audio below.

July 12, 2022: Video on YouTube. Walt Opie substitutes. The topic is Sympathetic Joy, one of the Brahmaviharas. Listen to audio below.

July 5, 2022: Right View: Video on YouTube. Showing how Right View can be seen as a Higher Power. Listen to audio below.

July 1, 2022: Higher Power of the Eightfold Path: Video on YouTube. Starting a series on the Eightfold Path as Dharma God(s). Listen to audio below.

June 28, 2022: Higher Power of Love (cont.): Video on YouTube. More from “A Burning Desire” exploring Dharma God. Listen to audio below.

June 21,  2022: Higher Power of Love: Video on YouTube. Using my book “A Burning Desire” to explore the 12 Step idea of Higher Power. Listen to audio below.

June 17, 2022: Enlightenment: Video on YouTube. Exploring a Buddhist sutta that connects having a spiritual community with seeing impermanence and not self, leading to enlightenment. Listen to audio below.

June 14, 2022: Impermanence (cont.): Video on YouTube. More on the Higher Power of Impermanence. Listen to audio below,

June 7, 2022: The Higher Power of Impermanence: Video on YouTube. How understanding and surrendering to the inevitability of change can support our spiritual growth. Listen to audio below.

May 31, 2022: The Higher Power of Suffering: Video on YouTube. How suffering can inspire change and growth. Listen to audio below.

May 27, 2022: The Higher Power of Wisdom: Video on YouTube. How insight into impermanence, suffering, and not-self can support our recovery. Listen to audio below.

May 24, 2022: Mindfulness of Breathing: Video on YouTube. Exploring the Anapanasati Sutta. Listen to audio below.

May 10, 2022: Higher Power of Mindfulness (cont). Video on YouTube. (Talk only. No guided meditation). Continuing to work with “A Burning Desire.” Listen to audio below.

May 3, 2022: Mindfulness and Clear Comprehension: Video on YouTube. Focusing on the importance of Clear Comprehension in the Eightfold Path. Listen to audio below.

April 26, 2022: Higher Power of Mindfulness: Video on YouTube. Continuing to explore my book, “A Burning Desire: Dharma God and the Path of Recovery.” Listen to audio below.

April 15, 2022: The Higher Power of Karma (cont): Video on YouTube. Continuing to explore my book, “A Burning Desire: Dharma God and the Path of Recovery.” Listen to audio below.

April 12, 2022: The Higher Power of Karma (cont.): Audio only. 

April 5, 2022: The Higher Power of Karma: Video on YouTube. Exploring the Law of Cause and Effect. Listen to audio below.

March 29, 2022: Burning Desire Intro (cont): Video on YouTube. Continuing the introduction of A Burning Desire. Listen to audio below.

March 25, 2022: Dharma God (cont): Video on YouTube. Continuing to explore the introduction to A Burning Desire. Listen to audio below.

March 22, 2022: Energy of Breath: Video on YouTube. Exploring the sutta on Mindfulness of Breath. Listen to audio below.

March 18, 2022: Powerlessness: Video on YouTube. From “A Burning Desire,” exploring Step One Powerlessness. Listen to audio below.

March 15, 2022: Defining Spirituality: Video on YouTube. From “A Burning Desire,” taking apart the idea of “spiritual” to make it more accessible. Listen to audio below.

March 8, 2022: A Burning Desire, Intro (cont): Video on YouTube. Returning from retreat, I continue with the introduction to my book “A Burning Desire: Dharma God and the Path of Recovery.” Listen to audio below.

March 4, 2022: Walt Opie: Video on YouTube. Walt Opie visits the group. Walt is a Buddhist teacher trained by Joseph Goldstein at IMS and in the Community Dharma Leader program at Spirit Rock. He was worked with people in recovery and prison inmates for many years. Listen to audio below.

March 1, 2022: Greg Pergament:  Video on YouTube. Meditation and Qigong teacher visits the group. He is the author of “Chi Kung in Recovery.” Listen to audio below.

February 25, 2022: War and Peace: Audio only. As Russia invades Ukraine, I talk about Buddhist attitudes toward violence and war. Readings from Thich Nhat Hanh and Bhikkhu Bodhi. Listen to audio below.

February 22, 2022: Dharma God: Video on YouTube. From the introduction to “A Burning Desire.” I describe the beginning of my exploration of Higher Power from a Buddhist perspective. Listen to audio below.

February 18, 2022: A Burning Desire: Video on YouTube. Starting to use my second book, A Burning Desire: Dharma God and the Path of Recovery. Listen to audio below.

February 15, 2022: Living Kindness: Video on YouTube. We take up the topic of love and compassion for Valentine’s Day, using my book “Living Kindness.” Listen to audio below.

February 8, 2022: Back to Step One: (No video available). Closing “One Breath at a Time” with the suggestion that we continue working the Steps. This talk includes reflections on writing the book itself. Listen to audio below.

February 4, 2022: Breadth of Practice: Daily Mindfulness: Video on YouTube. Exploring how we use mindfulness in our daily life and in recovery. Listen to audio below.

February 1, 2022: Developing Concentration: Video on YouTube. The last factor of the Eightfold Path, Right Concentration. It’s role in recovery, what it is, and how to develop it. Listen to audio below.

January 28, 2022: Mindfulness of Dhammas:  Video on YouTube. Exploring the Fourth Foundation of Mindfulness, especially the hindrances and awakening factors. Listen to audio below.

January 25, 2021: Mindfulness of Mind: Video on YouTube. Exploring the third Foundation of Mindfulness. Listen to audio below.

January 21, 2022: Thich Nhat Hanh:  Video on Youtube. Reflections on this Buddhist master on the day of his death. Listen to audio below.

January 11, 2022: Mindfulness of Feeling Tone: Video on YouTube. The second of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness, vedana. Listen to audio below.

January 7, 2022: Mindfulness of the Body: Video on YouTube. The first of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness. Listen to audio below.

January 4, 2022: Right Mindfulness: Video on YouTube. We begin a series on mindfulness itself. All of this is part of the Step 12 reflection on “Practicing these principles in all our affairs.” Listen to audio below.

December 31, 2021: Right Effort: Video on YouTube. Moving into the meditation aspect of the Noble Eightfold Path. Listen to audio below.

December 28, 2021: Sila: Video on YouTube. Exploring the morality/ethics elements of the Eightfold Path: Right Speech, Right Action, and Right Livelihood. Listen to audio below.

December 17, 2021: Right Intention: Video on YouTube. The second element of the Noble Eightfold Path. Listen to audio below.

December 14, 2021: Right View: Audio only. We begin a series on the Noble Eightfold Path. Listen to audio below.

November 26, 2021: Offering Your Head: Audio only. Reflections on service and Step 12. 

November 23, 2021: Measuring Up: Video on YouTube.  Step 12, “One Breath at a Time,” reflecting on enlightenment. Listen to audio below.

November 19, 2021: Spiritual Awakening: Video on YouTube. Step 12 from the “Buddhism and the Twelve Steps Workbook.” Listen to audio below.

November 9, 2021: Brahmaviharas: Audio only. The Four Divine Abodes, loving-kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity. Listen to audio below.

October 29, 2021: Depth of Practice: Video on YouTube. From Step 11, “One Breath at a Time,” more about intensive practice. Listen to audio below.

October 22, 2021: Going on Retreat: Video on YouTube. Discussing the value and experience of intensive, silent meditation retreat. Listen to audio below.

October 15, 2021: Clear Comprehension: Video on YouTube. From “One Breath at a Time,” the element of mindfulness that guides us in decision making and action. Listen to audio below.

October 12, 2021: Whose Will?: Video on YouTube. From “One Breath at a Time,” exploring the concept of “God’s will” from a Buddhist perspective. Listen to audio below.

October 5, 2021: Metta: Video on YouTube. From “One Breath at a Time,” exploring the loving-kindness. Listen to audio below. Listen to audio below.

September 28, 2021: Born from Those Who Are Dear. Video on YouTube. From “Living Kindness,” reflections on the suffering that arises through attachment in relationship. Listen to audio below.

September 24, 2021: Simile of the Saw: Video on YouTube. From “Living Kindness,” reflections on non-hatred. Listen to audio below.

September 21, 2021: Like Milk and Water: Video on YouTube. From “Living Kindness,” reflections on living in community. Listen to audio below.

September 17, 2021: May I Be Peaceful: Video on YouTube. For the reflections on Metta/Lovingkindness, I start to use my book “Living Kindness: Buddhist Teachings for a Troubled World.” This section is on loving yourself. Listen to audio below.

September 14, 2021: Buddhist Prayer: Video on YouTube. From Step 11, “One Breath at a Time.” Listen to audio below.

September 7, 2021: The Lord’s Prayer: Video on YouTube. I go through the section on the Lord’s Prayer in Step 11 of “One Breath at a Time.” Also, time spent on standing meditation. Listen to audio below.

September 3, 2021: Walt Opie: Video on YouTube. Buddhist recovery teacher, Walt Opie, teaches the class. Listen to audio below.

August 27, 2021: Contact: Video on YouTube. From Step 11 in “One Breath at a Time.” Lovingkindness meditation. Listen to audio below.

August 24, 2021: The Seeker: Video on YouTube. From Step 11 in “One Breath at a Time,” with concentration meditation practice. Listen to audio below.

August 20, 2021: Introduction to Step 11: Video on YouTube. Starting Step 11 in “One Breath at a Time. ” With this Step I introduce a variety of meditation practices. This time a guided “Body Scan.” Listen to audio below.

August 17, 2021: Walt Opie: Video  on YouTube. Walt Opie, Buddhist teacher, leads the class. Listen to audio below.

August 10, 2021: Maintaining Joy. Video on YouTube. From Step 10, “One Breath at a Time.” Listen to audio below.

August 6, 2021: Dukkha of Maintenance: Video on YouTube. Looking at how the daily challenges of life are in themselves “dukkha.” Listen to audio below.

August 3, 2021: Really Promptly: Video on YouTube. From Step 10 in “One Breath at at Time.” Listen to audio below.

July 30, 2021: Appreciation: Video on YouTube. This talks explores the illusion that our mind is in control. 

July 27, 2021: Over and Over: Video on YouTube. The repetitive nature of Step 10. Listen to audio below.

July 23, 2021: Admitting We’re Wrong: Video on YouTube. The importance of honestly admitting our failing in maintaining our recovery. In the opening I talk about elements of concentration. Listen to audio below.

July 16, 2021: One Continuous Mistake: Video on YouTube. I read from “Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind,” by Suzuki Roshi. His phrase, “one continuous mistake,” points to the difficulty of meditating, and, indeed of life. Listen to audio below.

July 13, 2021: Introduction to Step Ten: Video on YouTube. The opening of Step 10 from “One Breath at a Time.” Listen to audio below.

July 6, 2021: Fulfillment: Video on YouTube. Part 3 of “One Breath at a Time” is called “Fulfillment,” and in this video I read from and talk about the introduction to this section. Listen to audio below.

July 2, 2021: What We Could Not Do for Ourselves: Video on YouTube. Continuing with the Promises from Step 9 in the AA Big Book. Reading from my book Buddhism & Twelve Steps Daily Reflections. Listen to audio below.

June 25, 2021: Intuition: Video on YouTube. Continuing with the Promises and how recovery helps us with intuition. Meditation only increases this. Listen to audio below.

June 22, 2021: Fear of Economic Insecurity: Video on YouTube. Continuing with the Promises. Listen to audio below.

June 18, 2021: Fear of People: Video on YouTube. Continuing with the Promises from AA. Here I discuss the idea of isolating out of depression or fear of being seen. Listen to audio below.

June 15, 2021: Gaining Interest in Others: Video on YouTube.  Initially I reflect on formless meditation and working with underlying agitation. Then I come back to the Promises from AA to talk about caring about and helping others. Reading from my book Buddhism & Twelve Steps Daily Reflections. Listen to audio below.

June 8, 2021: 36 Years: Video on YouTube. I discuss my recovery anniversary. First I reflect on stages of recovery over years, and then in the context of the “Three Characteristics” the Buddha talks about: impermanence, suffering and not-self. Listen to audio below.

June 4, 2021: Our Experience Can Benefit Others: Video on YouTube. Continuing with the AA Promises, I explore how being of service becomes integrated into our lives beyond just our recovery work. Reading from my book Buddhism & Twelve Steps Daily Reflections. Listen to audio below.

June 1, 2021: Knowing Peace: Video on YouTube. Continuing to go through “The Promises” from the Big Book of AA. This is “you will comprehend the word serenity and you will now peace.” I explore ways to develop concentration and serenity in meditation. Reading from my book Buddhism & Twelve Steps Daily Reflections. Listen to audio below.

May 28, 2021: Not Regret the Past: Video on YouTube. Continuing the 9th Step Promises from “Buddhism and the Twelve Steps Daily Reflections.” Listen to audio below.

May 25, 2021: A New Happiness: Video on YouTube. Continuing the 9th Step Promises from “Buddhism and the Twelve Steps Daily Reflections.” . Listen to audio below.

May 18, 2021: Painstaking: Video on YouTube. First of the  9th Step Promises from “Buddhism and the Twelve Steps Daily Reflections.” . Listen to audio below.

May 11, 2021: Top of the List: Video on YouTube. Making amends to ourselves. Listen to audio below.

May 7, 2021: Forgiveness: Video on YouTube. The role of forgiveness in the amends process and in Buddhist teachings. Listen to audio below.

May 4, 2021: Living Amends: Video on YouTube. Taking the amends process beyond the personal into a more general way of living that tries to make up for the harm we’ve done. Listen to audio below.

April 30, 2021: Bill (Step 9): Video on YouTube. The story of making amends to my father (Bill). Listen to audio below.

April 27, 2021: The Five-Hundred Pound Telephone: Video on YouTube. Personal stories of making amends. Listen to audio below.

April 23, 2021: Introduction to Step Nine:  Video on YouTube. Addressing the challenges of making amends. Listen to audio below.

April 16, 2021: Making the List: (audio only) More on Step Eight.

April 13, 2021: The End of Isolation: (audio only). How making facing our failings and preparing to make amends helps us to be less separate from others. 

April 6, 2021: The Whole Pattern of Our Lives: Video on YouTube. Seeing how the Eighth Step list reveals many of our issues. Listen to audio below.

April 2, 2021: Meditaton Q&A: Video on YouTube. A dialogue about challenges in mindfulness meditation. Listen to audio below.

March 30, 2021: Introduction to Step Eight: Video on YouTube. Starting to talk about amends, and the list of those we harmed. Listen to audio below.

March 26, 2021: Humbly Humbled: Video on YouTube. Wrapping up Step 7 in “One Breath at a Time.” Listen to audio below.

March 23, 2021: The Three P’s: Video on YouTube. Perfectionism, leads to Procrastination, and to Paralysis: the Three P’s. Listen to audio below. 

March 19, 2021: Don’t Overdo It (cont.): Video on YouTube. More about the extremes addicts tend to go to. Listen to audio below. 

March 16, 2021: Don’t Overdo It: Video on YouTube. Balancing the talk about renunciation, this section addresses the extremes that addicts can go to, including extreme renunciation. Listen to audio below.

March 9, 2021: A Dirty Word: Video on YouTube. This section of “One Breath” explores the idea of renunciation. Listen to audio below.

March 5, 2021: Right View: Video on YouTube. Following the discussion of self is a discussion of the first factor of the Eightfold Path, Right View. Listen to audio below.

March 2, 2021: Who Am I?Video on YouTube. Another section of Step Seven from “One Breath at a Time” exploring how self-identity can be transformed in recovery. Listen to audio below.

February 26, 2021: Being on Retreat: Video on YouTube. Having just completed a five day silent retreat at home, I share some experiences and thoughts. Listen to audio below.

February 23, 2021: It’s a Process: Video on YouTube. Back to “One Breath at a Time,” Step 7. Looking at how “removing defects of character” is not a one-time event, but an ongoing process. Listen to audio below.

February 19: Buddhadasa continued: Video on YouTube. More thoughts from Buddhadasa on Dharma and God. Listen to audio below.

February 16, 2021: Buddhadasa Bhikkhu: Christianity and Buddhism: Video on YouTube. Looking at the teachings of a legendary Thai Forest monk. His explanation can help us to make the connection between God and Dharma. Listen to audio below.

February 9, 2021: Letting Go: Video on YouTube. Looking at my book “A Burning Desire” in Step Seven. Listen to audio below.

February 5, 2021: Power and Powerlessness: Video on YouTube. Beginning Step 7, addressing the Higher Power questions. Listen to audio below.

February 2, 2021: Feeling Feelings III: Video on YouTube. A final exploration of feeling. Seeing feelings simply as energies. Stepping out of the personal view of feelings. Listen to audio below.

January 29, 2021: Who You Callin’ Defective?: Video on YouTube. Addressing the language of “defects” and “shortcomings” in the Steps. Looking at the challenges of both being too hard on ourselves and also the risk of not being honest about our real failings. Listen to audio below.

January 26, 2021: We Are Not Saints: Video on YouTube. Back in One Breath at a TimeStep 6. This sections talks about accepting imperfection in your meditation practice. Listen to audio below.

January 22, 2021: Jhanas: Video on YouTube. Here I connect the practice of feeling feelings with developing jhana which include attention to feelings of bliss and joy. Listen to audio below.

January 19, 2021: Feeling Feelings II: Video on YouTube. Another part of Step 6 in One Breath at a Time where I describe the instruction I got from Jack Kornfield and Joseph Goldstein for working with feelings. Listen to audio below. 

January 15, 2021: Insistent Visitors: Video on YouTube. Looking at Jack Kornfield’s teaching on working with feelings in meditation, from A Path with Heart. Listen to audio below.

January 12, 2021: Feeling Feelings (cont.): Video on YouTube. Continuing to explore working with feelings in meditation (based on One Breath at a Time, Step 6). Listen to audio below. 

January 5, 2021: Feeling Feelings: Video on YouTube. Beginning an exploration of working with different kinds of feelings in meditation. Listen to audio below.

December 29, 2020: Are You Ready?: Video on YouTube. The beginning of Step Six, “were entirely ready.” Listen to audio below.

December 25, 2020: Introduction to Step Six: Video on YouTube. The heart of the Steps, Step Six opens wide ranging topics to discuss. Listen to audio below.

December 18, 2020: Group Sharing: Video on YouTube. People in the group are invited to share. Listen to audio below.

December 15, 2020: Mindful Listening: Video on YouTube. Exploring how to practice mindfulness in listening in conversation. Listen to audio below.

December 8, 2020: Right Speech: Video on YouTube. More exploration of mindfulness of speech from “One Breath at a Time.” Listen to audio below.

December 4, 2020: Guest Teacher Oren Jay Sofer: Video on YouTube. Author of “Say What You Mean.” Visit Oren’s website. Listen to audio below.

December 1, 2020: Noble Friends and Noble Conversation (cont.): Video on YouTube. Further discussion of community versus individual on the path. Listen to audio below.

November 27, 2020: Noble Friends and Noble Conversation:  Video on YouTube. Continuing from Step Five in “One Breath,” now looking at what the Buddha said about the importance of community. Connecting that to recovery. Listen to audio below.

November 24, 2020: Working with Physical Pain: Video on YouTube. A talk about working with in meditation and in daily life. Listen to audio below.


November 20, 2020: Rigorous Honesty
: Video on YouTube. “One Breath at a Time,” Step Five. Listen to audio below.

November 17, 2020: Breaking the Silence: Video on YouTube. Back into “One Breath at a Time,” Step Five. Listen to audio below.

 November 10, 2020: More on Right Speech: Video on YouTube. Using Bhikkhu Bodhi’s “Noble Eightfold Path, I explore Right Speech as a spiritual practice and the deeper implication of honesty and truth. Listen to audio below,

 November 6, 2020: Taking Refuge: Video on YouTube. As we wait for election results, I reflect on what is really important in our lives. Listen to audio below.

November 3, 2020: Greed, Hatred, and Delusion: Video on YouTube. An emotional class on election day. Listen to audio below. 

October 30, 2020: Step 5 Introduction: Video on YouTube. Beginning to look at how Step 5 relates to Buddhism, particularly in relation to Right Speech. Listen to audio below.

October 27, 2020: More Revealed: Video on YouTube. Wrapping up Step 4. Listen to audio below. 

October 23, 2020: Buddhist Lists:  Video on YouTube. As we wind up Step Four, I review the lists we covered as “Buddhist inventory.” Listen to audio below.

October 20, 2020: Ten Perfections: Renunciation, pt 3: Video on YouTube. The third talk on renunciation, this one focused on renouncing ego. Listen to audio below.

October 16, 2020: Ten Perfections: Renunciationm, pt 2: Video on YouTube. The second talk on renunciation, this one focused on renouncing greed, hated, and delusion. Listen to audio below.

October 13, 2020: Ten Perfections: Renunciation: Video on YouTube. The first of three talks on renunciation. This one covers renunciation on the worldly level. Listen to audio below.

October 6, 2020: Factors of Awakening – Joy (cont): Video on YouTube. Continuing the exploration of the role of joy in the path. Listen to audio below.

September 29, 2020: Factors of Awakening – Joy:  Video on YouTube. Exploring joy as an aspect of the spiritual path. Listen to audio below.

September 25, 2020: Factors of Awakening (cont.): Video on YouTube. Looking at other dimensions of investigation in meditation practice. Listen to audio below.

September 22, 2020: Factors of Awakening: Video on YouTube. Continuing on positive inventory with the first three elements of the 7 Factors of Awakening: mindfulness, investigation, and energy. Listen to audio below.

September 18, 2020: Positive Inventory: Video on YouTube. We begin an exploration of positive ways of looking at inventory. Listen to audio below.

September 15, 2020: Five Precepts (cont.): Video on YouTube. This talks goes into the precepts on sexual misconduct and not using intoxicants. Listen to audio below.

September 8, 2020: Five Precepts: Video on YouTube. This talks looks at the first two precepts, not to kill or steal, especially as they relate to recovery. Listen to audio below.

September 4, 2020: Doubt: Video on YouTube. This talks explores the hindrance of Doubt, as well as what’s called “Great Doubt” in the Zen tradition. I draw from Stephen Batchelor’s book “The Faith to Doubt.” Listen to audio below.

September 1, 2020: Energy: Video on YouTube. This talk explores the hindrances of Sloth and Torpor and Restlessness and Worry as an energetic states. Listen to audio below.

August 28, 2020: Depression: Video on YouTube. Expanding on the exploration of aversion, I explore the elements of depression and how to work with them with Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy and other teachings and recovery tools. Listen to audio below.

August 25, 2020: Aversion: Video on YouTube. Here I get into the second Hindrance, aversion. Listen to audio below.

August 21, 2020: Craving: Video on YouTube. Further exploration of the Hindrance of desire. Readings from The Craving Mind by Judson Brewer and Satipatthana by Venerable Analayo. Listen to audio below.

August 18, 2020: Hindrance Inventory: Video on YouTube. I get into the suttas where the Buddha uses two similes to describe the problem of the Five Hindrances. Listen to audio below.

August 11, 2020: Eightfold Path, cont: Video on YouTube. Looking at other elements of the Noble Eightfold Path as areas for meditative inventory. Listen to audio below.

 

August 7, 2020: Buddhist Inventory. Video on YouTube. Beginning to explore how we can use Buddhist teachings as guides to inventory. Not covered in the book, but discussed here, is the idea of using the Eightfold Path as a guide to exploring where we are on our spiritual path. Listen or download audio below.

 

 

August 4, 2020: Why’s It So Hard? Video on YouTube. Reflecting on the challenge to the ego from writing Step 4 inventory. Listen or download audio below.

 

 

July 31, 2020: Why Inventory? Video on YouTube. A short reading followed by some sharing on people’s experiences with inventory. Listen or download audio below.

 

 

July 28, 2020: Challenge to Meditators. (No video) In this class, we talk about the challenge to increase the time of your meditation periods. Listen or download below.

 

 

July 24, 2020: Step Four Introduction. (No video) In this session I read from and discuss the opening of Step Four in One Breath at a Time. Listen or download below.

 

 

July 21, 2020: Part Two: Investigation and Responsibility: Video on YouTube. Part Two of One Breath at a Time covers Steps 4-9. This is the opening to that section. Listen or download audio below.

 

 

July 17, 2020: Reflection on Meditation: Video on YouTube. Discussing some of the subtle aspects and challenges of meditation practice. Listen or download audio below.

 

 

July 14, 2020: Too Much Faith: Video on YouTube. Looking at the dangers of blind faith on a spiritual path. Listen or download audio below.

 

 

July 7, 2020: Too Much Wisdom: Video on YouTube. Looking at how over-intellectualizing can get in the way of spiritual practice and Steps 3. Listen or download audio below.

 

 

June 30, 2020: Totally Under Control: Video on YouTube. Looking back at the ways I tried to solve my problems without facing my alcoholism and addiction. Listen or download audio below.

 

 

June 26, 2020: Finding Our Own Words: Video on YouTube. I showed up late for this class, so the recording starts after the meditation. This section of the book is about language in spiritual teachings.

 

 

June 23, 2020: Sharing: Video on YouTube. In this session I opened it up for people to share and ask questions. Listen or download audio below.

 

 

June 19, 2020: Growing on the Path: Video on YouTube. I talk about my own development in recovery and how Buddhism and the Steps eventually merged. Listen or download audio below.

 

 

June 16, 2020: Don’t Know: Video on YouTube. “Don’t Know” is a Zen idea that acknowledges the unknowability of God and many other things. Instead of looking for answers to “what or who is God?” we practice “don’t know.” This teaching comes from Zen Mater Soen Sunim. Listen or download audio below.

 

 

June 12, 2020: Spirit Rock Class – Step Six, Addiction and Racism: Chat with resources

 

June 5, 2020: Understanding God (cont.): Video on YouTube. Continuing this section of “One Breath at a Time” by discussing the Akron Pamphlet “Spiritual Dimensions of Alcoholics Anonymous” and some of the definitions of God from my book “A Burning Desire.” Note: this class and others are taking place, not only during the Covid-19 pandemic, but the uprising for racial justice in the wake of George Floyd’s murder by Minneapolis police. Listen to or download audio below.

 

 

June 2, 2020: Understanding God: Video on YouTube. This section of Step Three explores Buddhadasa Bhikkhu’s comparison of Christianity and Buddhism and how he talks about “Dhamma God.” (“Dhamma” is Pali for “Dharma”). Also some discussion of the current crises in the US around racial injustice and the trauma we are all experiencing. Listen to or download audio below.

 

 

May 29, 2020: Making a Decision: Video on YouTube. Step Three continues. Here I talk about my own first year of sobriety and holding back from commitment. I connect Right Intention with the idea of “made a decision” in Step Three. Listen to or download audio below.

 

 

May 26, 2020: Step Three Introduction: Video on YouTube. Guided meditation on using “counting the breath” to deepen concentration. Talk covers commitment and begins the discussion of Higher Power from a Dharma perspective. Listen or download audio below.

 

 

May 22, 2020: Perspectives on Meditation: Video on YouTube. Listen or download audio below.

 

 

May 19, 2020: Faith, the Spiritual Faculty: Video on YouTube. Listen or download audio below.

 

 

 

May 15, 2020: How Can I Believe?: Video on YouTube. Listen or download audio below.

 

 

May 12, 2020: Who You Callin’ Crazy? Step 2: Video on YouTube. Listen or download audio below.

 

 

Tuesday, April 21, 2020. This session introduces Step Two on page 30. Listen or download audio below.

 

 

 

 

Friday, April 17, 2020. This session focuses on meditation. Guided practice, “Vipassana,” from pp. 28-29 in One Breath at a Time. Listen or download audio below.

 

 

 

 

Tuesday, April 7, 2020. This session covers the “Four Noble Truths,” from pages 22-24 in One Breath at a Time. Here is the video. And here is the audio.

 

Tuesday, March 31, 2020. These recordings aren’t perfect. You may need to scroll through a bit. You might not want to watch me meditating, Much of this talk explored page 19-20 in One Breath at a Time “Learning Balance: The Middle Way”. I talk about the Buddha’s path to awakening as well as my own experience before and after recovery. Here is the Zoom of the video recording. And here is the audio version.

 

Offerings of “dana” can be made to me in two ways:

 

Venmo: @Kevin-Griffin-65 (if needed, the last four digits of my phone number are 8076)

 

Paypal: kevgriffin2@comcast.net

 

Use the link below to access the meeting. Email me with any questions.

 

Kevin Griffin is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.
Topic: Dharma and Recovery
Time: Mar 13, 2020 07:00 PM Pacific Time (US and Canada)
Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/8468382188
Meeting ID: 846 838 2188

 

Click on the URL or copy it into your browser. That should get you in the meeting.

 

Warm regards,

 

Kevin Griffin
P.S. If more than 100 people show up, I will have to upgrade my Zoom account. I will give people ways of offering Dana (donations) for the event if they so choose.