Florida Community of Mindfulness

Stablizing the Restless Mind (2018) (3 of 4)

October 2018

 

In this third part of a 4 part series, Dharma Teacher Fred Eppsteiner explains the Buddhist teachings on stabilizing the restless mind and the practices of mindfulness and calm abiding. This talk was given during the Fall Retreat of the Florida Community of Mindfulness in October, 2018.

Stablizing the Restless Mind (2018) (2 of 4)

October 2018

 

In this second part of a 4 part series, Dharma Teacher Fred Eppsteiner explains the Buddhist teachings on stabilizing the restless mind and the practices of mindfulness and calm abiding. This talk was given during the Fall Retreat of the Florida Community of Mindfulness in October, 2018.

 

Stablizing the Restless Mind (2018) (1 of 4)

October 2018

 

In this 1st part of a 4 part series, Dharma Teacher Fred Eppsteiner explains the Buddhist teachings on stabilizing the restless mind and the practices of mindfulness and calm abiding. This talk was given during the Fall Retreat of the Florida Community of Mindfulness in October, 2018.

 

 

Transforming Seeds of Consciousness - Negative Formations (2018)

December 2018

In this talk Angie talks about how to work with negative formations by transforming seeds of consciousness.

Ancient Wisdom for Contemporary Issues - The Hua Ho Ching (2018)

October 7, 2018 

In this talk, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner shares how ancient Taoist teachings given by Lao Tzu, can help us make sense of the current world situation, and how we can, as both individuals and a community, work to transform it. Todays teaching emphasized the importance of reconnecting with the simplicity of being alive, and the innate wisdom that is present when we make that connection deeply. Fred explained that although we are living in a society where intelligence is valued, still, our world leaders continue to make unwise choices which cause much suffering for many. Although we have many intelligent people in this world, it appears we are lacking in people who have wisdom and can see the big picture. If we want to transform this world, it is essential that we develop the ability to see the big picture and cultivate wisdom within ourselves and others.

No Time Off - All Sensory Consumption Leaves Mind Impressions (2018)

September 9, 2018

In this talk, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner explains the importance of paying attention to what we are consuming with our bodies and our minds. He highlighted the importance of paying attention to the experiences we are having with our 5 senses, since it is with these senses that we enter and connect with the world. He explained that when one of our senses makes contact with the world, whether the experience in pleasurable, neutral, or un-pleasurable, it always leaves an impression in our mind.

Because of this, we need to pay extra attention to what we are consuming throughout the day, and especially with our digital media. Although each sensory experience may last a short time, the effects of what we consume with our senses are long-term and condition the very quality of our minds. Knowing this, we should take extra care to bring mindfulness and discernment to what we choose to consume with our senses in every moment.

Dwelling Happily in the Present Moment (2018)

August 4, 2017 

In this talk, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner comments on the 7th Mindfulness Training of the Order of Interbeing entitled "Dwelling Happily in the Present Moment."  Fred explains that although we get caught up in all sorts of thoughts about the past, and the future, the unfolding of our lives only ever happens in the present moment.  Because of this, it is essential that we cultivate mindfulness to learn to be present to life in reality.  Fred goes on to explain that bare mindfulness is not enough.  If we want to develop a healthy mind and facilitate the healing and transformation of our consciousness, then it is essential that we also learn to identify and place our mindfulness on the elements around us and within us that facilitate joy, peace, and wellbeing. 

Gampopa's Eleven Pieces of Important Advice Not to Be Rejected (2018)

July 22, 2018 

In this talk, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner comments on Gampopa's teaching entitled "Eleven Pieces of Important Advice Not to be Rejected."  Fred explains that this teaching is counterintuitive as it advises us to accept, rather than reject, many of the very things that we are looking to escape from when we undertake a spiritual path.  Gampopa invites us to be open to and to not reject our thoughts, disturbing emotions, unwanted situations, or even our enemies. Fred explains that our ability to openly embrace these experiences which we might normally push away comes about through understanding the nature of these experiences and cultivating an open spacious mind. 

Practice at a Wisdom Retreat - Shabkar's Flight of the Garuda (2018)

July 8, 2018

In this talk, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner encourages us to turn our attention away from what is going on "out there," and instead look inward to see what is going on within our own minds. He explains how retreat is beneficial for developing clarity, wisdom and refining our patterns of thought as it gives us the time to do the work of looking inward without so many external distractions. He shared sections from Lama Mipham’s “Wheel of Analysis and Meditation that Thoroughly Purifies Mental Activity," showing how investigation of what is arising in within our minds can help us free ourselves from attachment. He also commented on lines from "The Flight of the Garuda," by Shabkar that point out the intrinsic purity of all our minds. He explained that the teachings of awakening to this intrinsic purity are the core of the Buddhist path which go back to Shakyamuni Buddha’s great enlightenment.

Nourishing the Mind-Body with the Buddha's Four Nutriments (2018)

March-December 2018 

In this talk, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner explains the importance of becoming mindful of what we consume and how it affects our mind. Using the Buddha's teachings on the Four Nutriments, he explains how we are constantly feeding not just our body, but our minds as well. If we look deeply at what we are taking in through the senses, as well as what we are ruminating on, and even what intentions we hold for our day, we will see a clear correlation between what we consume and how we feel. The more we become attuned to the connection between consumption and mind-states, the more we can shift to consuming that which helps us have healthy bodies and healthy minds.