Florida Community of Mindfulness

Host and Guest (July 27, 2025)

In this teaching to students at the Florida Community of Mindfulness, Fred presents a profound Buddhist teaching, focusing on two central ideas: the metaphor of the "host and guest" and the concept of "gladdening the mind." The teaching of host and guest, drawn from Chan Buddhism and illuminated by the insights of the Chinese master Shu Yun (Empty Cloud), explains that our true self is like a host—stable, present, and unchanging—while our thoughts, emotions, and experiences are like guests—transient, illusory, and constantly coming and going. The host remains unaffected by the guests, embodying the true nature of awareness or consciousness, while the guests represent illusory thoughts and feelings that arise and pass away. Recognizing this distinction is foundational for spiritual practice and mental well-being because it helps reduce suffering caused by over-identification with fleeting mental phenomena.

The Four Nutriments - Nourishing the Mind (6-1-25)

In this second of two talks on the Buddha's teachings on the Four Nutriments, Angie gives an introduction to the nutriments for the mind: Sensory impressions, volition and consciousness. Our aspiration for the type of mind we wish to cultivate is paramount in making choices for a diet that will support our true happiness and wellbeing.

The Four Nutriments - Edible Food (5-25-25)

In this first of two talks introducing the Buddha's teachings on the Four Nutriments, Angie introduces the first nutriment, edible foods. She reflects on her personal journey toward a healthier relationship with her body and food, emphasizing how unconscious eating habits often stem from emotional needs or past trauma. Through mindfulness practices, she shares how shifting perspectives can lead to healthier choices that nourish both body and mind. 

Highlights
• Mindful Consumption: It is important to be conscious of WHAT and WHY we consume—not just food, but also thoughts, emotions, and media—since they all impact our well-being.
• Emotional Eating: Many people use food to numb emotional pain or fill a void left by loneliness, stress, or past trauma.
• Body Relationship Shift: It can be very helpful to reflect deeply on how we view our body if we are to make a shift to seeing it as a sacred vessel deserving of love and care.
• Guided Reflection: A meditation invites participants to reflect on their relationship with their bodies—whether seen as an object of pleasure, tied to ego, neglected, or honored as a vehicle for purpose.
• Community Sharing: Attendees shared insights about viewing the body-mind connection as inseparable, embracing balance over restriction, and navigating wellness in a world full of conflicting health advice.
• Mindful Eating Practices: Mindful eating practices were shared, such as those offered by Roshi Jan Chozen Bays in her book "Mindful Eating" (e.g. “What kind of hunger am I feeding?” (e.g., eye hunger, stomach hunger, heart hunger), gratitude eating practices, and more).

Vesak Ceremony 2025

Fred's Talk on 5-11-2025

Change Begins With Us - Inspiration from the Life of Thich Nhat Hanh (April 27th, 2025)

Fred introduces the 2022 biological documentary of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, "A Cloud Never Dies," then leads the sangha in discussing this beautiful and profound video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRObW9noiVk). Fred reminded us of Thich Nhat Hanh's (Thay's) teaching that we have the opportunity of making this the century of spirituality but there has to be a great awakening, and the great awakening is within each of us. While we may wish to see change in the world, Thay always taught that change begins within us, and it is our responsibility to individually wake up, to put these wonderful teachings into practice, and to manifest them in our own relationships and lives.

Watching the Mind Dharma Talk with Fred Eppsteiner from DOM on April 12, 2025

The Meaning of Interbeing (April 6, 2025)

Fred: Development of American Buddhism and What Exactly is Our Lineage?

At a mahasangha gathering celebrating FCM's 30 years of community and Fred's 80th continuation, Fred inspires the community by sharing how - through the instruction of his teacher Thich Nhat Hanh - he has created community and an approach to Buddhism that is relevant in our western culture.

Character Building and Buddhist Practice (March 9, 2025)

In this Dharma talk to students at the Florida Community of Mindfulness, Fred discussed how the Buddha placed great importance on character, which can be seen in Buddhism's emphasis on matters of virtue. Character has to do with the accumulation of karmic disposition. It constitutes the sum total of what we are as human beings - our personhood. In this talk, Fred discusses those qualities of character that we, as followers of a spiritual path, should aspire to develop if we are to truly awaken.