Florida Community of Mindfulness

Unfettering the Natural Mind: The Path of Clear Seeing 2013 (3 of 6)

Since the earliest days of Buddhism, countless teachers have pointed out the innate simplicity and spontaneous wisdom of our true mind. Unfettered by conditioning and emotional reactivity, this mind has the capacity to guide and support us spontaneously in living an awakened life.

During a 7-day silent retreat in June 2013 at Southern Dharma Retreat Center, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner used the meditative text, 'The Mirror of Clear Meaning' from the Great Perfection (Dzogchen) tradition, to guide participants into the world of the Buddha Mind and demonstrated how to integrate this awareness in all circumstances of daily life.

Unfettering the Natural Mind: The Path of Clear Seeing 2013 (2 of 6)

Since the earliest days of Buddhism, countless teachers have pointed out the innate simplicity and spontaneous wisdom of our true mind. Unfettered by conditioning and emotional reactivity, this mind has the capacity to guide and support us spontaneously in living an awakened life.

During a 7-day silent retreat in June 2013 at Southern Dharma Retreat Center, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner used the meditative text, 'The Mirror of Clear Meaning' from the Great Perfection (Dzogchen) tradition, to guide participants into the world of the Buddha Mind and demonstrated how to integrate this awareness in all circumstances of daily life.

Unfettering the Natural Mind: The Path of Clear Seeing 2013 (1 of 6)

Since the earliest days of Buddhism, countless teachers have pointed out the innate simplicity and spontaneous wisdom of our true mind. Unfettered by conditioning and emotional reactivity, this mind has the capacity to guide and support us spontaneously in living an awakened life.

During a 7-day silent retreat in June 2013 at Southern Dharma Retreat Center, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner used the meditative text, 'The Mirror of Clear Meaning' from the Great Perfection (Dzogchen) tradition, to guide participants into the world of the Buddha Mind and demonstrated how to integrate this awareness in all circumstances of daily life.

The True Meaning of Generosity

Fred discusses the paramita of generosity. To practice true generosity is to move beyond our comfort zone. Rather than giving items that we no longer need or time that is not otherwise committed, our practice should be to offer to others what is of high value to ourselves. We should experiment with generosity, saying yes to being of service in any way that benefits others, without attachment to our personal preferences. Fred also discusses the opposite of generosity - greed - and how this is a manifestation of the "self."

The Six Realms of Existence and the Power of Conditioning

Fred discusses the six realms of existence, six states of suffering that we cycle through throughout our lives. There is a path out of the realms, but many of us are bargainers who want to keep part of the realms. Our spiritual path provides the means for us to awaken from the dream and false promises of the six realms, to see through our conditioning and realize that who we are is so much more than a person endlessly driven by needs and drama. Fred reminds us that this is why we sit and practice mindfulness, so that we can see life clearly and connect with our authentic self, with others, and with our planet.

Composting Emotional Afflictions Into the Soil of Wellbeing (3 of 3)

Why is it that sincere people who practice a spiritual path continue to struggle year after year with long-standing negative emotional reactions? Although longing to be happy, to enjoy ease and well-being, why – in spite of our best efforts – do we continue to be driven by strong habit energies that lead to unhealthy choices, self-sabotaging behaviors, and emotional afflictions?

In this Talk Series from a three-day silent retreat with students in Tampa, Florida, Fred teaches that before healthy personal transformation can occur, we need to look deeply into the nature of the unconscious historical habit energies that drive our experiences in dysfunctional ways. True healing means becoming intimate with that illusive part of us that believes itself to be isolated and vulnerable, that fights against the way things are, and that runs away from pain by grasping for security and momentary pleasures, but in the end is never satisfied.

Composting Emotional Afflictions Into the Soil of Wellbeing (2 of 3)

Why is it that sincere people who practice a spiritual path continue to struggle year after year with long-standing negative emotional reactions? Although longing to be happy, to enjoy ease and well-being, why – in spite of our best efforts – do we continue to be driven by strong habit energies that lead to unhealthy choices, self-sabotaging behaviors, and emotional afflictions?

In this Talk Series from a three-day silent retreat with students in Tampa, Florida, Fred teaches that before healthy personal transformation can occur, we need to look deeply into the nature of the unconscious historical habit energies that drive our experiences in dysfunctional ways. True healing means becoming intimate with that illusive part of us that believes itself to be isolated and vulnerable, that fights against the way things are, and that runs away from pain by grasping for security and momentary pleasures, but in the end is never satisfied.

Composting Emotional Afflictions Into the Soil of Wellbeing (1 of 3)

Why is it that sincere people who practice a spiritual path continue to struggle year after year with long-standing negative emotional reactions? Although longing to be happy, to enjoy ease and well-being, why – in spite of our best efforts – do we continue to be driven by strong habit energies that lead to unhealthy choices, self-sabotaging behaviors, and emotional afflictions?

In this Talk Series from a three-day silent retreat with students in Tampa, Florida, Fred teaches that before healthy personal transformation can occur, we need to look deeply into the nature of the unconscious historical habit energies that drive our experiences in dysfunctional ways. True healing means becoming intimate with that illusive part of us that believes itself to be isolated and vulnerable, that fights against the way things are, and that runs away from pain by grasping for security and momentary pleasures, but in the end is never satisfied.

Grow Up, Get Real, Connect with Life

Fred continues the six-month Path of Awakening Series on letting go of self-centered living and living a path of selflessness. This week's topic explores the meaning of "Grow Up, Get Real, Connect with Life" in terms of spiritual development.

Building a Spiritual Community

Over 60 attendees gathered at the Tampa Practice Center on February 24th, 2013 to hear Fred speak about building a spiritual community and the true meaning of sangha. Inspired by this weekend's Order of Interbeing retreat at the Center, Fred discussed how involvement in a spiritual community facilitates and supports our transformation from a sense of separateness to an authentic connection with ourselves, our families, our larger communities and the world.