Florida Community of Mindfulness

Q&A with Fred (Jan 11, 2026)

Fred conducted a very lively Q&A session with an audience of over 150 during Sunday Sangha in Tampa on January 11. He introduced the session by reminding us of the start of a new year, with the opportunity to revisit our aspirations and intentions, then invited foundational spiritual queries. Members posed a wide variety of questions, and Fred responded with wisdom (and some humor!), as you’ll hear from the recording of the talk. Questions asked included:

- How would you know when you’re awakened?
- How do YOU meditate, Fred?
- How does one develop the skill of commitment?
- What are your thoughts on the illusion of separateness?
- Can Buddhism be practiced effectively as a secular non-spiritual path? And what's the difference between a secular and a spiritual path?
- When we go pick up a book or a podcast or a dharma talk (from this modern spiritual supermarket), what are the ingredients we should be looking out for? What are those red flags?

Q&A With Fred (7-14-25)

In this lively Q&A session with students at the Florida Community of Mindfulness, Fred addresses questions relating to common challenges in meditation, understanding attachment, working skillfully with thoughts, how to relate to identity in one's profession, dealing with trauma and its lingering effects, and the difference between reflection and meditation.

Dharma Q&A with Fred (June 15th, 2025)

Fred offered a rich array of Dharma teachings through his answers to students’ questions at Sunday Sangha, including:  What does taking refuge really mean? What does “form is emptiness, emptiness is form” mean? What is the number one way one can honor or be true to oneself in terms of the Buddha? How does one “let go,” whether in relationships or other situations? Can you touch on the political shootings in the Twin Cities? What role does “proactivity” play in our practice?

Q&A with Fred: July 16, 2023

During this Sunday at the Florida Community of Mindfulness, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner answers questions from students.

Q&A with Fred: July 31, 2022

During this Sunday at the Florida Community of Mindfulness, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner answers questions from students.

Responding to sangha questions on the nature and function of self

In this Dharma talk, Fred contrasts the self-limiting qualities of the "fragile Western ego" concerned only about self with the Buddhist teachings and practices of No Self.   

 

Emphasizing the importance of self-awareness and learning to be "other-centered," the talk suggests ways of retraining the mind to develop an intelligent, loving, compassionate self.

 

Q&A with Fred: July 17, 2022

During this Sunday at the Florida Community of Mindfulness, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner answers questions from students.

Q&A with Fred: April 18th, 2021

4-18-21

During this Sunday at the Florida Community of Mindfulness, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner answers questions from students.

Fred also shares some teachings on 'self' and readings from the Deconstructing the Myth of Self Intensive including Chandrakirti and Eckard Tolle.

Q&A With Fred: Sept 20th, 2020

9-20-20

During this Sunday at the Florida Community of Mindfulness, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner answers questions from students.

Note: The beginning question was not recorded.

Q&A With Fred: Sept 6th, 2020

9-6-20

During this Sunday at the Florida Community of Mindfulness, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner answers questions from students.