Florida Community of Mindfulness

March 29th 2020, Tampa

 

In this talk, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner explains that during this time of changing instability, and increasing sense of uncertainty, a Dharma practice is needed more than ever. Fred shows us how we can stay calm on the boat during the storm. He asks us to examine what we are nourishing our mind with? We have to be careful with this overload of information. What is it really doing for our mind? We examine our life in this way for our own benefit and the benefit of others.

3-15-20

In this Dharma talk, Fred Eppsteiner expands upon the Lojong teachings within the point "Transforming Adversity Into the Path of Awakening" in light of the COVID-19 situation.

Fred also shares the Three Fierce Mantas, powerful words that can cut through our confusion and anxiety in this life. Our resistance to the unfolding of life, especially those situations unwanted or unexpected, is a primary cause of our emotional ups and downs. Our difficulty in accepting the experiences of life and the people in it for what they are and imposing our own needs and wants fuels an unending circus of negative emotions and conflictual mind states. Our desire to live peacefully in the present moment and practice mindful living becomes continually up-ended by our habitual dysfunctional responses.

The Three Fierce Mantras ~ Tsangpo Gyare, 12th century Tibetan Buddhist Ascetic

“Whatever has to happen, let it happen!"

“Whatever the situation is, it’s fine!"

“I don’t need anything whatsoever!”

March 8, 2020

 

In this talk, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner introduces the Yogacara tradition's understanding of the structure of our mind and how it functions. He explains how understanding how the mind works in this way can help us be clear on how we need to work with our minds in order to free ourselves of suffering and develop a happy mind.

 

 

March 1, 2020 

In this talk, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner comments on a Zen koan titled "Zuigan Calls His Own Master" from "The Gateless Gate" (Mumonkan) a collection of koans compiled in the 13th century by the Chinese Zen master Wumen Huikai. Fred elaborated on the teachings which inspire us to "be awake", "don't be deceived", and to realize the masks we wear in this life. By practicing these wonderful teachings we all have the capacity to wake up and become Buddhas in this lifetime.

8-31-19 | Tampa

Our resistance to the unfolding of life, especially those situations unwanted or unexpected, is a primary cause of our emotional ups and downs. Our difficulty in accepting the experiences of life and the people in it for what they are and imposing our own needs and wants fuels an unending circus of negative emotions and conflictual mind states. Our desire to live peacefully in the present moment and practice mindful living becomes continually up-ended by our habitual dysfunctional responses.

 

In this day long retreat, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner led retreatants in the study and practice of "The Three Fierce Mantras."

January 18, 2020

In this talk from a Daylong Retreat, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner explains how to truly live in the present moment. Fred shows us how we can develop two different, yet inextricably connected capacities of living in the present moment:  (1) cultivating stillness and stability of mind that is capable of being present in calmness to whatever is manifesting in the moment; and  (2) bringing forth the ability with mindfulness, courage, and compassion to ride the waves of emotionality or uncomfortable sensations, with greater presence, intelligence and ease.

 

January 12, 2020

In this talk, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner explains what it means to take refuge and asks the question, “where do we go for refuge?” Fred explains how we can go to refuge in the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha so that we can relax and know we are no longer lost in this life.

 

January 1, 2020

In the Buddhist tradition, the passing of an old year and the beginning of a new one is celebrated in a sacred manner.

During this talk, our teacher, Fred Eppsteiner, explains how we can acknowledge the passing of the year to facilitate a "letting go" of the past, to renew ourselves in the present, and to focus our intentions for the future.

 

November 10, 2019

In this Dharma talk to students of the Florida Community of Mindfulness, Dharma Teacher Fred Eppsteiner continues the series on the Lojong (Mind Trainings) teachings explaining how to train the mind to see clearly; seeing with the Wisdom of the Buddha utilizing slogan 51: "This time, practice the main points." 

 

Daylong Retreat | November 23, 2019 

In this Daylong Retreat, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner and Ken Lenington comment on a number of the slogans offered in “The Seven Points of Mind Training,” a venerated text well known for its' pithy sayings that help us apply the full breadth of the Buddha’s Mahayana teachings to daily life. These slogans, or mind trainings, focus on how the Unconditioned Awakened Mind can beneficially manifest in the life of ordinary beings in order to give rise to loving-kindness, compassion, and understanding in all the activities of our lives. The transformation of seemingly adverse situations into the path of awakening is a unique focus of these mind trainings. Fred helps us understand how the teachings and practices presented in this text can be applied in our lives and how we can use whatever is occurring in our lives to fuel our transformation.