Florida Community of Mindfulness

Zen Master Bankei and the Unborn Buddha Mind (2019)

January 20, 2019

In this talk, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner comments on the teachings of Zen master Bankei. He explains how each of us were born with what Bankei calls the unborn Buddha Mind, which is a pure, untainted mind. Then, over time, we become deluded through conditioning by those around us. However, because we have, as our nature, this Unborn Buddha Mind, each of us has the capacity to see through this delusion and transform our minds. It is because we don't realize the preciousness of this Buddha Mind that we continually indulge in self-centeredness and mistake our thinking mind for our true mind. This attachment to thoughts and self is what makes it difficult to transform our lives and our mind. However, Bankei gives us simple, direct instructions to help us break free of this delusion.

The Dharma of Scrooge (2018)

December 16, 2018

In this Dharma talk Fred Eppsteiner relates the story of the transformation of Ebenezer Scrooge from Dickens', "A Christmas Carol." Through this story, Fred explains how we can all transform the suffering we experience from living a life devoted to self into a happy, meaningful life filled with love and compassion for others.

The Meaning of Reciting the Names of Buddhas and Bodhisattvas (2018)

December 8, 2018 

In this talk, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner discusses the meaning behind reciting the names of and bowing to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas in the Touching the Earth Chant from the Plum Village tradition. He explained how each of the qualities of the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are qualities that we can cultivate within our own minds and lives, and that when we bow to them, we are also bowing to that aspect within ourselves.

The Three Doors of Liberation (2018)

November 18, 2018

In this talk, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner shares the teaching on The Three Doors of Liberation: Emptiness, Signlessness and Aimlessness. Fred explains that although everything we encounter in life appears solid and permanent, if we look deeply, we find that all phenomena are inherently empty of any solidity or permanence. He explains that nothing has any inherent selfness to it, and that everything is made up of parts. When we come to this understanding in our practice, it will liberate us from so much of the suffering that comes from attaching to people and things as solid separate selves. Once we realize the emptiness of phenomena, Fred explained that we can then begin to experience the world without all of our labels and signs. Rather, we simply experience life directly, as it truly is, unfolding in its signless nature. When we are able to touch life deeply in this way, we can then truly be at ease, being happy with things just as they are in aimlessness.

Stablizing the Restless Mind (2018) (4 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) (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.