Florida Community of Mindfulness

The True Meaning of Mindfulness (2014)

Tampa | October 26, 2014

In this talk to students of FCM, Fred talks about the true meaning of mindfulness and the need to make it our constant practice if we seek transformation. Our Dharma will only grow if we take the seeds out of the packet and plant them. Fred discusses the importance of three of the Seven Factors of Awakening: mindfulness, concentration, and joyful effort.

Vegetarianism and Doing No Harm - Ven. Geshela Phelgye (2014)

Tampa | September 15, 2014

The Venerable Geshela Phelgye explores the Buddhist precept of doing no harm to animals and discusses the checkered past of Buddhism in relationship to meat eating in this inspiring talk to students of the Florida Community of Mindfulness.

Buddhism and the March to War: Practicing Non-Violence (2014)

Tampa | September 14, 2014

In this talk to students of the Florida Community of Mindfulness, Fred Eppsteiner teaches that the Buddhist precept of non-violence is not simply a theoretical ideal to be recited. As the Buddha and so many other wise teachers from many traditions have taught throughout time, "Hatred will not cease by hatred, but by love alone." We must use the tools of mindfulness and investigation to look deeply into the very troubling and complex situations that we face today, examining the root causes and effects of conflict. Violent actions to produce short term results without consideration of the bigger picture can only produce the seeds of more future violence.

Seven Factors of Awakening - Joy (2014) (5 of 5)

Tampa | August - September 2014

The Buddha enunciated a spiritual path for awakening, one where we manifest goodness, wisdom, and compassion. Buddhism is a path of wellness, and as we nourish the positive qualities of mind, negative afflictions will naturally diminish.

Seven Factors of Awakening - Loving Kindness and Compassion (2014) (4 of 5)

Tampa | August - September 2014

The Buddha enunciated a spiritual path for awakening, one where we manifest goodness, wisdom, and compassion. Buddhism is a path of wellness, and as we nourish the positive qualities of mind, negative afflictions will naturally diminish.

As part of this series of talks on the Seven Factors of Awakening, Fred paused for two weeks to discuss how, when developing all factors, we want to simultaneously cultivate "true love" in the Buddhist sense, which includes loving kindness, compassion, joy in the joy of others, and equality of love for all beings. The more we lead an awakened life, the more our egocentricity diminishes and the more we notice the interconnection of all life. True love will naturally arise, and we will move beyond indifference to empathy, and beyond empathy to action.

Seven Factors of Awakening - Diligence (2014) (3 of 5)

Tampa | August - September 2014

The Buddha enunciated a spiritual path for awakening, one where we manifest goodness, wisdom, and compassion. Buddhism is a path of wellness, and as we nourish the positive qualities of mind, negative afflictions will naturally diminish.

In this Dharma talk to students of FCM, Fred Eppsteiner talks about the importance of diligence, or energy, in creating transformation.

Seven Factors of Awakening - Investigation (2014) (2 of 5)

Tampa | August - September 2014

The Buddha enunciated a spiritual path for awakening, one where we manifest goodness, wisdom, and compassion. Buddhism is a path of wellness, and as we nourish the positive qualities of mind, negative afflictions will naturally diminish.

In this Dharma talk to students of FCM, Fred talks about the importance of the path, and teaches about the factor of investigation.

Seven Factors of Awakening - Mindfulness (2014) (1 of 5)

Tampa | August - September 2014

The Buddha enunciated a spiritual path for awakening, one where we manifest goodness, wisdom, and compassion. Buddhism is a path of wellness, and as we nourish the positive qualities of mind, negative afflictions will naturally diminish.

In this Dharma talk to students of FCM, Fred talks about the importance of the path, and teaches about the fundamental factor of mindfulness.

Right Speech: Wisdom & Practices for Healthy Relationships

Tampa | August 3, 2014

In Thich Nhat Hanh's offering of the fourth Mindfulness Training, Loving Speech and Deep Listening, we acknowledge that much suffering is caused by unmindful speech and the inability to listen to others, and we commit to cultivating loving speech and compassionate listening in order to relieve suffering and to promote reconciliation and peace in ourselves and among other people. This commitment is so clear and wise; why do we often not practice it, particularly with those we are closest to? In this teaching to students of FCM, Fred talks about the importance of a clear, powerful conscious intention that is upfront and central in our daily lives. As well, we must understand and be ever vigilant for the negative habit energy, or what Eckhart Tolle calls the "pain body," that can arise and without mindfulness, bring much suffering into our speech and relationships.

Pith Zen Teachings

Tampa | July 20, 2014

Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner shares wisdom from three great pith teachings by Dogen and others: 1) You should stop pursuing words and letters and learn to withdraw and reflect on yourself. When you do so, your body and mind will fall away naturally and your original Buddha-nature will appear; 2) Sitting quietly doing nothing, spring comes, grass grows by itself; 3) To cry and not be carried away by tears, to laugh and not be carried away by laughter, is the Way.