Florida Community of Mindfulness

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.

Let Go or Be Dragged

Tampa | July 6, 2014

This Independence/Freedom Day, Fred spoke about the meaning of true personal freedom and the implications for society, from a Buddhist perspective. He answered questions from students, many of which focused on the theme of "letting go," with Fred sharing the famous Buddhist saying, "Let Go or Be Dragged."

Answer from the Bird's Nest Monk

Tampa | June 22, 2013

There is a story about a Chinese Zen master who was called Bird’s Nest Monk because he often meditated in a tree. One day an eminent man, who was both a governor and well-known poet, paid him a visit, arriving while he was up in his tree. When the governor found him, he asked, "What is the teaching of Buddhism?", and Bird’s Nest Monk recited a verse from the Dhammapada, "Not to commit wrong actions, But to do all good ones, And keep the heart pure, This is the teaching of all Buddhas." When the governor heard this, he was not impressed and said, "Any child of three years knows that." Bird’s Nest Monk said, "Any three-year-old child may know it, but even an eighty-year-old man cannot do it."

In this Dharma talk, Fred explains the meaning of this simple but profound teaching, and how we bring this practice into all aspects of our lives.

Unfettering the Natural Mind - The Path of Clear Seeing (2014 Retreat) (7 of 7)

Seven-day Retreat | June 2014

Since the time of the Buddha, 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 this seven-day retreat in the beautiful mountain setting of Southern Dharma Retreat Center in NC, Fred used meditative texts, poems, and songs from the Zen, Chan, and Great Perfections traditions, to guide participants into the world of the Buddha Mind and show how to integrate this understanding in all circumstances of daily life. Unencumbered by any philosophical or religious overlay, the natural wisdom and compassion of these lineages of enlightened living was presented to demonstrate their relevance to our modern life.

This silent retreat included formal periods of sitting and walking meditation, guided meditations, daily Dharma talks, private interviews with Fred, deep listening periods, opportunities for solitary practice, and time to enjoy the natural beauty and peacefulness of Southern Dharma. The seven formal Dharma talks from the retreat are available below.

Unfettering the Natural Mind - The Path of Clear Seeing (2014 Retreat) (6 of 7)

Seven-day Retreat | June 2014

Since the time of the Buddha, 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 this seven-day retreat in the beautiful mountain setting of Southern Dharma Retreat Center in NC, Fred used meditative texts, poems, and songs from the Zen, Chan, and Great Perfections traditions, to guide participants into the world of the Buddha Mind and show how to integrate this understanding in all circumstances of daily life. Unencumbered by any philosophical or religious overlay, the natural wisdom and compassion of these lineages of enlightened living was presented to demonstrate their relevance to our modern life.

This silent retreat included formal periods of sitting and walking meditation, guided meditations, daily Dharma talks, private interviews with Fred, deep listening periods, opportunities for solitary practice, and time to enjoy the natural beauty and peacefulness of Southern Dharma. The seven formal Dharma talks from the retreat are available below.

Unfettering the Natural Mind - The Path of Clear Seeing (2014 Retreat) (5 of 7)

Seven-day Retreat | June 2014

Since the time of the Buddha, 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 this seven-day retreat in the beautiful mountain setting of Southern Dharma Retreat Center in NC, Fred used meditative texts, poems, and songs from the Zen, Chan, and Great Perfections traditions, to guide participants into the world of the Buddha Mind and show how to integrate this understanding in all circumstances of daily life. Unencumbered by any philosophical or religious overlay, the natural wisdom and compassion of these lineages of enlightened living was presented to demonstrate their relevance to our modern life.

This silent retreat included formal periods of sitting and walking meditation, guided meditations, daily Dharma talks, private interviews with Fred, deep listening periods, opportunities for solitary practice, and time to enjoy the natural beauty and peacefulness of Southern Dharma. The seven formal Dharma talks from the retreat are available below.

Unfettering the Natural Mind - The Path of Clear Seeing (2014 Retreat) (4 of 7)

Seven-day Retreat | June 2014

Since the time of the Buddha, 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 this seven-day retreat in the beautiful mountain setting of Southern Dharma Retreat Center in NC, Fred used meditative texts, poems, and songs from the Zen, Chan, and Great Perfections traditions, to guide participants into the world of the Buddha Mind and show how to integrate this understanding in all circumstances of daily life. Unencumbered by any philosophical or religious overlay, the natural wisdom and compassion of these lineages of enlightened living was presented to demonstrate their relevance to our modern life.

This silent retreat included formal periods of sitting and walking meditation, guided meditations, daily Dharma talks, private interviews with Fred, deep listening periods, opportunities for solitary practice, and time to enjoy the natural beauty and peacefulness of Southern Dharma. The seven formal Dharma talks from the retreat are available below.