Florida Community of Mindfulness

Unfettering the Natural Mind - The Path of Clear Seeing (2014 Retreat) (3 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) (2 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) (1 of 7)

Unfettering the Natural Mind: The Path of Clear Seeing

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.

Creating Peace in Ourselves and in the World

Tampa | May 25, 2014

Each Memorial Day, our nation honors those who have made sacrifices on behalf of their country. Perhaps the ultimate honor we can offer is to strive tirelessly to create peace in the world, beginning with creating peace in ourselves. As Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner explains to students of FCM in this inspirational Memorial Day 2014 talk, good intentions for peace will never be actualized if we do not begin at the most basic level, creating peace within ourselves and in all of our relationships.

The Path of Dharma: Seeing Clearly

In the winter of 2014, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner led students on an Intensive to cultivate clear seeing and correct view, exploring and meditating on the core teachings of Buddhism to support our transformation. The Intensive focused on the fundamental teachings and practices of the Buddhist path of awakening, including a survey of the following: The Four Mind Turnings, Five Hindrances, Five Remembrances,Four Noble Truths, Three Marks of Existence, Four Immeasurables, Seven Factors of Enlightenment, and the Bodhisattva Way. In this talk, Fred concludes the Intensive, summarizing the wisdom of these teachings.

The Three Marks of Existence: No Self

Tampa | May 4, 2014

If we take apart a flower, where do we find "flower"? Likewise, if we examine all of the parts of this human body, where do we find a "me"? In this talk to students of the Florida Community of Mindfulness, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner teaches the third mark of existence: no self.

Why Take Refuge: The Three Refuges and the Five Mindfulness Trainings

Traditionally, students wishing to formally enter the Buddhist path take refuge and receive transmission of the five Buddhist precepts. Taking refuge means to take refuge in the Three Jewels: the Buddha, the Dharma and the Sangha. By taking refuge we express our trust in our own capacity to awaken, in the path of practice and mindful living, and in the sangha community to provide a refuge of safety, guidance, and support. The five Buddhist precepts, updated by Thich Nhat Hanh as “The Five Mindfulness Trainings,” provide the basis for living in ways that create happiness and relieve suffering for ourselves and for others. In this talk Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner explains the essence of the Three Refuges and Five Mindfulness Trainings, and how they can contribute to deep transformation in our lives.

The Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings of the Order of Interbeing: Dwelling Happily in the Present Moment (7th)

When individuals become members of Thich Nhat Hanh's Order of Interbeing, they take the vows of the Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings in a formal ceremony.

According to Thich Nhat Hanh, the Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings are the very essence of the Order of Interbeing. They are the torch lighting our path, the boat carrying us, the teacher guiding us. They allow us to touch the nature of interbeing in everything that is, and to see that our happiness is not separate from the happiness of others. Interbeing is not a theory; it is a reality that can be directly experienced by each of us at any moment in our daily lives. The Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings help us cultivate concentration and insight which free us from fear and the illusion of a separate self.

In the talks in this Series, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner brings his wisdom and creativity to bear on sharing these teachings with students.

The Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings of the Order of Interbeing: Looking Deeply at the Nature of Suffering (4th)

When individuals become members of Thich Nhat Hanh's Order of Interbeing, they take the vows of the Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings in a formal ceremony.

According to Thich Nhat Hanh, the Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings are the very essence of the Order of Interbeing. They are the torch lighting our path, the boat carrying us, the teacher guiding us. They allow us to touch the nature of interbeing in everything that is, and to see that our happiness is not separate from the happiness of others. Interbeing is not a theory; it is a reality that can be directly experienced by each of us at any moment in our daily lives. The Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings help us cultivate concentration and insight which free us from fear and the illusion of a separate self.

In the talks in this Series, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner brings his wisdom and creativity to bear on sharing these teachings with students.

The Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings of the Order of Interbeing: Nonattachment to Views (2nd)

When individuals become members of Thich Nhat Hanh's Order of Interbeing, they take the vows of the Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings in a formal ceremony.

According to Thich Nhat Hanh, the Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings are the very essence of the Order of Interbeing. They are the torch lighting our path, the boat carrying us, the teacher guiding us. They allow us to touch the nature of interbeing in everything that is, and to see that our happiness is not separate from the happiness of others. Interbeing is not a theory; it is a reality that can be directly experienced by each of us at any moment in our daily lives. The Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings help us cultivate concentration and insight which free us from fear and the illusion of a separate self.

In the talks in this Series, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner brings his wisdom and creativity to bear on sharing these teachings with students.