Florida Community of Mindfulness

Looking Deeply: The Buddhist Meditative Practices of Direct Investigation (1 of 4)

The cultivation of mindfulness and tranquil abiding allows us to perceive reality more clearly and to live a more peaceful and happy life. The waters of our life become calmer and less murky. Yet, without insight into the nature of reality or true understanding of the nature of ourselves and our mind, we can never experience the depth and profundity of life discovered by the Buddha and all the masters since. Thich Nhat Hanh has continually taught that his students must practice mindfulness (smirti), stopping (samatha) and deep looking (vipashyana) to truly experience the fruits of Dharma practice.

During this retreat, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner offered Buddhist teachings and meditation practices related to vipashyana (vipassana), or the cultivation of insight that produces true wisdom. This refers to our capacity to see into the true nature of reality, i.e. directly understanding the true nature of all mental and physical phenomena. The second training of the Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings of the Order of Interbeing instructs us that, truth is found in life, and we will observe life within and around us in every moment. The insight practices of deep looking and investigation that Fred shared during this retreat showed us how to do this.

 

Swampland Flowers: Teachings of Zen Master Ta Hui (2 of 2)

Swampland Flowers is a selection of teachings by Chinese Zen Master Ta Hui (1089-1163). Culled from letters and lectures, the book offers Ta Hui's clear, practical advice, particularly to lay people. Ta Hui emphasized that liberation is available to everyone in any walk of life, and that any occupation can be a form of Zen practice. Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner shares a number of these wonderful teachings in this series, which also includes questions and answers with students about practice, in general, at the beginning of each audio.

 

 

Swampland Flowers: Teachings of Zen Master Ta Hui (1 of 2)

Swampland Flowers is a selection of teachings by Chinese Zen Master Ta Hui (1089-1163). Culled from letters and lectures, the book offers Ta Hui's clear, practical advice, particularly to lay people. Ta Hui emphasized that liberation is available to everyone in any walk of life, and that any occupation can be a form of Zen practice. Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner shares a number of these wonderful teachings in this series, which also includes questions and answers with students about practice, in general, at the beginning of each audio.

 

 

Being an Island Unto Oneself: The Path of Unshakeable Refuge Day 3

Thich Nhat Hanh has written, “When he was eighty, the Buddha knew that he was going to pass away in a few months, and he knew that his disciples were going to miss him. During the last six months, around the city of Vaisali, he used to talk to the monks and the nuns about taking refuge within yourself. The expression is atadipa. Ata means self, dipa means island. When you go back to that island, you experience peace and stability. The Buddha is there, the Dharma is there, and the Sangha is there.”

During this three-day silent residential retreat in Tampa, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner focused on the Buddhist teachings and meditation practices related to establishing within oneself an island of conscious awareness, awakened intelligence, emotional maturity, and all-embracing compassion and kindness.

 

Being an Island Unto Oneself: The Path of Unshakeable Refuge Day 2

Thich Nhat Hanh has written, “When he was eighty, the Buddha knew that he was going to pass away in a few months, and he knew that his disciples were going to miss him. During the last six months, around the city of Vaisali, he used to talk to the monks and the nuns about taking refuge within yourself. The expression is atadipa. Ata means self, dipa means island. When you go back to that island, you experience peace and stability. The Buddha is there, the Dharma is there, and the Sangha is there.”

During this three-day silent residential retreat in Tampa, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner focused on the Buddhist teachings and meditation practices related to establishing within oneself an island of conscious awareness, awakened intelligence, emotional maturity, and all-embracing compassion and kindness.

 

Being an Island Unto Oneself: The Path of Unshakeable Refuge Day 1

Thich Nhat Hanh has written, “When he was eighty, the Buddha knew that he was going to pass away in a few months, and he knew that his disciples were going to miss him. During the last six months, around the city of Vaisali, he used to talk to the monks and the nuns about taking refuge within yourself. The expression is atadipa. Ata means self, dipa means island. When you go back to that island, you experience peace and stability. The Buddha is there, the Dharma is there, and the Sangha is there.”

During this three-day silent residential retreat in Tampa, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner focused on the Buddhist teachings and meditation practices related to establishing within oneself an island of conscious awareness, awakened intelligence, emotional maturity, and all-embracing compassion and kindness.

The Anapanasati Sutra: Practicing Full Awareness of the Breath - Part 2 2010 - Day 4 Talk

During the period October 2009 through March 2010, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner led a group of students in the study and practices of the Anapanasati Sutra, also known as the "Full Awareness of the Breath Sutra." Over the course of two four-day retreats, Fred provided commentary on the Sutra, as well as meditation instructions that focused on the Buddha's teachings for cultivating a clear, serene and insightful mind. In the second retreat, Fred also focused on teachings related to the Seven Factors of Enlightenment to help clarify the requisites needed for living an awakened life.

 

 

The Anapanasati Sutra: Practicing Full Awareness of the Breath - Part 2 2010 - Day 3 Talk

During the period October 2009 through March 2010, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner led a group of students in the study and practices of the Anapanasati Sutra, also known as the "Full Awareness of the Breath Sutra." Over the course of two four-day retreats, Fred provided commentary on the Sutra, as well as meditation instructions that focused on the Buddha's teachings for cultivating a clear, serene and insightful mind. In the second retreat, Fred also focused on teachings related to the Seven Factors of Enlightenment to help clarify the requisites needed for living an awakened life.

 

 

The Anapanasati Sutra: Practicing Full Awareness of the Breath - Part 2 2010 - Day 2 Talk

During the period October 2009 through March 2010, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner led a group of students in the study and practices of the Anapanasati Sutra, also known as the "Full Awareness of the Breath Sutra." Over the course of two four-day retreats, Fred provided commentary on the Sutra, as well as meditation instructions that focused on the Buddha's teachings for cultivating a clear, serene and insightful mind. In the second retreat, Fred also focused on teachings related to the Seven Factors of Enlightenment to help clarify the requisites needed for living an awakened life.

 

 

The Anapanasati Sutra: Practicing Full Awareness of the Breath - Part 2 2010 - Day 1 Talk

During the period October 2009 through March 2010, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner led a group of students in the study and practices of the Anapanasati Sutra, also known as the "Full Awareness of the Breath Sutra." Over the course of two four-day retreats, Fred provided commentary on the Sutra, as well as meditation instructions that focused on the Buddha's teachings for cultivating a clear, serene and insightful mind. In the second retreat, Fred also focused on teachings related to the Seven Factors of Enlightenment to help clarify the requisites needed for living an awakened life.