Florida Community of Mindfulness

Reflections on the Pandemic & Teachings from Zurchungpa (2021)

4-11-21

In this talk, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner opens with a sharing about the Order of Interbeing and sharings from this year's new OI aspirants. Fred also shares his reflections on this past year of the pandemic and how we can be aware of any fear and attachment to views that we may have been cultivating and watering over the past year in isolation.

Fred then shares several teachings from Zurchungpa, who's teachings are the focus of one of the current intensives going on this spring.

"No need to say you are interested in the Dharma if you have not turned your mind away from samsara."

"No need to meditate on emptiness if you have not countered attachment to the things you perceive."

"No need to practice meditation if you do not turn your mind away from desire."

"No need for fine words if you have not assimilated the meaning yourself."

"No need to apply the instructions if you do not have devotion."

~Zurchungpa

 

These teachings are mirrors for us to look at ourselves and our practice. Can we see ourselves more objectively in the light of these teachings?

An Antidote to the Mental Pandemic: Touching the Present Moment (2021)

2-7-21

In this talk, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner shares with us the affects of people being alone during this past year and how we see other people as potential dangers. We have all developed these bubbles around us and many of us have become weary or even fearful after this year. But now is a good time to renew by touching deeply this present moment. 

Yogacara: A Concise Instruction for Practitioners (2021)

2-28-21

In this talk, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner introduces the Yogacara tradition's understanding of the structure of our mind and how it functions. He explains how understanding how the mind works in this way can help us be clear on how we need to work with our minds in order to free ourselves of suffering and develop a happy mind.

Uprooting Reactive Mindstates with the Five Powers (2021)

3-21-21

In this talk, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner introduces us to the teachings, reflections, and practices from this weeks Uprooting Reactive Mind States Retreat that help us turn away from the worldly orientation that breeds reactive mind states and instead, learn how to create conditions in our mind where our wholesome aspirations of body, speech and mind can germinate and flourish.

Fred also shares with us the teachings of the Five Faculties, (Aspiration, Energy, Mindfulness, Concentration, Insight) and how we can transform them into Five Strengths and Five Powers which can empower and strengthen our own path of practice.

Drugs, Sex and Rock n Roll and the Dharma Part 2 (2021)

1-24-21

In this talk, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner continues his talk from the previous week on "Drugs, Sex and Rock n Roll and the Dharma." Fred responds to emails, conversations, and questions about how to practice in regards to our cravings and desires in this world. As one person wrote to Fred, "It seems marijuana use is rampant amongst young people and I see that even in people even my age, especially with the legalization in some states. It is scary because without the ability to see things as they really are and to accept things as they are as uncomfortable and painful as somethings are, it is understandable that the allure of intoxicants can be quite strong. Buddhism is so valuable in teaching us to examine our mind continually and to understand the nature of our suffering. If we really understand our suffering we will not look to worldly things to assuage that suffering."

Drugs, Sex and Rock n Roll and the Dharma (2021)

1-17-21

In Buddhism, this human realm is considered the world of desire. The human mind endlessly desiring. But to be caught in the cycle of desiring is not freedom. It is the path of suffering. Because desire leads to craving, to wanting, to needing, to attaching, to grasping, and that is where suffering arises.

In this talk, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner gives simple steps to get out of this endless cycle. Step one, understand what craving is wishing you. Step two, be mindful of it and name it when it arises. Step three, what is the mind state that is causing you to crave? Realize there is a quality of mind that is underneath this movement towards needing something. And we can ask ourselves “How do I take care of that afflictive emotion?”

Transforming Ourselves and the World Through Communities of Resistance (2021)

1-10-21

In this talk, Dharma Teacher Fred Eppsteiner shares with us early teachings of Thich Nhat Hanh. Before he does, Fred reviews the last few talks from the Dharma of Scrooge, and Beginning Anew. He encourages us to continue to begin anew, again and again. And shows us that this is how we heal and transform, right here and now by simply returning to our aspiration and intention and begin anew.

Thich Nhat Hanh tells us "If you want a peaceful world, become a peaceful person." Fred continues to ask us “how can we take personal responsibility to become that which we want the world to be?" How can our sangha manifest as a community of resistance in order to heal and transform the individual and society?”

Nourishment for the New Year (2020)

12-17-20

In this talk, Dharma teacher Fred Eppsteiner explains the importance of becoming mindful of what we consume and how it affects our mind. Using the Buddha's teachings on the Four Nutriments, he explains how we are constantly feeding not just our body, but our minds as well. If we look deeply at what we are taking in through the senses, as well as what we are ruminating on, and even what intentions we hold for our day, we will see a clear correlation between what we consume and how we feel. The more we become attuned to the connection between consumption and mind-states, the more we can shift to consuming that which helps us have healthy bodies and healthy minds.

The Dharma of Scrooge (2020)

12-20-20

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.

Without Siddhartha’s Enlightenment, Buddhism Wouldn’t Exist (2020)

12-13-20

 

In this talk, Dharma Teacher Fred Eppsteiner shares with us the story of the Buddha’s Enlightenment and why it is at the center of Buddhism. And how there is no real true Buddhism without this awareness of Enlightenment. Because the whole stream of Buddhist teachings going back to the Buddha and continuing through all the great teachers and masters for 2,600 years all comes from Siddharatha’s Enlightenment.