Tag Archives: challenges

December 2021 Insight Timer Live Events: Eye Gazing; Mindfulness of Speaking; Distortions & Dreams;

*(Virtual) Eye Gazing*
Grab a partner or gaze into my virtual eyes while I gaze at the camera and we chat about the ins and outs, ups and downs, and knowns and unknowns of this beneficial yet sometimes intense interaction — Thursday December 9 – 3:33 pm Central

*Distortions and Dreams*
A 15 minute side glance at making New Years resolutions by exploring the barraging of barriers of distortions and the ups and downs of (some) dreams — Thursday December 16 – 6:00 pm Central

*Mindfulness of Speaking*
Is it true? Is it kind? Is it necessary? Is it helpful? Is it the right time? For 30 minutes we’ll explore these guidelines for wise and skillful speech and share stories, challenges, insights and do some practice — Monday December 20 – 6:00 pm Central

Towards Everyday Implementation Of The Universal Beautiful Mental Factors

Dhamma and meditation teacher Beth Upton — who’s other chats I’ve posted — recently held a three part event with Dharma Gates called “Truth, Suffering and Liberation”. I’ve edited out most everything except my responses to Beth’s questions and her responses to me so please watch the full video at the end of this post especially if requiring more context.

Beth read an excerpt of the Aggañña Sutta about the origin of human kind on planet earth then linked our suffering, caused by the defilements (dramatic depicted in the sutta) to the Buddha’s antidote: the The Universal Beautiful Mental Factors (sobhanasādhāraṇa). Beth then offered a short teaching followed by a guided meditation and discussion on her condensed and more practical version of these Mental Factors from the Abhidhamma which are:
• Faith
• Mindfulness
• Non-greed
• Non-hatred
• Morality
• Balance
• Tranquility
• Lightness
• Softness
• Flexibility
• Uprightness/Authenticity/Truthfulness
• Proficiency

This post includes my responses (in an edited video) to Beth’s group-guiding questions along with a few new written responses.

Mindful Practice Of Body, Qi And Mind – 1st Annual Review | (4/27/2021 — “Ask Us Anything – LIVE” With Denny K Miu)

For this month’s regular open-audience, open-discussion “Ask Us Anything” — continuing discussions about meditation and related topics — Denny and I review the 63 consecutive weeks of online practice Denny continues to lead. The original (amended) show notes are as follows: (From Josh): (Depending on temperament and experience level, some may find this chat tedious,Continue reading “Mindful Practice Of Body, Qi And Mind – 1st Annual Review | (4/27/2021 — “Ask Us Anything – LIVE” With Denny K Miu)”

Wisdom Snippets: Core Contemplations

What’s here now when there’s no problem to solve? Wouldn’t it make sense — and be universally beneficial — to reflect and contemplate (more) on what’s really, truly important in (your) life? If yes, here’s perhaps a few: What is important? What stops me right now from complete happiness? What does this depend on? WhatContinue reading “Wisdom Snippets: Core Contemplations”