Last month, I wrote about the quality of viriya, sometimes translated as “heroic energy,” and how at times, just signing up for a retreat can seem to kick-start an inner process where qualities such as determination, dedication, commitment, effort, and trust begin to deepen – even before we actually arrive at the retreat itself. AlsoContinue reading “November 2014 full moon – Right Effort and the Middle Way”
Tag Archives: Right Effort
October 2014 full moon – viriya / heroic energy
Viriya: persistence; energy; vigour; courageous effort; heroic exertion I recently had the good fortune to sit a two-week retreat offered by Gil Fronsdal at the Insight Retreat Center near Santa Cruz, California. As Gil led us deeper and deeper into one of the core texts on mindfulness of breathing, the Anapanasati Sutta, I again foundContinue reading “October 2014 full moon – viriya / heroic energy”
April 2014 full moon
This is peaceful This is sublime Namely: the stilling of all formations The letting go of all attachments The destruction of craving Fading away / dispassion Cessation Nibbana
Rick Hanson interviews Joseph Goldstein on mindfulness
This is a recent interview by neuroscientist Rick Hanson with his teacher, Joseph Goldstein, who is one of the founding teachers of the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts. Joseph gives a very clear explanation of the full range of what mindfulness is, and also what it isn’t, based on his forty years experience ofContinue reading “Rick Hanson interviews Joseph Goldstein on mindfulness”
Effort and Enjoyment
Chicago lake shore Last week I gave a talk to the Lakeside Vipassana meditation group in Chicago. It was an incredibly cold evening outside (by my standards) but there was a good turn-out and a warm response to my exploration of Effort and Enjoyment in meditation practice. I’ve been meeting with meditation groups in aContinue reading “Effort and Enjoyment”
Jill Shepherd: insight meditation 