Infinite Smile

In his introduction, Michael lays out a foundation for how we can live from the Ultimate realm rather than just the conventional, or normal, reality that we typically deal with each day . The talk then goes into how all things are temporary, interdependent, and infused with the Infinite. With this in mind, what is it that is spiritual for us? What is NOT spiritual? Is someone less spiritual based on our personal sense, our personal attachments, of what "spiritual" looks like. Questions from the audience deal with how even inanimate objects are pointers to Awakening; and what to do when all we want to do is sit down and be quiet.

In the beginning of this talk, Michael discusses how we can question our most significant attachments. What, for instance, do we do with war? Is it ever justified? Can we ever come up with answers to why "bad things happen to good people?" Or are we just supposed to become intimate with the situations that hurt? From these questions, Michael describes a significant meeting with one of his teachers some years ago, and then goes on to talk about what we might look for in spiritual teachers. Questions from the audience deal with being our own teachers; how to generate motivation for sitting; how to interpret The Secret in terms of this teaching.

In this talk, Michael discusses how we can notice great performers, when they are in full expression, can reflect our own sense of Spirit. In a recent performance, Kurt Elling pointed this out to Michael and his wife, reminding them both that great art allows us to let go of our resistances. From here the talk suggests that the small self, or ego, gets us started along the spiritual path, only to be followed by resistance. At the point of resistance, we either shrink back or we release into whatever presents itself at each moment of life. Questions involve life, death & celebration; letting go versus surrender; mama bear can still be compassionate; and what the Buddha might do in Darfur.

In this talk, Michael discusses our conscious participation in life with an awakened mind. He discusses the ways in which meditation helps us in this endeavor. At the same time, ego can think that it is Awake. This is an amazing trap, but there are tell-tale signs that this is going on in people. Questions involve employing the Witness in our experience instead of being run by the ego, what we should do when we fail miserably along the Path; and the difficulty in living a life that is partially awake.

This is the second of three talks Michael gave on our October weekend intensive. In this talk, Michael gives us some pointers in relation to the five major hindrances to Awakening. Becoming intimate with these hindrances allows us to live intimately in this life, and this too is the very process of Awakening.

This is the first of three talks Michael gave on our October weekend intensive. His theme for the weekend centered around living "right there with everything" as everything shows up. This is how we live intimately in this life, and this is the process of Awakening.

In this talk, Michael articulates a path towards an ever-deepening gratitude for this life, no matter what the circumstances. This is a "thanks giving" at each moment in life.

In this talk, Michael points out that we don't need to look for anything outside of our experience in order to Awaken to the Truth that the Buddha, Christ and all of the other spiritual heavyweights have embodied.

In his talk, Michael addresses our recognition of all the mess that we need to face as we deepen our practice.

This talk took place in the beginning of October of 2006, days after the school shooting in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. In his talk. Michael addresses how the funerals of the Amish community perhaps showed us another way for today's religion. On PBS's News Hour, Ann Taylor Fleming gives a beautiful commentary on this very topic. Getting close to the tragedy offers us a freedom from it.

Tonight's discussion centers around the sense that we are always lacking something that will make us complete. In this psychological space ego is totally at home, especially since fear can arise so easily when we feel like we are lacking. Michael relates this idea to how Carl Jung says that the most frightening thing any of us goes through is to "accept ourselves completely." Questions relate to everyday fears; Awakened mind; surrender as opposed to giving in; and the contagiousness of unconsciousness.

This is the second installment of Michael's discussion of Chapter 10 of After the Ecstacy the Laundry, by Jack Kornfield. This conversation centers around how the Path is paved with a series of mistakes. Dogen's approach to practice is discussed since it embraces our work with continuous mistakes.

This is the first installment of Michael's discussion of Chapter 10 of After the Ecstacy the Laundry, by Jack Kornfield.

In tonight's talk, Michael discusses practicing in the face of threat. Uncovering stillness even in the face of it all means that we enter into and see out of Dharma eyes. He links his discussion to how Ludwig von Wittgenstein and Karl Popper debated about whether or not there are "problems" or just "situations." Also he discusses Trungpa Rinpoche's deliniation between idiot compassion and true compassion, as well as how we can employ discriminating awareness in our experience instead of judgement. Questions and comments deal with the Dalai Lama's approach to stress.

In tonight's brief talk, Michael, once again discusses the Sufi teaching of "dying before we die." How, for instance do we deal with living in the "real world" and dying into the Ultimate Reality? As we begin to surf between these two worlds, our stake in all things permanent begins to shift radically. Michael discusses meeting in dokusan with his teacher where this very issue moved his practice substantially. It's here that we become a manifestation of divine grace and ease.

In tonight's talk, Michael discusses concepts brought up in chapter eight of Jack Kornfield's book, After the Ecstacy the Laundry. The discussion centers around having our initial exposure to spiritual work, gives way to returning to our lives, letting go of our lives, and then letting go of the letting go. At the point of any Great Awakening we recognize that our work is never done. The practice, then, never ends. Michael then has his students meet to discuss the reading and the talk from an impersonal place. Questions and comments deal with how Krishnamurthi's teaching methods might correspond with what is being done with Infinite Smile; how satori supports compassion.

In tonight's talk, Michael discusses how the maps of enlightenment are never the territory of Awakening. Then he shows us how the Dzogchen approach of ground, path, and fruition of the Dharma lead us directly to the ultimate teaching of consciously letting go. He also looks at how recognition, resistance, and release correspond to these most sacred teachings pointing toward our interior landscape. Questions and comments deal with how studying our attachments dissolves them; getting frustrated with people; appropriate responses when things get hot; as well as exploring who is the "I."

In tonight's talk, Michael discusses the issues that can be associated with the enlightenment experience known in Zen as satori. Questions and comments deal with Shunryu Suzuki's assertion that he never had this experience, as well as attaching to the hope of some future satori as a way of blocking its expression in the now.

In tonight's talk, Michael discusses the internal tendencies that keep us from opening to Awakening. Questions and comments deal with an observing mind acting as an enlightened mind; recognizing ego when it's trying to act as if it is enlightened.

In tonight's talk, Michael discusses Chapter 5 of Jack Kornfield's book, After the Ecstacy the Laundry. In between distractions from Michael's dog Sumi, and a strained sound system, the discussion deals with three open relationships we need to cultivate with our experience in order to Awaken. Those relationships involve thoughts, feelings, and time. Questions and comments deal with the seeming impossibility of finding time to be still; wrapping our minds around practice; and why bother reading or meditating when it simply makes us "good buddhists."