Wild Heart Meditation Center

Dave Smith speaks on the topic of "The Vicissitudes" -- the ups and downs & the push and pull of existence. Enjoy!

Sangha member, Mikey Noechel, discusses the third noble truth, the task of beholding the ceasing of reactivity in our lives.

Andrew details the practice of metta (kind-friendliness) as a means of easing reactivity in our lives.

Andrew continues a discussion on the 2nd Noble truth, discussing varying themes related to craving and clinging. He also discusses practices to help curb and relinquish controlling tendencies and reactive habits.

Continuing a series of talks on the core teachings of the Buddha, Andrew discusses the second noble truth - craving & clinging - and its various forms.

Dave Smith discusses the topic of 'investigation' and its role in dharma practice and the cultivation of mindfulness.

Andrew speaks on the five spiritual faculties (or "five supportive faculties"). He discusses the role of faith, effort, mindfulness, concentration, and wisdom in the Buddhist path to awakening.

As mindfulness helps us wake up to the vulnerable, insecure, and stressful parts of our lives, we are often wrought with feelings of doubt, overwhelm, or fear. The Buddha taught us that a compassionate response is often a courageous response to our deepest sorrows and doubts. In this talk, Andrew discusses the role of compassion in learning to "embrace dukkha"; he details ways of developing the inner resource of compassion.

The second part in a series of three talks on the Buddha's noble truth of "dukkha", Andrew discusses the tenets of the Buddha's teaching on the five aggregates, and how the habitual tendency to cling to the aggregates causes a stressful existence.

ATS Brooklyn facilitator Eloise Luke Mayton and ATS Nashville facilitator Andrew Chapman co-lead a dharma talk on the First Noble Truth: the truth of dukkha. They discuss some of the qualities of dukkha and ways of experiencing and understanding the vulnerable, insecure, and unsatisfying aspects of our human experience.

Andrew begins a series of talks on the core teachings of the Buddha (4 Noble Truths & Eightfold Path) talking about "Awakening". What is meant by awakening? Where does awakening take place? And, how is awakening cultivated through direct practice?

Although including the 'thinking mind' as a part of one's meditation practice can seem counter to some folks perception of meditation, it is of essential and vital importance in developing a wise understanding and compassionate relationship to one's distressing thinking patterns, general anxiety, and overall mental anguish.

Diana (DBT Therapist) & Andrew discuss some practical tools for wise communication.

Andrew discusses the first path factor of the Buddha's eightfold path: Wise/Appropriate View.

Andrew talks about some of the fundamentals of developing a meditation practice: 1. why we commit to practice; 2. how we approach meditation; and 3. what we do while we meditate.

Andrew discusses topics that were brought forth from members of the group: tenets of vipassana, working with neutral feeling tone, engaged buddhism, & when to share the Dharma.

Special guest, Lizzie Harrigan, & ATS facilitator, Andrew Chapman, offer some reflection after the recent election. They provide a Buddhist framework for looking at separateness and divisiveness, and the social suffering that manifests in our local, national, and global communities. Lizzie speaks specifically to practicing self-compassion and the need to understand emotional triggers and healthy ways to cope.

The Buddha spoke about "Balanced Effort" more than any other factor of the eightfold path. Simply put, effort is the part of our human experience that provides the capacity for all other things. It is the foundation of what helps us establish a purpose, cultivate and sustain and practice, and develop a steadfast and gentle patience within the gradual process of awakening.

Andrew speaks on the topic of "Papanca" - i.e. mental proliferation. He discusses how themes of craving/clinging, self-obsession, and fixed views and opinions lay the ground for much of the mental anguish in our lives.

Andrew discusses the role of cultivating "kindness" as a foundation for Buddhist practice. He discusses the role of undertaking training precepts, as well as offering some context and practical application of Metta practice.