Buddhist Wisdom from a Beloved Teacher

Speaking during the runup to the 2020 election, Joanne points us to the tools to take care of our own consciousnesses during difficult times. She reminds us that we always have a choice: to contribute to the hell realms on earth, or to create heaven for ourselves and others. The talk includes the Plum Village song “The Realm of the Mind.” Dharma talk originally given on October 13, 2020, to the Mind Tamers Sangha, Rhode Island.

Joanne takes us through the process of transforming our anger, showing ourselves nothing but lovingkindness and understanding so that we can offer that to the world. The talk begins just after a guided meditation of sending metta — lovingkindness — to ourselves and others, to which she refers. Dharma talk originally given on June 8, 2010, to the Mind Tamers Sangha, Rhode Island.

Joanne gives an overview of the first six of the 14 Mindfulness Trainings, showing that they are guidelines for us, to help us choose our actions wisely as we go through our lives. She shows us how they can guide us to avoid causing more suffering in the world, and to transform our own. Dharma talk originally given on August 14, 2012, to the Mind Tamers Sangha, Rhode Island

Dharma talk originally given on July 13, 2020, to the Peaceful Waters Sangha, Rhode Island.

Joanne addresses the commercialization of “mindfulness” in the culture at large, warning us that simply to learn how to calm ourselves down isn’t going far enough. She explains that we must go one step further and embrace our suffering – rather than merely putting a lid on it –– and look deeply into its causes and conditions. Only by doing so can we transform our suffering, and become free. Dharma talk originally given in July, 2013.