The Deer Park Dharmacast

Dear friends,   Today we continue a series of talks by Brother Phap Hai on The Eight Verses of Mind Training. Our brother invites us to return to the earth of our practice with the second and third verses:   "Whenever I interact with anyone, may I consider myself as lower and from the depths of my heart may I consider the other person as a treasure."   "In everything I do, may I look deeply into my mind and as soon as I recognize a mistaken view that endangers myself or others, may I practice diligently to embrace and to transform it."   Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply. 

Dear friends,   Today we share a talk by Brother Phap Hai. He shares insights on our culture of consumerism and discusses how it applies to our practice. Over our time as a practitioner, we may have accumulated some layers of practice. Our brother encourages us to let go of these layers, these formalities and return to the essence of our practice.    Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.    (If you prefer the full 1-hr talk, it is available here.)  

Dear friends,   Today we continue Brother Phap Hai's talk from Deer Park Monastery. He introduces The Eight Verses of Mind Training to help us practice and transform. Over the course of the next few months, our brother will offer all the eight verses for us. Today, the first verse: "May I always cherish all sentient beings and consider that compared to a wish-fulfilling jewel, they are far superior for liberating my heart."   Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply. 

Welcome to the Deer Park Dharmacast.  Dharma flowing from the Ocean of Peace. Today we share a talk by Brother Phap Hai, shortly after his return to Deer Park from Europe. Our brother reminds us of the the meaning of the word: gratitude. To feel gratitude is to know what has been done for us. May we look back and look inside to remember.  Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.     (The full 1-hour talk is also available here.)    

Dear friends,   Welcome to the Deer Park Dharmacast.  Dharma flowing from the Ocean of Peace.   Today we continue to share a talk given by Sister Man Nghiem at the recent Wake Up retreat.  Our sister reflects on the idea of building our true home and asks us what we have chosen to build that home out of. Knowing to nourish ourselves with the Four Nutriments, we can build a solid home to withstand huffing and puffing from anyone and anything outside. To hear more about the Wake Up movement, go to wkup.org.    Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply. 

Dear friends,   Today we share another dharma talk from the recent Wake Up retreat for young people. Sister Man Nghiem reflects on how her definition of happiness has limited her actual happiness. She shares stories of her journey to realizing the Four Noble Truths, or as she calls them, The Fabulous Formula. For more on the Wake Up movement, go to wkup.org.    Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.    

Dear friends,   Today we share the second half of a talk given by Brother Phap Ho at the recent Wake Up retreat for young adults. Our brother speaks to the beginners and those with Beginner's Mind as he introduces concepts of the practice: mindfulness, concentration, insight, aimlessness, impermanence, and interbeing. To hear more about the Wake Up movement, go to wkup.org.    Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.  

Dear friends,   Today we share the first half of a talk given by Brother Phap Ho at this year's Wake Up retreat for young adults. Our brother shares about his early childhood heroes and how, for him, heroism is different from what's portrayed in popular media. We can be heros for the ordinary things we do in extraordinary ways. For more on the Wake Up movement and to find a local sangha, go to wkup.org.    Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply. 

Dear friends,   Today we share a part of a talk given by Brother Phap Lieu at Deer Park Monastery. He shares from him monastic experience about the sangha. As a lifelong partner to us, the sangha can support us in difficult times and encourage us to keep each day fresh and new.    Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.  

Dear friends,   Today we share part of a talk given by Brother Phap Lieu in early April. He delves deeply into the research on our habit energies: the cues, cravings and rewards. With greater understanding, we can see ourselves more clearly and deepen our practice.    Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.  

Dear friends,   Today, we finish a talk by Sister Truc Nghiem and translated by Sister Bach Nghiem. Our sister shares her experience with her aging body and specifically the poignant experience of seeing her own heart beating. Seeing our situations clearly is a tremendous gift and a continuous practice.    Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.  

Dear friends,   Today we continue a talk by Sister Truc Nghiem and translated by Sister Bach Nghiem. She focuses her sharing on our capacity to be a refuge or a safe harbor for others and for ourselves. When storms come into our lives, let's know to bring our boats to safety.    Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.  

Dear friends,   Today we share a talk given by Sister Truc Nghiem and translated by Sister Bach Nghiem. In the beginning, the monastics chant a poem written by Thay. Then our sister reflects upon our ability to stop and discover the inner Buddha within. She invites us to welcome all that has always been there.    Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.    

Dear friends,   Today we share songs of appreciation for our loved ones.  At a recent Day of Mindfulness, Brother Phap Ho shares a song by an late friend of Deer Park Monastery, Dennis Howard, and then, two monastics perform the Vietnamese song written for Thay's poem, A Rose For Your Pocket, a tribute to mothers. May these songs stir gratitude in your heart.     Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.  

Dear friends,   At a recent Day of Mindfulness, Brother Phap Ho shares how he spent his recent Lazy Days. These days are designated days of relaxation at the monastery when there is no schedule of practice for the monastics.  Our brother finds that with the freedom of Lazy Days come the opportunity to discover rich teachings.    Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.    

Dear friends, Today we offer a guided meditation, practice song and chanting with Brother Phap Ho. We hope you find the dharma in the words, the music, and the silence.    Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.  

Dear friends,   Today we offer an introduction from Brother Phap Don to the basic practices of mindfulness when on retreat. Let us return to our beginner's mind and take refuge in the presence of Deer Park Monastery. Whether you are near to the monastery or far, know that the Dharmacast, the monastery, and the Dharma, are always here for you.    Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.  

Dear friends,   Today we offer a sharing by Sister Man Nghiem and Sister Nho Nghiem at last year's teen retreat at Deer Park Monastery. In wonderfully clear language, they share their own refreshing experiences with the Beginning Anew practice taught by Thay. As teens or adults, we can all practice loving speech and deep listening for the benefit of everyone around us.    Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply. 

Dear friends,   Today we share a talk by Sister Tuong Nghiem and translated by Sister Tinh Nghiem.  As a young monastic, our sister remembers that it was not easy for her to practice mindfulness in midst of difficulties. She shares conversations she had with Thay when she felt overwhelmed and her own insights into how we can stop, breathe, and see our difficulties clearly. It is not always easy; and that is ok.    Also from the online sangha this week,we invite you to join an online, televised panel discussion about Sister D's new book, Mindfulness as Medicine.  I'll be talking with Jason Kim from Parallax Press and Nadia Coburn from Anchor Magazine.  You can write in questions for us live during the one-hour program, Tuesday at 9am Pacific. Or of course, watch it online later. To connect, go to bit.ly/sisterd.  We'll see you there!   Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.

Dear friends,   Today we share a talk by Brother Chinh Quang (aka Brother CQ) given at Deer Park Monastery. He reflects on his journey to become a monastic and the challenges he faced along the way. We all face difficulties on the path of practice.  In his sharing, our brother encourages us to be aware, with each step, that we have the opportunity to transform our volition and to change our direction.   Now, enjoy this moment to stop and look deeply.