Reflections from Gil

Audiodharma User Survey

Audiodharma User Survey

Audiodharma is in need of an upgrade and our volunteers have been working hard to do so.  They now have a new beta version of our website and would value all levels of users to evaluate the new site. This survey is an opportunity for a wide range of the community to do a self-paced evaluation of the progress on the new AudioDharma website. It is also a way of identifying people who might be experiencing difficulties or differences in accessing our…

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Buddhist Eco-Chaplaincy Training

Buddhist Eco-Chaplaincy Training

I am happy to report that the wonderful completion of the first yearlong Buddhist Eco-Chaplaincy training ended. Teaching this with Kirsten Rudestam and Susie Harrington, this program is the fulfillment of a longtime dream of mine. 23 people participated, each with a unique and inspiring orientation toward this relatively new field. Inspired by the success of the program and the important role eco-chaplains have for the huge environmental challenges of our times, Kirsten, Susie, and I are starting the second…

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Message in the Wake of George Floyd’s Killing

Message in the Wake of George Floyd’s Killing

The horrific killing of George Floyd is heartbreaking. For the loss and unimaginable sorrow of his family and community, I offer my condolences. To Black people in the United States who live every day with the real possibility of violence, police brutality, and an ongoing onslaught of racism, we at IMC regret we have not done more to counter the tide of rising racism. The heart-wrenching police brutality toward peaceful protestors reveals the very deep wound that racism is for our…

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Insight World Aid

Insight World Aid

Message from Gil In 2010, together with members of the IMC community, I helped start a non-profit called Insight World Aid (IWA) in order to provide medical and humanitarian aid to impoverished communities. I am still actively involved with IWA which during this time of a COVID-19 lockdown in Uganda  has donated $2,200 to the Uganda Buddhist Centre, led by Abbot Venerable Bhante Buddharakita, a regular teacher at the Insight Meditation Society in Massachusetts. This money allowed the center to…

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Q&A, Thursday morning, March 26, 2020

Q&A, Thursday morning, March 26, 2020

Q: I notice I feel anxious after I watch or read the news.  What can I do? A: It can be helpful to choose to be intentional about when and how to watch or read the news.  That is, choose a time when you can be reflective and discerning about the news. Don’t be a passive recipient of what you read.  Before learning the news, do something wise and supportive.  This might be meditating or spending time outside.  Then sit…

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The Buddha’s Way of Speaking

The Buddha’s Way of Speaking

In an extended discussion of the Buddha’s ethical behavior, the suttas contain the following description of how the Buddha speaks.  On Sunday, December 1 I read this as part of a talk addressing one of the most important visibly public issues of our times, i.e., how we speak to each other in our society. Buddha’s Way of Speaking Abandoning false speech, The Buddha refrains from false speech. A truth-speaker, He is reliable, trustworthy, non-deceptive. Abandoning malicious speech, The Buddha refrains…

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Welcome to the New Website

Welcome to the New Website

I am happy to celebrate the launching of IMC’s new website by expressing much gratitude to all the people who have contributed to our previous website and now to the new one.  Our previous website grew gradually in content and pages so that plenty of our material was tucked away, unnoticed.  We hope that with the new design much more of the website is easily accessible. You are encouraged to explore it. We have added this “Reflections from Gil” section…

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Buddha’s Teachings on Mindfulness

Buddha’s Teachings on Mindfulness

The Buddha’s Teachings on Mindfulness By Gil Fronsdal What should be done for his disciples out of compassion by a Teacher who seeks their welfare and has compassion for them, that I have done for you, Ānanda. There are these roots of trees, these empty huts. Meditate, Ānānda, do not delay, or else you will regret it later. This is my instruction to you.     (MN 152.18) The image that most universally represents Buddhism is that of the Buddha meditating.  Without…

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The Buddha as a Chaplain

The Buddha as a Chaplain

  Reading the Middle Length Discourses as a resource for chaplains by Gil Fronsdal “A being not subject to delusion has appeared in the world for the welfare and happiness of many, out of compassion for the world, for the good, welfare, and happiness of gods and humans.”                                                                …

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