Sunday Dharma Talk

Our happiness in this life depends on the way that we think and the actions that follow.  As dharma students, our task is to abandon unskillful thinking and to cultivate skillful thinking.  In this talk, Peter explains the skill for cultivating skillful thinking, thinking that leads us to true happiness.  The dharma talk is the second in a series of talks on "Skillful Thinking" offered in January...

This dharma talk is the first in a series of talks on the theme of "Skillful Thinking" given by Peter Doobinin in January 2026.  As Peter explains, the Buddha's path is a path of developing skills.  The skill of skillful thinking is integral to the path.  Through developing skillful thinking we are able to shape our lives, we are able to live with wisdom & compassion, we are able to know the h...

Meditation is often difficult.  But, as Peter Doobinin explains, it's time well spent.  This talk was given by Peter in December 2025.

The practice of the dharma is the practice of being aware in the here & now.  Being aware of our experience, as it is, in the moment.  And, in turn, shaping our experience of the here & now.  In this talk, Peter Doobinin explains what it is to live in the here & now; and how we're able to do that.  The dharma talk was offered on December 21, 2025. You shouldn't chase after the past or...

The truths of the heart, the dhamma, are timeless and deathless.  The dharma has always been there and will always be there.  The Buddha didn't invent the dharma.  He found it.  And he taught a way, a path, by which we might find it.  Our task is to follow the path and, in turn, to be alert to the dhamma, that timeless quality.  It is from this place, that we seek to live.  The talk was offered by...

The dhamma is found inside.  Inside each of us.  It is found inside and it is always there.  It is timeless.  This talk was given by Peter Doobinin at the end of the year in December 2025. New York Dharma:  www.nydharma.org  

There is that which is subject to birth & death; and there is that which doesn't die.  As we understand the truth of impermanence, we gradually move toward knowing the happiness that doesn't die:  the happiness of the heart.  In this dharma talk, Peter Doobinin explain how our understanding of impermanence leads us to a greater happiness in this life.  He encourages us to ask, "Is there a happ...

In dharma practice, we learn to change.  We change our karma.  We change our actions.  The skills the Buddha teaches enable us to no longer act our on our past karma ... and in turn, to act in support of the heart.  As we practice these skills, we come to know a greater happiness in this life.  This dharma talk is the fourth in a series of four talks on "The Law of Karma" that Peter Doobinin gave...

All skillful qualities, the Buddha teaches, are rooted in heedfulness.  The practice of heedfulness enables us to discern which actions to take, which actions will lead us to a greater happiness in this life.  In this talk, Peter explains the skill of heedfulness, how we develop it, and the importance in doing so.  The dharma talk is the third talk in a series on "The Law of Karma" offered in Sept...

As the law of karma suggests, our happiness in this life depends on our actions.  As dharma students, we seek to take action that is skillful, informed by lovingkindness and compassion, in the service of knowing a greater happiness.  However, in order to develop in skillful action we have to transcend our habitual way of doing things:  our past karma.  In this talk, Peter explains the process we l...

Understanding of the law of karma is central to the Buddha's path.  In awakening, we awaken to the law of karma.  In this talk, Peter Doobinin describes the law of karma; and, importantly, he explains how we come to develop this elemental understanding.  The talk is the first in a series of dharma talks on the law of karma offered in September 2025. NY Dharma: www.nydharma.org  

The practice of the dharma is, when developed, a way of life.  It is the way of the heart.  In this dharma talk, Peter Doobinin describes the way of the heart and how we learn to develop the heart.  He talks about making the resolve to cultivate the way of the heart and encourages us to ask: what is my resolve to follow the way of the heart?  The talk was given in summer 2024. NY Dharma: www.nydha...

The Buddha was considered a spiritual doctor.  We have a spiritual disease, he tells us.  And he offers us a spiritual cure.  What is this spiritual disease?  What is the spiritual cure?  How do we apply it?  In this dharma talk, Peter Doobinin discusses these important questions.  The talk was given in August 2024.

In practicing meditation, we go through a process.  It requires learning a skill and putting in the effort.  As we develop in this process, we go through certain stages.  The development of these stages leads us to concentration, a concentration that is strong and useful, a concentration that enables us to come to the heart.  In this dharma talk, Peter Doobinin describes basic stages in meditation...

How is the heart?  Are we taking good care of the heart?  These are important questions for us to ask.  In this dharma talk, Peter Doobinin explains how we learn to take care of the heart from day to day, moment to moment.  The talk was given in March 2024.   "As a mother would risk her life    to protect her child, her only child,    even so should one cultivate a limitless heart    with regard t...

Gratitude is an essential element of the spiritual path.  When gratitude is developed, we're able to function at the highest level.  We're able to know the happiness of heart.  In this dharma talk, Peter Doobinin describes the skills for cultivating gratitude and the quality of appreciation.  The talk was given in May 2024. New York Dharma: www.nydharma.org  

Dharma practice is inherently countercultural.  We're asked to go against the current.  Doing this requires that we develop certain skills.  In an effort to practice simplicity, we practice certain skills.  We learn to see the drawbacks of chasing after sense pleasures; and we learn to know the joy of simplicity.  In this talk, Peter Doobinin describes the skills that the dharma student cultivates...

What does it mean to develop our goodness?  How do we express our goodness in the world?  In this dharma talk, Peter Doobinin describes the elements of a life of goodness.  As he explains, we seek, as dharma students, to live this kind of life because it brings happiness.  The talk was given at a NY Dharma daylong retreat in the spring of 2025. NY Dharma: www.nydharma.org  

In the practice of meditation, we make a journey to the present moment.  We make an effort to be here, now.  We may feel at times like we don't want to be here, we may feel like we don't belong.  But the practice of the dharma offers us a way to make this often difficult journey.  In doing so we come to realize that what we do in this life matters.  We come to learn that there is a place for us. ...

The Buddha's path, the dharma, leads us to our greatest potential as human beings.  To use a metaphor the Buddha often offered, we learn to cross the river to the further shore.  By developing in virtue, concentration & insight, we come to the heart.  We come to know a greater happiness: happiness of heart.  In this dharma talk, Peter Doobinin describes the path that leads us to the potential...

In this dharma talk, Peter Doobinin explains how we develop enthusiasm for the dharma, for our practice, for the path that leads to a greater happiness.  He talks about what this enthusiasm comprises and how it enables us to move forward in our practice.  As he notes, this kind of enthusiasm for dhamma is essential for us to cultivate as we make an effort to awaken and make the most of our lives. ...

As dharma students, practicing in accord with what the Buddha taught, we learn to incline to knowing the dhamma.  We learn to know moments of freedom, peace, true happiness.  In this talk, Peter Doobinin explains how we put ourselves in position to know dhamma.  He offer practical suggestions for finding dhamma in our day-to-day lives.  The talk was given in the summer of 2025 NY Dharma:  www.nydh...

In this talk Peter Doobinin discusses an elemental teaching of the Buddha's, the Buddha's teaching on fear of death.  As the Buddha tells us, if we develop certain qualities, we'll be able to move beyond the fear of death.  Specifically, there are four qualities that the dharma student develops that will enable her to move beyond this existential fear.  The dharma talk is the concluding talk in a...

We learn, as dharma students, to relate to fear skillfully.  In this effort, we learn to meet fear with love.  We learn to meet experience that is fearful with the heart, with metta, compassion, joy.  This is elemental to our training.  We have this profound potential, to meet things with love.  We become more and more able, as we practice, to move beyond fear.  The other side of fear is love.  An...

As dharma students, we're asked to confront fear.  And, in this effort, we're asked to be skillful.  We're asked to develop certain skills.  In this talk, Peter Doobinin explains the elements of the skill for practicing mindfulness of fear.  If we develop this skill, we'll be able to meet fear and, in turn, move beyond it.  The talk is the third in a series of dharma talks offered in June 2025 on...