Oren Jay Sofer's most recent Dharma talks (Dharma Seed)

(Online)

(Online) The deepest transformation unfolds over years, too gradually to see — yet the only unit we ever actually work with is a single moment, met with kindness and a willingness to let go. Like a tree growing ring by ring, a whole life takes shape one moment at a time, with far less to manage than we think.

(Online)

(Online) Drawing on the Mettā Sutta, this talk from Clear Dharma Sangha explores mettā as a way of life, a profound wish for the safety and happiness of all beings, and a way of seeing. Through the practice of the neutral person, we begin to extend goodwill beyond preference — and to cultivate a refuge that steadies us not to escape, but to turn toward the world with clarity, courage, and care.

(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center) Joy is not a break from meeting the world's pain — it's what makes it possible to keep meeting it. An exploration of mudita, appreciative joy, and the many ways the heart can learn to rejoice.

(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center) Introducing metta practice

(Online) In times of uncertainty and constant stimulation, the heart needs a reliable place to rest. This talk explores the Buddhist teaching of refuge as the foundation for practice and transformation. We begin by reflecting on where we habitually seek safety, and why many forms of refuge prove unstable. From there, the talk introduces the deeper meaning of taking refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma...

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) In this guided meditation with instructions, we begin with connecting with the felt sense of metta, then explore offering phrases for a benefactor, mentor, or good friend.

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) In this talk from the first night of a weeklong silent retreat, Oren Jay Sofer explores mettā (lovingkindness) as both refuge and strength. Framing the Buddhist path as a practice of wise relationship, he offers several ways to cultivate mettā, inviting us to consider what it means to relate to life with warmth, steadiness, and care—even in a world of change and unc...

(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center) Instructions and guided meditation on how to practice metta for those with whom we have conflict, difficulty, or struggle.

(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center) How do we meet suffering—our own and the world’s—without being overwhelmed? Compassion invites us to turn toward pain with an open heart and respond, while equanimity offers balance and perspective. The two work together, allowing us to engage wholeheartedly, without attachment to outcomes, responding with wisdom and care in the face of uncertainty, lo...

(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center) This talk introduces formal instructions for metta practice in the traditional form of phrases and categories. After sharing about the spirit and principles behind the practice, we engage in a guided meditation first receiving metta from a benefactor, then offering metta to a benefactor, and finally offering metta to oneself.

(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center) This talk explores core questions of lovingkindness practice: What is "metta"? What is its relevance in our lives and our world? How does it function to transform our hearts and world? And how do we strengthen metta?

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Guided Meditation on using an anchor to settle the heart-mind.

(Insight Meditation Community of Washington DC) The pace of change is speeding up and much of the news we receive is alarming. More than ever, we need the inner reflections and meditations that help us connect with our capacities for clarity, bravery and openheartedness. This is what Tara explores with Oren Jay Sofer, in his book entitled: Your Heart Was Made For This: Contemplative Practices to M...

(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center) Instructions for loving kindness, practice, and a guided meditation

(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center) What is Metta? How do we experience it? How do we strengthen it?

(Insight Meditation Community of Berkeley) Happy New Year! I hope you enjoyed an uplifting transition to 2024. I'm delighted to invite you to join me in welcoming author and Dharma teacher Oren Jay Sofer for an evening of online practice and exploration based on his new book, Your Heart Was Made For This: Contemplative Practices to Meet a World in Crisis with Courage, Integrity, and Love. What doe...

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) The differences between Samatha and Vipassana (calm abiding and insight) practice, with some attention to compassion as a flavor of right attitude.

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Guided meditation plus Q&A on working with anchors and developing calm abiding.

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) Reflections on the path of practice as cultivating skillful qualities and freeing the heart / mind from suffering.

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center)

(Spirit Rock Meditation Center) An exploration of the power of metta to transform our hearts and our world.

(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center)

(Insight Meditation Society - Retreat Center)