The Gay Buddhist Forum by GBF

How does joy arise in our lives? Do we notice our experience of joy or do we minimize it as merely a fleeting good feeling?  In this talk, Alistair notes that we tend to naturally dwell on the negative, so it's important to welcome and anchor the joy we encounter in life to incline ourselves toward it more and more in each present moment.   Recent science tells us that our brain is shaped by...

In this talk, John Martin shares that our practice can lead us to a peace that is not dependent on the conditions of the outside world. It is cultivated by our internal practice and inner peace means freedom from disquieting or oppressive thoughts and emotions. Peace arises in those times when we are not fixated on the past or the future but on the current moment. Accepting the present moment allo...

In this interactive talk, Prasadachitta reflects on the practice of chanting and then leads the sangha in a few chants. In the Triratna tradition, chanting engages the imagination, which helps counterbalance the more cognitive aspects of the dharma teachings that engage the rational mind. He describes how chanting and imagery can help us open up to all aspects of the present moment, the vast world...

How do we respond when we witness suffering? In this talk, Devin Berry reflects on passages from the Dhammapada related to compassion for others and ourselves in the face of dukkha. He shares that the Buddha described compassion as "the trembling of the heart in response to suffering." Especially in marginalized communities, we practice to create a refuge of belonging, which requires ope...

In this talk, Melvin Escobar encourages us to meditate on two Koans: "What is your original face?" and "What was your original face before your parents were born?" He offers the perspective on aspects of the 3 Jewels: The Buddha - representing the Oneness of all things; The Dharma - representing the Diversity of all things; The Sangha - where Oneness and Diversity merge in harm...

You can WATCH this talk, which includes photos and video, at: https://gaybuddhist.org/podcast/dharma-trio-bali-retreat/ ______________ Three members of our sangha, Jeff Lindemood, Michael Murphy, and Cass Brayton, recently participated in a month-long meditation retreat in Bali, Indonesia. The retreat was small, only four people, with no official teacher, so they were able to intimately explore th...

In this rich talk, punctuated with wise quotes, David Lewis examines the nature of the mind and shares that our practice can be much easier than we make it out to be. Often we just need to relax and settle in to what is happening in the moment. Tilopa, the teacher of Naropa who founded the Vajrayāna tradition, offered these simple practice instructions:  "Don't recall, imagine, think, ex...

Rev. Liên Shutt shares thoughts on how to 'be with' suffering, such as the harm brought about by climate change. Liên shares an approach to reframing the 4 Noble Truths as a restorative model for suffering and harm reduction. She describes the Eightfold Path in terms that are actionable and active rather than passive. Reframing our view in more holistic terms, we can consider Indra'...

The term Saddhā is often translated as 'faith' but it is different from the 'blind faith' often associated with the word in the West. By exploring the 'Chunky Sutta' we gain an understanding that in the original Pali text, the meaning was closer to 'provisional trust' which is the opposite of skeptical doubt. In Buddhism, we are encouraged to rely upon our o...

Alan Levin shares his personal and professional insights on the use of entheogenic substances in the pursuit of spiritual growth. His interest lies in the potential for psychedelics to amplify one's existing and ongoing spiritual practice.  He touches on the importance of safety, guidance, and intention when using these substances for a spiritual rather than recreational purpose. He explains...

Steven Tierney explores the many ways that our trust has been broken by our upbringing, by society, and even ourselves, especially when we do not fit in or are considered to be different. Some of the tools we can utilize to repair broken trust include: 1. Mantra practice - to soothe, remain grounded and present in the moment. 2. Cultivate an enlightened witness to our lives (a spiritual friend, or...

In this talk, Bob Stahl speaks about his experience with reconciling, making peace, or making amends as we progress through life.  He shares his thoughts on reconciling ourselves to four aspects of life:  The times I've been too hard on myself. The others I have hurt. Those that have hurt me. The condition of the life that I actually have and now experience. ______________ Bob Stahl, Ph. D.,...

How do we make space for natural human emotions, including those we avoid such as shame? Can we not be afraid of them, and hold our experience with more acceptance and compassion? Shame has a very visceral component that hijacks our emotions, much like encountering a dangerous animal. In this rich talk, Ian explores the various aspects of shame that cross our minds and how we can examine these des...

Many of us come to our practice with some degree of suffering. Our regular ways of dealing with life may be creating stress, or we feel a wanting, that something is missing as we engage in our capitalistic society.  While yearning for something is not in itself bad, we need to examine where we are looking for it. Rather than trying to just get from here to there or to become something we are not,...

In the Buddhist understanding of the universe, we are not separate individuals, but impersonal streams of cause-and-effect that have been unfolding since beginningless time. This is a radical interruption of the idea we have been trained to believe: that we are fundamentally human, with an individual essence and identity. The teaching on the “six realms” proposes that the stream of action ( karma...

How do we have a response in keeping with loving-kindness when people hate us or hurt our feelings? In this talk, Dave defines hatred as "malicious rage with ill-will and an insatiable desire to hurt you or get back at you." He shares three possible types of responses, taken from his book, " Triggers: How We Can Stop Reacting and Start Living. " Find his handout here: https://g...

What roles do reverence and veneration play in our practice?   These may be in the form of 'taking refuge' in the 3 Jewels (the Buddha, Dharma and Sangha), bowing, chanting, or other ceremonial actions that lead us to a deeper connection with the dharma. Although the Buddha warned of not becoming attached to rites and rituals, when approached skillfully they can have a beneficial role of...

Daigan speaks about liberation and how we access it, often beginning by listening to our inner voices, our body, and the other sense gates. He shares a poem titled "To the Soul" by W.S. Merwin that questions which of these, if any, is genuinely ourself.  ______________ Rev. Daigan Gaither (he/him) began Buddhist practice in 1995 in the Vipassana (Insight) tradition, and then began to stu...

Kevin shares concepts from his latest book, "Living Kindness." He speaks about the necessity to make ourselves the first beneficiary of our own loving-kindness (metta) because it's so easy to fall into self-criticism and negativity. He relates the actual feeling of loving-kindness and its relationship to other aspects of practice - it both depends on mindfulness and acts to support...

John explores worldly happiness vs. a deeper inner contentment the Buddha referred to as sukha - an unconditional happiness that is independent of the world.  He discusses how we can cultivate this in our lives by detaching from our preferences and accepting the unreliability of the material world. Specific practices to generate unconditional happiness include:   Gratitude Generosity  Non-harming...

In this talk Zerdan teaches on the Six Perfections which are the focus of the Mahayana tradition, just as the Theravada tradition focuses on the Eightfold Path. They mix practice with a specific intention:   Giving Patience Effort  Moral Discipline Concentration Wisdom He also recounts his background as a Catholic, Pentecostal, atheist, Universalist, and Zen practitioner before becoming a Kadampa...

Prasadachitta talks about the appeal of Buddhism and the concept of 'Stream Entry' -- the initial point at which one is drawn to Buddhism and enlightenment. He shares what drew him to Buddhism and how it relates to the concept of faith. Then he explores how expanding our thinking about what is possible and worthwhile can enliven and broaden our practice.  He explains that Stream Entry in...

What happens when we vow not to run away from difficulty, but instead develop a relationship with what we're trying to escape? What do we turn to when we are avoiding things? Can we vow not to run to that distraction over and over? In this talk Dale Borglum explores the nature of vows across the three main Buddhist traditions: Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana. He describes the foundational v...

Do you find it challenging dealing with the holidays and your family? If you experience "10,000 Joys and Sorrows" during the holiday season, Laura's talk might be helpful. She speaks about the judging mind, comparing mind and habit patterns. Also included are your authentic self and the Dharma aspect of the book "The Underachiever's Manifesto" by Ray Bennett.  _______...

In what ways do we experience resistance (aversion) in the face of today's environmental and social change? In this talk, Alistair Shanks describes various forms of resistance, in both the body and the mind. He then offers how we can observe and hold our resistance with equanimity in these trying times.  ____________  Alistair Shanks is the Volunteer Program Manager at Zen Caregiving Project...