Life is full of traps. In order for a trap to be effective, it has to be appealing. So it is with life. The things that trap us tend to be attractive things – romantic love, wealth, fame, travel, excitement … These are the obvious baits. There are less obvious ones too, like patriotism, responsibility, […]
Blessedly, in this modern day fewer and fewer get severed limb from limb by bandits. We deal with more mundane severing, the the piecemeal flaying of taxes or the slow attrition of our car breaking down. But even if we were cornered and knew it was our last breaths, would we be able to accept
Sever Me Savagely 2 Read More »
During the last of the September Daylongs, Tahn Pamutto opens by reflecting on the theme of the day: Vipassana. This word has become ubiquitous in meditation circles but was not always so. While it’s an easy way to explain the process of freeing the mind, it was not a common or deeply expounded theme in
What is Vipassana? Daylong Read More »
Keep an eye on Unproductive Kammax at the bottom of the main page and at Dhamma Comics for some beautiful renderings of famous teachings, including A Taste of Freedom by Ajahn Chah and a visual tour of the Pali Canon!
A Visual Taste of Freedom Read More »
This last Wednesday we had a lively conversation around the topic of our mental landscape – small worldly concerns becoming massive mental hindrances. Sometimes we make a decision and we don’t get to know if it was the right one, and we can agonize and worry and dwell on what could have been. It’s amazing
Coming to terms with Uncertainty Read More »
Since the first of the year, Tahn Pamutto has been in residence in a spacious and well-equipped apartment generously offered in the town of Shelburne, not far from the Vipassana Meditation Center. During this time most of the online broadcasts have come from that location and there were many daylongs and even a weeklong retreat
Goodbye to Shelburne, For Now Read More »
In this Uposatha reflection, Tahn Pamutto discusses in depth the Second Noble Truth – that of the Origin of Suffering, namely Craving. It takes wisdom and investigation to see how this seemingly innocuous force in our daily lives, the gross or subtle wanting that drives us into situations, is in fact the requisite condition for
Talk: The Second Noble Truth Read More »
The latest Upavana newsletter is out, a bit early for the fall season to let everyone know about upcoming events in September. If you didn’t get the email, you can see it here: UPAVANA FALL NEWSLETTER You can sign up for the newsletter at the bottom of any page!
Upavana Fall Newsletter Read More »
Meditation: We started with a meditation. First we calmed ourselves, slowing down from the activity before. Listening to the house we were in, and getting quiet enough to hear it creak and gurgle. Things are always changing! Then we suggested a few scenarios that were a little silly but would be dukkha for someone in
Family Group: The First Noble Truth Read More »
On the Uposatha with a group online and in-person, Tahn Pamutto reflects on the First of the Four Noble Truths. These foundational teachings are not just true, in that they apply to all people, but they are ennobling – they allow us to be better, happier, and to suffer less. The first noble truth is
Talk: The First Noble Truth Read More »
