Wild Heart Meditation Center

Dave Smith talks about what it means to turn towards the parts of ourselves that we ordinarily avoid. He talks about how, as we begin to open ourselves to mindfulness practice, we begin to confront and can learn to embrace the underlying causes of dissatisfaction in our lives.

Dave Smith leads a retreat at New Life Foundation and speaks on the topic of "Awakening". Where does the Buddhist path lead, and what is the process of awakening?

Andrew discusses the human tendency towards self-harshness and self-improvement, and how this "negativity bias" of the mind gets in the way of finding joy and fulfillment in life.

Do we consider SEX a part of our spiritual practice? Andrew discusses the importance of including sexuality & intimacy as a part of our spiritual path. He discusses motivations for sex both within and out of committed relationships and how to work towards developing more intimacy and less harm around our sexuality.

For tonight's group, Andrew opens up dialogue surrounding separateness and suffering. He discusses how our deepest insecurities and fears, combined with years of history and subordinate vs. dominate (i.e. "self" and "other") dynamics influence our actions and our resistance to collective awakening.

Andrew discusses the role of samadhi (i.e. concentration or "collectedness of awareness") in mindfulness practice. He discusses how the meditator can better develop insight and overcome stressful obstacles by first "breaking the addiction" to the thinking mind. Once the meditator is grounded in a primary object of meditation (i.e. breath), they can then start to observe patterns of stress and rumination in the mind.

Andrew speaks at the Against the Stream center in Santa Monica and discusses the "Power of Perception" and the role of perception in awakening. Andrew specifically highlights how distorted perceptions often get us into trouble, as outlined in the Vipallasa Sutta.

Andrew offered this talk at Alameda Sangha in Oakland, CA. He discusses the Buddha's teaching, "The Noble Quest," highlighting the Buddha's discussion of the path to liberation as both a shift in perspective from "place" to "ground" and a path that goes "against the stream."

Andrew visits Against the Stream in Oakland and offers a talk on the "two wings" of Buddhist practice, wisdom and compassion. Andrew offers the practical framework of using mindfulness as a means of "seeing clearly" and "responding wisely;" he discusses the role of creativity and intention as supports for engaged Buddhist practice.

Dave Smith is in town at Against the Stream Nashville! Andrew and Dave share personal experience with confronting life's ups and downs on the path and how committing to dharma practice has transformed their relationship to pain and loss.

Andrew discusses contemplating the Buddha's core teaching--the 4 Noble Truths--as a means for awakening.

Andrew continues his discussion of the 4th Foundation of Mindfulness contemplations, focusing on the Five Aggregates. He discusses how, as sensitive beings, we are affected and inclined to act based upon how we feel and perceive the world. He also touches on the Buddha's teaching on Not-Self.

Andrew discusses his personal experience with compassion practice and the role of willingness, empathy, and limit-setting in engaged Buddhist practice.

In this talk, Dave Smith discusses the Second Noble Truth, highlighting the push and pull of craving and how this manifests as reactivity and dis-ease. This talks was given during Dave's time teaching at New Life Foundation in Thailand.

Andrew discusses the 4th Foundation of Mindfulness, highlighting the contemplation of "The Five Hindrances" as they relate to Buddhist practice.

In this episode, Andrew talks about the difficulty of confronting depression. He discusses how we can use the practices of mindfulness and equanimity to engage with and alleviate some of causes and conditions associated with depression.

He details the importance of dropping beneath our habitual emotional reactivity and compulsive thinking patterns into a more embodied and direct experience of our lives. How can we use mindfulness of feeling to free ourselves from the many destructive habits that no longer serve our personal and interpersonal wellbeing.

Dave Smith discusses the importance and challenge of "letting go" of obstacles that get in the way of our freedom. He discusses the role of faith and confidence as it relates to Buddhist practice. He also details the roll of renunciation and "un-hooking" from the many things that preoccupy our thoughts and provoke our fears and stressors. Enjoy!

The following is a talk from Against the Stream Nashville Founder, Dave Smith, that he gave while teaching a retreat at New Life Foundation in Thailand. Dave discusses the "Wisdom of Dissatisfaction" as it relates to Buddhist teaching and practice. The First Noble Truth is the cornerstone of the path to developing a deeper understanding of the ways in which we self-generate stress and often dismiss, avoid, or avert our attention from what is painful and difficult. Often, in our efforts to avoid pain, we often create more pain. Dave discusses the importance of turning towards the difficulty of life as a way of liberating the heart and deepening our understanding of human nature. Enjoy!

Andrew discusses the role of commitment and motivation in the undertaking of spiritual practice. He talks about the pali sanskrit word, samvega (“spiritual urgency”) as a foundational element of Buddhist practice. This talk spotlights the five reflections (Upajjhatthana Sutta) as a tool for remembering the temporariness of our life, health, and wellbeing. By taking time to reflect on the impermanent nature of life, we can remember how important it is to be present and available for the many challenges and joys that make life meaningful.