Wild Heart Meditation Center

Andrew continues a series of talks on the Buddha's teachings of the 3 Marks of Existence. How often do we suffer over the story the mind tells about ourselves? The endless comparisons, expectations, and negative self-talk. What if the Buddha told you that all of those stories are simply just thoughts? At first that may feel condescending, but once you sit in meditation and start taking the mind less personally, we can find so much freedom from its unhelpful stories and comments. Enjoy!

This is a continuation of a series of talks on the topic of "The 3 Marks of Existence". These are the essence of the Buddha's teachings: impermanence, unsatisfactoriness, and not-self. Andrew kicks it off by talking about how we can notice impermanence on every scale of our lives: macro (birth, aging, illness, and death), mezzo (changing events and experiences in our lives), and micro (moment to moment changes in our sensory experience and mind). In particular, Andrew highlights how the Buddha teaches that sitting with the micro level of our experience helps us to acclimate to impermanence in a more internalized way. How meditation truly teaches us peace and equanimity with change. Enjoy!

Andrew Chapman begins a series of talks on the 3 marks of existence, which are the 3 core insights realized through the Buddha's teachings and the practice of vipassana (insight meditation). The 3 marks are: Anicca, Dukkha, and Anatta, which roughly translate to mean: impermanent, imperfect, and impersonal. We're very excited for this series and hope you enjoy!

In this episode Rev. Mikey Noe and Callan Dwan offer an introduction and overview of the Satipatthana Sutta. This discourse outlines the four foundations of mindfulness which are:1st Foundation- Mindfulness of Breath & Body2nd Foundation- Mindfulness of Feeling Tone3rd Foundation- Mindfulness of Mind4th Foundation- Mindfulness of Dhammas The Satipatthana Sutta is available here:https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/mn/mn.010.nysa.html Thanks for listening. I hope you enjoy. Peace & Love. 

In this episode, WHMC facilitator Maddie Finn offers a talk on "The Second Arrow". A teaching that brings clarity to the ways we can cause extra suffering and pain for ourselves. She touches on not only the basics of this profound teaching, but also how to implement it into practice both on and off the meditation cushion.

In this episode Rev. Mikey Noe and Callan Dawn offer a talk on the Five Spiritual Faculties which are: faith, energy, mindfulness, concentration, and wisdom. Enjoy! 

In this episode WHMC facilitator Roy Wyman takes a deep dive into Viparinama Dukkha. He discusses how practicing with the understanding that all pleasant things are subject to change, can be a powerful vehicle for insight. Can we be willing to acknowledge that clinging to pleasant experiences and things will not bring lasting happiness? 

In this episode, guest facilitator, Jennifer Wang, and Andrew Chapman tag team a talk on equanimity. Jennifer starts off by talking about how equanimity fits into the larger scheme of the Heart Practices, as a balancing factor. Then, Andrew talks about the experience of equanimity as spaciousness and letting go of control. Lastly, Jennifer shares about the common misconceptions of equanimity and then Andrew outlines the practice and offers a guided meditation. Enjoy!

in this talk, WHMC Facilitator Maddie Finn talk about equanimity. how do the Buddha's teachings and the meditation path that we're on help us develop more evenmindedness and balance with life's inevitable joys and sorrows? how do we find peace, even when life itself is not feeling very peaceful? this is the practice of equanimity: a deep abiding sense of steadiness inside of oneself. Enjoy!

This is the second talk in a month of practice on compassion. Andrew discusses Self-Compassion and the 4 aspects of: Understanding, Empathy, Equanimity, and Compassion. Enjoy!

This is the last talk in a month of practice focused on Metta - or lovingkindness. Andrew shares two practices: 1. Metta for a benefactor, and then 2. Viewing all experiences through lovingkindness. Enjoy!

Andrew begins a series of talks on the Brahmaviharas, sometimes referred to as The Heart Practices. These qualities of Lovingkindness, Compassion, Gratitude, and Equanimity are said to be sublime states that can be cultivated in one's heart and practiced in all aspects of life. Among the many beautiful teachings the Buddha offers, perhaps the heart practices are the most accessible and immediately beneficial for transforming suffering into peace and liberation from reactive habits of body, speech and mind. Enjoy!

In this episode Mikey Noechel and Andrew Chapman team up to offer a talk on the 4 Noble Truths and a guided meditation on R.A.I.N.The Four Noble Truths are:1. There is pain and difficulty in life. Embrace this truth.2. Reactive and repetitive craving is the cause of suffering. Let go of reactivity.3. There is an end to suffering. See the freedom.4. The eightfold path is the path away from suffering. Act in accordance to the eightfold path.R.A.I.N. stands for Recognize, Allow, Investigate, Nurture. Peace & Love. Enjoy!

On the final full day of retreat, Andrew offers the afternoon instructions for the group to practice for the remainder of the day. He talks about dropping the concentration meditation practice and opening up to experience with curiosity. Enjoy!

In this episode Mikey Noechel offers a talk and guided meditation on the 3rd foundation of mindfulness: mindfulness of the mind. This talk was given at the Peace Within The Wild Heart Retreat in Bay St. Louis, MS on Sept. 1st-5th, 2022. Enjoy!

On the second evening of the five day Wild Heart Meditation Center residential retreat, Andrew talks about how we've been set up for survival rather than happiness. He talks about the Buddha's teaching on the second noble truth, how craving and clinging cause suffering, and how we often, unknowingly, exchange short term pleasure for long term unhappiness in our lives... and how we can break that cycle through mindfulness. enjoy!

In this episode Mikey Noechel offers an overview and guided meditation on compassion as a way to meet all unpleasant feelings, whether they be physical, mental, or emotional. This talk was given at the Peace Within The Wild Heart Retreat in Bay St. Louis, MS on Sept. 1st-5th, 2022. The phrases Mikey offers are: "I feel you. I know you. I care about you."Enjoy!

On the second morning of the Peace Within the Wild Heart Retreat, Marika Maypop offers an overview and meditation instructions on the 2nd foundation of mindfulness, "Mindfulness of Feeling Tone". By exploring our relationship with the pleasant, unpleasant, and neutral feelings of each moment, we can see how the mind's reactivity builds up, causing clinging and aversion. The link between feeling tone and reactivity is where the Buddha instructs us to practice letting go, and experiencing the liberation that comes from stepping out of reactive patterns in the mind. Enjoy!

In this episode Mikey Noechel offers a dharma talk titled, "Showing Up For Peace". Mikey explores aspects of his own personal story of finding peace within meditation and emphasizes the importance of simply showing up regardless of internal conditions. Mikey also honor's Dipa Ma on the anniversary of her death, using her story and teachings to motivate perseverance in spiritual practice. Enjoy!

In this episode, Marika Maypop offers further instructions on developing "Mindfulness of Breathing". This is often the most foundational practice and is essential for developing tranquility which is a support for the liberating insight that comes through meditation. Enjoy!