The Winds of Change

We are here, on the mountain, with a tremendous view. Let the breath speak to us. Stay and watch, even the suffering, investigate patiently like a parent, even if their child objects and runs away – patiently keep trying, be receptive, be available. Gently…

Nothing There: Beyond the Prison of ‘Self’

The Fourth Insight known as udayabbaya ñāņa arises bestowing six qualities of upekkha as well as intimate knowledge of anicca through seeing the arising and disappearance of all conditioned things – most importantly, the emptiness of ‘self’. A talk given at Sati Saraniya Hermitage…

Give Up What Destroys You

Developing virtue and moral disarmament are core practices for true peace in this world. That must happen within us. If we want to protect each other and promote harmlessness and nonviolence, we must do the work of inner disarmament ourselves. A talk given at…

Fearlessness

Ayya Medhanandi’s talk on Fearlessness at the 6th Street Community Center, East Village, sponsored by Buddhist Insights, NY 2018:

Audio Chants

Here you will find a number of recorded chants by Sati Saraniya Sangha and others.

Hospice Talks & Guided Meditations

From 2008-2014, Ayyā Medhānandī lead meditation courses in the Ottawa area organized by Hospice Care Ottawa (Maycourt Hospice), Elizabeth Bruyere Palliative Care Program, and, more recently, Friends of Hospice programs for staff and volunteers.  Some of those sessions were recorded. If you would like…

Mirror Mirror on the Wall

Is your mind full of the present moment at all times? We can learn to integrate our practice with our everyday lives as awareness develops when we are both on and off the meditation cushion. With diligence, we can realize a mind that is…

Turning to Dust: Death Contemplations

The nine-cemetery contemplations presented in the Satipatthana Sutta work with elemental perspectives on the parts of the body by simulating their condition after death. The clarity of mind realized in these special practices sheds light on how valuable death contemplations are for a wholesome…

Love Wisdom More Than Life

To bring the mind to peace, we must learn about all that makes it unpeaceful, unquiet. We learn how to prevent those things from arising, and how to deal with them if they do. Follow virtue. Stay close to spiritual friends, to the Buddha….

Entering the Gate: Four Spiritual Powers

Though our spiritual paths are many and varied, we can all practice with enough present moment awareness, faith, energy and commitment to realize the boundless nature of the heart that seemed at first beyond our reach. Satipañña Insight Meditation Toronto (SIMT) Retreat, Chapin Mill,…