The Heart Of Practice

In a divided world, deep listening and letting go of attachments to outcomes bring clarity and peace. Becky Daniel reflects on embracing diverse perspectives with humility and staying calm through life’s changes. Through love, compassion, and respect for all, we can all find hope and strength in practice.www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations

Hope is a powerful force that can transform and sustain us during challenging times. In this personal and inspiring dharma talk, Rev. WonGong shares her perspectives on hope's expansiveness and depth, and she reminds us that hope is not a naive wish but an important practice.www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations

A Spiritual Pride Service inspired reflections on embracing diversity and confronting biases with an open heart. Drawing on Won Buddhist teachings, Rev. Shaun Song highlights the importance of staying focused (single-practice samadhi) in both challenges and comfort, urging compassionate action for a more inclusive world.www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations

What does it mean, "to live an abundant life?" Won Buddhist practitioner, Jo Ann Reeves (JooAhn), dives into this question and reminds us that no matter what stage of life we are in, setting cornerstones of gratitude, contentment, and purpose are key. When developed through our practice, these living cornerstones become the foundation for a rich and fulfilling existence.www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations

The universe is full of catalysts! Some come into our lives in the form of great teachers, while others may appear as brief or subtle shimmers of nature. Rev. Shaun Song provides some wonderful examples of both in this multi-layered dharma talk, and he encourages us to use our minds of open inquiry to discover these special gems as we journey in dharma and practice.www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations

The way we cultivate the fields of our minds results in the harvest we experience. This truth is beautifully explored by Rev. WonGong in this enlightening dharma talk. She reminds us that diligent cultivation is good, but we must avoid judgment, as it will exhaust and parch the mind-field we are trying to nurture. Rev. WonGong encourages us to follow the instincts of our true mind and to seek support from the community so we can cultivate a healthy mind-field and reap a beneficial harvest.www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations

The practice of gratitude is fundamental to Won Buddhism, and it means much more than developing a sense of appreciation. In this insightful dharma talk, longtime practitioner, Rebecca Kameny (Won Hee), explores what having a relationship with the essential graces of the universe entails, and she highlights the important roles that awareness, inquiry, and alignment with it play in our practice journey.www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations

What is true for both people and dogs is that we can calm our rambunctious minds through training. In this delightful comparison of mind-training and dog-training, longtime Won Buddhist practitioner, John Delconte (Won ShinKeun), shares some essentials for training success: engaging in a positive, consistent, and focused practice; discovering the root causes of our thinking and behaviors; and recognizing the interconnectedness of all beings during times of both grace and challenge.www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations

Won Buddhism encourages us to find dharma teachings in both written scripture and in the living scripture of the universe itself. But, if universal truth is everywhere, why don't we simply absorb it without effort? That is the question longtime practitioner, Michael Macklin (HyoungSan), explores in this insightful dharma talk during which he weaves together the relationship of wisdom, practice, and inquiry. www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations

Grappling with life's challenges regularly provides Buddhist practitioners with ample opportunities for practice. In this powerful and personal dharma talk, Won Buddhist practitioner, Kelly Denno (Won YeeSuh), shares how an experience of emotional heartbreak catalysed her journey of self-discovery and renewed her respect and appreciation for the power of letting-go.www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations

The gifts that unfold from dharma affinity and dharma community (sangha) are close to the hearts of Buddhist practitioners, and traditionally, a person's geographical location played a significant role in their ability to develop. In this dharma talk, Rev. WonGong shares how the power of the internet can shatter those old restrictions, freeing opportunities for the power and beauty of dharma affinity and sangha to develop unimpeded by time or place.www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations

The Buddhist teaching of cause and effect is not limited by place, time, a lifetime, or the concept of multiple lifetimes. In this thoughtful and personal reflection, Won Buddhist practitioner, Rupal Yu (Won OhnYu) explores the layers of cause and effect as it unfolds in our everyday world and beyond it.www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations

Won Buddhist practitioners embrace the importance of integrating practice with our daily life. Yet, might our perspectives about how such a practice unfolds be shaped by whether we understand each human life as a single one that ends in death or whether we view our current life as one in a coniuum of lives or in an afterlife? It is this question that longtime practitioner, Patty Daniel (Hwa Tawonim), addresses in this thoughtful dharma talk.www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations

The truths selflessly taught to us by nature and cicaadas are beautifully revealed in this dharma talk by Rev. WonGong. The lives of these unique creatures demonstrate perfected interconnectivity and focused purpose, and their enthusiasm for life and sound can inspire our own gratitude for each moment of our ephemeral lives.www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations

We all want to do good. But, at times, we can feel like we are not good enough to take action or to create change. Kathleen (Won HerrJu) shares an insightful talk on what it means to be an unassuming practitioner and to practice despite self-doubt.www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations

Inchworms are fascinating creatures: When they crawl, the front part of their body moves forward right away, but the rear part takes some time to catch up. This perfect analogy of how our minds sometimes work - especially when they are triggered by language - is beautifully explored in this reflective dharma talk by Won Buddhist practitioner, Laura Billings.www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations

Are you awake? What does it mean to become awakened? Given on this "Great Awakening Day 2024," Rev. WonGong conveys a number of gems that make up these "Thousands of Insights."www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations

In this wonderful guide to the foundational teachings of Won Buddhism, longtime practitioner, Paige Doster-Grimes (Doh Jin), guides us through the "Turtle Chart." Named based on its shape, the Turtle Chart is a beautifully designed visual that shows how Won Buddhism's philosophy is expressed throughout its interwoven and interconnected teachings.www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations

Ven. Jooksanim, Head Dharma Master of Won Buddhism USA, offers us motivational and insightful guidance for practicing meditation in the renewing season of spring.www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations

www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donationsTranscript:https://wonbuddhismnc.sharepoint.com...