For some practitioners, a focus on the discipline of practice may cause deep spiritual joy to seem elusive. But, in this encouraging dharma talk, Rev. WonGong breaks through such self-created barriers. She reflects on the many facets of joy that humans experience – from the fleeting to the profound – and shares her perspectives about the source and power of spiritual joy. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations
Pete's Retreat Reflections
What, exactly, happens during a Won Buddhist retreat? Long time temple practitioner Pete Warshaw (Won Jee Ho) details the many practices in which you may engage, and the impact they may have on your personal spiritual path. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations
Not, but Not Not by Cassie Hanson
Koan contemplations can be challenging, but in this dharma talk, Won Buddhist practitioner, Cassie Hanson, turns those challenges into poetry as she invites us to journey with her in a search for connection, meaning, and awakening. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations
Janice Marie's Retreat Reflections
In beautiful prose, dharma friend Janice Marie invokes the image of Mount Tai as an offering in gratitude to her retreat teachers, and also as the aspiration and model of her own practice.
Jared's Retreat Reflections
What arises for you when you attend a week-long retreat? Dharma friend Jared Heelis (Won JaeRyong) shares how his karmic struggles with "Noble Silence" helps to expose true nature. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations
Irene's Retreat Reflections
What is it like to attend a focused, seven day retreat in noble silence? Irene Sadler shares her deep and vulnerable reflections about the internal chatter that can rise up, and at the same time, show the way to a deeper connection with true nature. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations
In Nature, Our True Nature by Rev. WongGong
Rev. WongGong asks if we need to spend our lives forever pulling out the proliferating mind-weeds of distraction and disturbance? The secret may lie in the fact that there is no garden, and therefore, no weeds! Can this be so? See what Rev. WonGong means in her dharma message on this important topic. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations
Early Autumn Dharma by Rev. WonGong
In this beautiful and seasonal dharma talk, Rev. WonGong invites us to embrace early autumn’s balance of yin and yang in our practice and in our lives. She encourages us to abide in the harmonious energies of warmth and coolness, and to be like autumn trees – letting go of what is no longer useful so that we can experience vast spaciousness. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations
Am I a Servant of My Own Emotions? by Rebecca Kameny (WonHee)
Many people think emotions "just happen," but long-time practitioner, Rebecca Kameny (WonHee), describes the distinct ways sentient beings, bodhisattvas, and buddhas become masters or servants of their emotions. Interwoven into this is an exploration about how emotions are experienced and identified across cultures. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations
My Journey to North Carolina by Rev. Shaun
The newest Kyomunim to join to the North Carolina Temple, Rev. Shaun, relates his surprising journey from the birthplace on Won Buddhism in Korea, to the Chapel Hill community. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations
Herding the Ox of the Mind Part 2 by Nik Wall (Won HaeWol)
What does it mean "to train the ox of our mind?" Nik Wall (Won HaeWol), deftly explores some answers to that question by guiding us through two verses from the famous Buddhist allegory of practice, The 10 Oxherding Pictures. This talk focuses on a point midway in our practice journey, when we balance between holding onto our mind with discipline and letting it roam free. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations
Wanting Oneness: Psychedelics? Meditation? by Rev. WonGong
Asking Rev. WonGong if she has ever "...achieved oneness through meditation?" brings an enthusiastic "Yes!" So, how does this experience of oneness differ from employing mind-altering psychedelics? One's aspiration may be key. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations
Rock, Paper, Scissors by Rev. WonGong
What does the game "Rock, Paper, Scissors" have to do with ego? Rev. WonGong shows us how a simple game can expose what's in our minds, helping us know ourselves on a much deeper level. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations
Covid Solitude Retreat by Holly North (Won JahYoo)
In her reflective talk, practitioner Holly North (Won JahYoo) describes how she found grace and opportunity during the days she spent in covid quarantine at home. What at first seemed daunting reshaped itself into a gift of time and space when she brought a variety of meditation practices into her newfound solitude. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations
August Prayer by Rev. WonGong
Under the shade of a tall oak tree, a gentle prayer ascends to meet the warm sun of August. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations
Koan Contemplation by Patty Daniel (Won EunHaeHwa)
Koan contemplation practice can seem daunting to some of us, but in this bright, friendly dharma talk, longtime practitioner, Patty Daniel (Won EunHaeHwa), delves right in! With helpful information and insight born from experience, Patty opens the way for us to explore this important and useful meditation practice. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations
Facemask: The Dharma of Conditioning by Rev. WonGong
Facemasks have become a hot topic in recent years, and in this clear-sighted dharma talk, Rev. WonGong uses them as a vehicle for exploring the layers of conditioning that shapes our mind. As our understanding grows, so does compassion for ourselves and others. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations
See No Evil? by Lara Olson (Won LaSon)
In her deeply reflective dharma talk, long-time practitioner, Lara Olson (Won LaSon) unflinchingly looks at the concept of evil through Buddhist eyes. Peeling through layers of culture and self-doubt, she reveals how despair is actually self-aggression, while reverence aligns with the sacred and has the power of liberation. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations
Myriad Dharmas Return to One by Rev. ZiYoung
We can observe "Defilements and idles thoughts" in our every-day lives. Rev. ZiYoung describes how the Founding Master told a follower perplexed by this mind that, “The myriad dharmas return to one; to what does the one return?” What does this mean, and how can it possibly help us in our every-day lives? https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations
Window Reflection Meditation by Rev. WonGong
Many of us ask ourselves, "Who am I really?" - a question that Rev. WonGong contemplated as she watched her reflected image disappear in the morning light. In this gentle dharma talk, you are invited to join Rev. WonGong's introspective journey that begins with reflected light and ends with the Heart Sutra. https://www.wonbuddhismnc.org/donations