Donate
Please consider making a donation to Dharma Wisdom to assist us in carrying out our mission of helping individuals live a values-based spiritual life in alignment with Buddhist principles.
Talks: A
Ambivalence, Ambiguity, and Ambition
This talk concludes Phillip’s series on ambivalence, ambiguity, and ambition, and covers the relationship of ambition to ambivalence and ambiguity. Phillip explains how to work with both wholesome and unwholesome ambition through mindfulness and compassion, as well as how to examine our ambition in terms of Buddha Dharma.... view
Ambiguity, Part III
Ambiguity expert David J. Wilkinson categorizes responses to ambiguity into four modes: technical, cooperative, collaborative, or generative. Without mindfulness we cannot know when ambiguity is present and thus can be caught in it. Once aware of ambiguity, we can explore our experience,seek clarity, and engage with ambiguity effectively.... view
Ambiguity, Part II
Ambiguity stems from many sources, including childhood and adolescent experiences. Exploring our ambiguity can lead us to deeper self-understanding. While ambiguity is sometimes positive, when it is disproportionate to a situation, it can be a hindrance to the mind and limits us.... view
Ambiguity, Part I
Our inability to comprehend clearly the way things are can cause suffering for ourselves and others. It can show up in our communications, in our relationships, and in our spiritual practice. Ambiguity can also be internal or external. As we become more mindful and tolerant of our ambiguity, we may find more clarity and experience less ambivalence.... view
Ambivalence, Part II
Through the cultivation of mindfulness, we can learn to be with our ambivalence in a skillful manner rather than focus on solving the underlying dilemma. We attune to our mind, heart, and intuition for insight and examine our passivity to discern whether it is skillful or unskillful. When we act, we do so in a manner whereby we are not defined by the ambivalence and then reflect on how we can live skillfully with our decision.... view
Ambivalence, Part I
Ambivalence can arise whenever desire is present, but it is not problematic unless it becomes the predominant experience. Then ambivalence paralyzes us. It has myriad causes and can manifest in many ways. The dharma shows us how to live skillfully when ambivalence is present, how to resolve ambivalence when it becomes a hindrance, and how to become united behind our resolve.... view
Authenticity, Part IV
Authenticity is not about abandoning a persona but rather grounding ourselves in our value system. By using wise intention in this moment rather than fixating on future goals, we can be authentic. Also, mindfulness helps us discern obstacles to living authentically.... view
Authenticity, Part III
Psychodynamics account for some of the reasons we lapse into inauthenticity, and there are many examples of such lapses. When we are inauthentic, we experience a feeling of falseness or incompleteness. A spiritual practice can support our aspiration to live more authentically.... view
Authenticity, Part II
Authenticity is to be “the thing itself.” To increase our ability to be authentic, we need to ground ourselves in something greater than ego such as our values, our Buddha nature. This ground strengthens our ability to overcome the hindrances to being authentic. ... view
Authenticity, Part I
What does it mean to live authentically? Authenticity encompasses an internal experience of Self, an external relationship with Other, and the combination of the two. We examine the role of mindfulness in living authentically and the causes and conditions that hinder our ability to live authentically.... view
Phillip Moffitt
At the peak of his career, former CEO and Editor-in-chief of Esquire magazine, Phillip Moffitt, traded in his worldly aspirations to explore the inner life. He subsequently founded the Life Balance Institute and now teaches vipassana meditation with an emphasis on living the dharma in daily life. Phillip is a co-guiding teacher at Spirit Rock Meditation Center and the author of Dancing with Life.
Dancing with Life
Buddhist Insights for Finding Meaning and Joy in Everyday Life
Receive Free Weekly Teachings based on Dancing with Life
STUDY THE BOOK: Get a free on-line study guide ››
Be Inspired in Your Spiritual Journey
Receive monthly e-teaching and reflection.