The Gay Buddhist Forum by GBF
Buddhism for Liberation and Social Action. We invite teachers from all schools of Buddhism to offer their perspectives on the dharma and its application in modern times, especially for LGBTQIA audiences.
Produced by GBF - The Gay Buddhist Fellowship of San Francisco.
Episodes
879 episodes
Practicing with Suffering - JD Doyle
Rather than constantly trying to escape discomfort, can we engage with suffering as a gateway to insight and connection?In this talk, JD Doyle helps us turn directly toward the ever-present reality of suffering in our lives...
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Season 30
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Episode 11
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53:49
Working with Our Shame - René Rivera
How large of a force is shame in shaping the behaviors we see in society and ourselves? In this talk, René Rivera gently but powerfully guides us through the terrain of shame, drawing from personal experience, restorat...
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Season 30
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Episode 10
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57:01
Dealing with Subtle Forms of Suffering - Vimalasara
How can we bring mindful awareness to our patterns of subtle dissatisfaction that are also a form of Dukkha? Here, Vimalasara delves into the Buddhist concept of dukkha (suffering), exploring how our habitual ...
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Season 30
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Episode 9
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55:15
Working with Dukkha - Sean Feit Oakes
In his talk on dukkha (suffering), Sean Feit Oakes delves into the heart of Buddhist teachings, exploring how our habitual reactions to both pleasant and unpleasant experiences can entangle us in cycles of suffering.
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Season 30
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Episode 8
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58:57
Making the Best of a Bad Situation - David Lewis
David Lewis offers gentle guidance on navigating life's inevitable challenges. He emphasizes that suffering, or dukkha, is a fundamental aspect of human existence, but our response to it can transform our experience. David encourages emb...
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Season 30
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Episode 7
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57:35
Practice as if Everything Matters - Steven Tierney
How can we approach our spiritual journey with wholehearted attention day after day?Steven Tierney emphasizes that every aspect of our lives—no matter how mundane—holds the potential for awakening when met with sincerity and care....
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Season 30
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Episode 6
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55:00
Emotional Liberation - Prasadachitta
Can we use Buddhist practice to help us navigate emotional experiences?Prasadachitta shares that emotions are not obstacles to be suppressed but gateways to deeper understanding and freedom. By bringing mindful awareness to...
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Season 30
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Episode 5
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57:08
Remembering Refuge - Melvin Escobar
In this talk, Melvin Escobar reflects on the Buddhist practice of taking refuge in the Three Jewels—the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha—as a source of strength and solace in challenging times. He emphasizes that seeking re...
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Season 30
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Episode 4
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52:20
Distorted Perceptions - Kevin Griffin
Do our interpretations of reality contribute to our suffering? In this talk, Kevin Griffin emphasizes that our minds often construct narratives based on past experiences, leading to distorted views of the present. By r...
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Season 30
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Episode 3
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50:37
Taking Refuge in the Present Moment - Laura Burges
If we cannot find stability in external circumstances, where do we turn? Laura Burges shares that we can find solace within the immediacy of our own experience. She reflects on the traditional Buddhist practice of "tak...
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Season 30
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Episode 2
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51:30
Making Mistakes - Laura Burges
How can Buddhist practice help us navigate the inevitable missteps of life? Drawing from her own journey through addiction and recovery, Laura Burges emphasizes that making mistakes is an intrinsic part of being human....
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Season 30
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Episode 1
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52:40
Embracing The 6 Paramis - Jokai
How can we use the wisdom of the Paramis to guide our everyday life? In this talk, Jokai makes practical the six essential qualities that form the foundation of Mahayana Buddhist practice: The Paramis. Through humor and perso...
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Season 29
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Episode 37
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53:17
Being a Warrior of Compassion - Dale Borglum
The term warrior typically implies aggression. So what does it mean to be a "Warrior of Compassion?”In this insightful talk, Dale Borglum introduces the concept of the bodhisattva, or "warrior of compassion," emphasizing th...
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Season 29
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Episode 36
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57:09
Everything is Perfectly Imperfect (Part 3 of 3-part series) - Danadasa
In this 3-part series, Danadasa covers the "Three Great Turnings" of the wheel of the dharma that resulted in the Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana traditions.In this final talk, he explores the Vajrayana tradition's emphasis on h...
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Season 29
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Episode 35
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59:12
The Embodied Imagination: Doorways to Freedom (Pt. 2 of 3) - Danadasa
In this 3-part series, Danadasa covers the "Three Great Turnings" of the wheel of the dharma that resulted in the Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana traditions.Here in Part 2, he explores how Mahayana Buddhism builds on early Buddh...
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Season 29
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Episode 34
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52:41
When We Polarize, We Suffer (Pt. 1 of 3) - Danadasa
In this 3-part series, Danadasa covers the "Three great turnings" of the wheel of the dharma that resulted in the Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana traditions.Here in Part 1, Danadasa touches on Theravada perspectives, emphasizes ...
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Season 29
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Episode 33
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55:17
The 4 Immeasurables in Song - Jennifer Berezan
How can we make the Four Immeasurables (aka the Brahmavihārās or divine abodes) more present in our daily lives? In this talk, Jennifer Berezan explores these four virtues—loving-kindness, compassion, empathetic joy, and equanimi...
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Season 29
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Episode 32
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54:14
Somatic Meditation: The Anatomy of Practice - David Moreno
In this departure from our usual dharma talks, David Moreno guides us in weaving sitting practice with the Tantric practice of Yoga Nidra and the energetic practice of Qi Gong. These processes augment and integrate meditation into moving...
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Season 29
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Episode 31
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1:09:50
Boundless Loving-Kindness (Metta) - Dave Richo
How can we continue to stretch our sense of loving-kindness to include all beings?In this talk, Dave Richo explores the practice of loving-kindness (metta) in Buddhism, emphasizing its expansive nature. Using an an...
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Season 29
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Episode 30
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48:42
Joy & Compassion in the Face of Overwhelm - JD Doyle
When the world gets to be a little too much for us, how can we keep from shutting down?JD Doyle shares that the key lies in returning to our interconnectedness. JD ties this beautifully with the practice of the brahmavihara...
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Season 29
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Episode 29
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47:28
Intimacy with Yourself - Daigan Gaither
How can we become truly present and engage with each moment we experience?In both interpersonal relationships and self-reflection, Daigan Gaither advocates for an open, curious approach where we allow things to be as they a...
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Season 29
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Episode 28
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51:02
What Makes GBF Tick? - Volunteer Appreciation Day
A look under the hood of GBF, how things work, and those who keep it all together. COVID put huge strains on our group, and this is a time to recognize and thank the individuals who held up the roof beams and made GBF stronger in the process.
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Season 29
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Episode 37
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1:01:07
The Role of Pleasure in Our Practice - René Rivera
Can turning away from pleasurable experiences actually limit our practice?In this talk René Rivera shares that there are wholesome states that signal we are on the path to awakening. However the pleasurable states often get a "bad rap" ...
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Season 29
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Episode 16
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53:32
Gay Sexuality and Buddhist Dharma - Eric Kolvig
How can we reconcile our sexuality with Buddhist practice? (Recorded June 11, 1995)Following on the heels of the AIDS crisis, in 1995 societal shame about LGBTQ sexuality was quite prevalent. Eric Kolvig emphasiz...
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Season 1
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Episode 1
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52:32
Waking Up to the Nature of Reality - David Lewis
What did the Buddha mean when he spoke of ignorance?In this talk, David Lewis discusses the essence of mindfulness and the core principles of Buddhism, emphasizing direct experience over intellectual understanding. He explains th...
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Season 29
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Episode 27
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53:59
