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.
The Gay Buddhist Forum by GBF
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 "taking refuge"—in the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha—and reimagines it as a deeply personal and embodied act. By anchoring ourselves in the present moment, Laura suggests, we can access a wellspring of clarity and compassion that helps us navigate life's uncertainties.
Laura offers several practical approaches to cultivate this refuge:
- Mindful Breathing: Use the breath as a tool to ground ourselves in the here and now.
- Sensory Awareness: Engage fully with our senses to deepen our connection to the present.
- Compassionate Presence: Approach each moment with kindness, both towards ourselves and others.
Through these practices, Laura encourages us to discover a sanctuary within, reminding us that the present moment holds the potential for profound peace and liberation.
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Ryuko Laura Burges, a lay entrusted dharma teacher in the Soto Zen tradition, teaches classes, lectures, and leads retreats in Northern California. She received monastic training at Tassajara Zen Mountain Center. Laura co-founded the Sangha in Recovery Program at the San Francisco Zen Center and is the abiding teacher at Lenox House Meditation Group in Oakland. Shambhala Publications offers her Buddhist children’s books, Buddhist Stories for Kids and Zen for Kids. Her most recent book from Shambhala is The Zen Way of Recovery: An Illuminated Path Out of the Darkness of Addiction. Laura lives in San Francisco.
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CREDITS
Audio Engineer: George Hubbard
Producer: Tom Bruein
Music/Logo/Artwork: Derek Lassiter