The Buddha’s Dream of Liberation: Freedom, Emptiness, and Awakened Nature

An evening author event with James William Coleman

James William Coleman’s new book, The Buddha’s Dream of Liberation: Freedom, Emptiness, and Awakened Nature, guides us through the profound wisdom of the classic sutras that lay the foundations for all of the different Buddhist traditions. In clear simple language, it explores the three great “Turnings of the Wheel of Dharma.” In first turning of the wheel, we gain insight into the nature of suffering—and the way out of it—from the four noble truths and the eightfold path. In the second turning, we encounter the revolutionary teaching on emptiness that rocked the Buddhist world. The third turning resolves the apparent contradiction between the first and the second turnings, and teaches us about the awakened buddha nature that is beyond all suffering and liberation. The book concludes with chapters from two great mediation teachers, Reb Anderson Roshi and Lama Palden Drolma, that show us how to bring those teachings into our practice and our daily lives.

In this evening program James Coleman will share teachings from his new book and guided meditations. The books will be available for purchase and you may ask the author to sign your copy before of after the program.

Please visit our Teachers Page for biographies and photos of our speakers.

Insight Meditation South Bay offers two weekly meditation programs. Tuesdays we meet in Mountain View for our drop-in weekly program of meditation and teachings. Thursdays we meet in Saratoga for our Dhamma Classroom, which offer a series of structured courses with registration, and periodic drop-in practice events.

Today’s group meets every Tuesday evening for a sitting and Dhamma talk in Mountain View. The principal teacher is Shaila Catherine and guest speakers are featured regularly. Thematic series are periodically presented, but whether or not a topic has been advertised in advance, Shaila or a guest teacher will lead the sitting and offer teachings. See also weekly sitting.

Newcomers are always welcome. To help newcomers get acquainted with mindfulness meditation and IMSB, a senior member or teacher offers a beginner’s orientation beginning at 6:30 on the first Tuesday of each month.

IMSB relies upon the generosity of participants to support our teachers and cover organizational expenses. Dana is a word in the ancient Pali language that describes donations, offerings and generosity. Two bowls will be available at an event to practice dana for the teacher and IMSB; we encourage you to give joyfully and generously, according to your resources and means. IMSB is a 501(c) (3) organization. All donations are tax deductible as permitted by law.