It's well-known that we often find life, the world, and other people to be challenging, overwhelming, exasperating. It may be less well-known that our minds play a large part in shaping those perceptions. We have much power to change them, by purifying the mind of the Five Hindrances—sensual desire, ill will, stupor, anxiety, and shallow doubt. In doing so, we become more able to meet life, the world, and other people with our true capacity for wisdom and love. Even more importantly, we reclaim access to genuine joy and freedom. 

This is part of a talk that was given at a silent retreat in April 2018. This is a time for the MAPLE community to focus exclusively on awakening.
-----
The Monastic Academy is a training center dedicated to creating wise, powerful, and loving leaders who are an unstoppable force for social and environmental peace on Earth.
If you're interested in learning more, go to our website monasticacademy.org

We are accepting applications for 2-3 month-long apprenticeships. The training will provide you opportunities to dive deeply into mindfulness practice in community, working, and dedicated sitting periods. The apprenticeship is FREE with room and board provided.
Learn more here: www.monasticacademy.org/apprentice

Clearing Hindrances To Wisdom - Soryu Forall

Humans can be confused about the nature of many things, such as other people, and superhero movies. Those movies seem to be about people, even though the world doesn't work like that. The real superpower that has allowed humans to change the world is cooperation, whereas a single person doesn't change much. But there IS something that works like a superhero movie, and is even more exhilarating and frightening than that—because it's real. 

This is part of a talk that was given at a silent retreat in February 2019. This is a time for the MAPLE community to focus exclusively on awakening. It references the Ten Stages from the Avataṃsaka Sutra, but knowing the text is not necessary.
-----
The Monastic Academy is a training center dedicated to creating wise, powerful, and loving leaders who are an unstoppable force for social and environmental peace on Earth.
If you're interested in learning more, go to our website monasticacademy.org

We are accepting applications for 2-3 month-long apprenticeships. The training will provide you opportunities to dive deeply into mindfulness practice in community, working, and dedicated sitting periods. The apprenticeship is FREE with room and board provided.
Learn more here: www.monasticacademy.org/apprentice

Like A Superhero Movie, But For Real - Soryu Forall

Words and concepts are useful to us because they're cheap. It's easy to say "I love you." However, the act "I love you" is beyond words, more real than words, and takes real sacrifice. 

This is part of a talk that was given at a silent retreat in December 2019. This is a time for the MAPLE community to focus exclusively on awakening.
-----
The Monastic Academy is a training center dedicated to creating wise, powerful, and loving leaders who are an unstoppable force for social and environmental peace on Earth.
If you're interested in learning more, go to our website monasticacademy.org

We are accepting applications for 2-3 month-long apprenticeships. The training will provide you opportunities to dive deeply into mindfulness practice in community, working, and dedicated sitting periods. The apprenticeship is FREE with room and board provided.
Learn more here: www.monasticacademy.org/apprentice

Go Beyond Words By Taking Action - Soryu Forall

In the modern age, we often encounter views that are more insidious than they first appear, such as: 
"Who knows what's actually bad?" 
"There's nothing you can do that matters." 

They're reasonable responses given the incredible amount of pain and ignorance in the world. Nonetheless, they disable our capacity for compassion and clarity, and stem from unwillingness to face the pain and insecurity, and pay attention to the outcomes of our actions. If we want to be of service to the world, we need to cut these views out of our hearts. 

This excerpt is from a talk that was given at a silent retreat in May 2018. This is a time for the MAPLE community to focus exclusively on awakening.
-----
The Monastic Academy is a training center dedicated to creating wise, powerful, and loving leaders who are an unstoppable force for social and environmental peace on Earth.
If you're interested in learning more, go to our website monasticacademy.org

We are accepting applications for 2-3 month-long apprenticeships. The training will provide you opportunities to dive deeply into mindfulness practice in community, working, and dedicated sitting periods. The apprenticeship is FREE with room and board provided.
Learn more here: www.monasticacademy.org/apprentice

Dangers of Thinking "Nothing Really Matters" - Soryu Forall

To realize that the basis of happiness is virtue can be a joyful adventure, but it's not easy. We can see for ourselves it takes a lot of trial and error, doing all kinds of stupid things and learning from them. Like us, the fully awakened Gautama Buddha had to do the same. While his former life was that of a prince, his path might have started long before that. More important than whether tales of his past lives truly happened is the question: can they teach us something true that can guide us in our own path?

This excerpt is from a talk that was given at a silent retreat in May 2021. This is a time for the MAPLE community to focus exclusively on awakening.

Humble Beginnings of the Fully Awakened One - Soryu Forall

How many big decisions have you made in your life? Not what college to attend, but truly life-defining choices? In this talk, Soryu gives uncompromising guidance on how to not just go along with the program, but to make real decisions. 

This excerpt is from a talk that was given at a silent retreat in May 2021. This is a time for the MAPLE community to focus exclusively on awakening.
-----
The Monastic Academy is a training center dedicated to creating wise, powerful, and loving leaders who are an unstoppable force for social and environmental peace on Earth.
If you're interested in learning more, go to our website monasticacademy.org

We are accepting applications for 2-3 month-long apprenticeships. The training will provide you opportunities to dive deeply into mindfulness practice in community, working, and dedicated sitting periods. The apprenticeship is FREE with room and board provided.
Learn more here: www.monasticacademy.org/apprentice

How Not To Make Life Decisions - Soryu Forall

Siddhartha Gautama had triumphed over all of Māra's manipulations, but he had one last powerful strategy that would directly strike at Gautama's self-confidence. How was the yet-enlightened bodhisattva able to withstand such a blow? 

Part 1: https://soundcloud.com/monasticacademy/better-to-die-than-live-defeated-soryu-forall-part-1-of-3/
Part 2: https://soundcloud.com/monasticacademy/better-to-die-than-live-defeated-soryu-forall-part-2-of-3/
-----
The Monastic Academy is a training center dedicated to creating wise, powerful, and loving leaders who are an unstoppable force for social and environmental peace on Earth.
If you're interested in learning more, go to our website monasticacademy.org

We are accepting applications for 2-3 month-long apprenticeships. The training will provide you opportunities to dive deeply into mindfulness practice in community, working, and dedicated sitting periods. The apprenticeship is FREE with room and board provided.
Learn more here: www.monasticacademy.org/apprentice

Better to Die than Live Defeated - Soryu Forall (Part 3 of 3)

As Siddhartha Gautama continued his endeavor to fully awaken, Māra returned with his myriad of terrifying armies. We may all be more familiar with them than we'd expect. How did the yet-enlightened bodhisattva survive their attacks?

To hear more, go to Part 3: https://soundcloud.com/monasticacademy/better-to-die-than-live-defeated-soryu-forall-part-3-of-3/
Part 1: https://soundcloud.com/monasticacademy/better-to-die-than-live-defeated-soryu-forall-part-1-of-3/
-----
The Monastic Academy is a training center dedicated to creating wise, powerful, and loving leaders who are an unstoppable force for social and environmental peace on Earth.
If you're interested in learning more, go to our website monasticacademy.org

We are accepting applications for 2-3 month-long apprenticeships. The training will provide you opportunities to dive deeply into mindfulness practice in community, working, and dedicated sitting periods. The apprenticeship is FREE with room and board provided.
Learn more here: www.monasticacademy.org/apprentice

Better to Die than Live Defeated - Soryu Forall (Part 2 of 3)

When Siddhartha Gautama committed himself to not get up until fully awakened, he was challenged by a formidable and cunning foe who didn't want him out of their grasp. How did the yet-enlightened bodhisattva prevail? Soryu retells this most epic part of the Buddha's life story. 

This is Part 1 of 3, which stands well on its own. To hear more, go to Part 2: https://soundcloud.com/monasticacademy/better-to-die-than-live-defeated-soryu-forall-part-2-of-3/
-----
The Monastic Academy is a training center dedicated to creating wise, powerful, and loving leaders who are an unstoppable force for social and environmental peace on Earth.
If you're interested in learning more, go to our website monasticacademy.org

We are accepting applications for 2-3 month-long apprenticeships. The training will provide you opportunities to dive deeply into mindfulness practice in community, working, and dedicated sitting periods. The apprenticeship is FREE with room and board provided.
Learn more here: www.monasticacademy.org/apprentice

Better to Die than Live Defeated - Soryu Forall (Part 1 of 3)

Soryu Forall guides us in finding relaxation and cultivating energy in the body, then exploring how they are complementary for deepening our practice. 

This guided meditation was given at a silent retreat in March 2021.
-----
The Monastic Academy is a training center dedicated to creating wise, powerful, and loving leaders who are an unstoppable force for social and environmental peace on Earth.
If you're interested in learning more, go to our website monasticacademy.org

We are accepting applications for 2-3 month-long apprenticeships. The training will provide you opportunities to dive deeply into mindfulness practice in community, working, and dedicated sitting periods. The apprenticeship is FREE with room and board provided.
Learn more here: www.monasticacademy.org/apprentice

Relaxation and Energy - Guided Meditation by Soryu Forall

In order to sustain our practice, it's essential to celebrate our progress, but how do we do that without so much of the ego that we work hard to relinquish? Soryu Forall provides guidance on this tricky aspect of spiritual development. 

This excerpt is from a Q&A session at a silent retreat in May 2021.
-----
The Monastic Academy is a training center dedicated to creating wise, powerful, and loving leaders who are an unstoppable force for social and environmental peace on Earth.
If you're interested in learning more, go to our website monasticacademy.org

We are accepting applications for 2 month-long apprenticeships. The training will provide you opportunities to dive deeply into mindfulness practice in community, working, and dedicated sitting periods. The apprenticeship is FREE with room and board provided.
Learn more here: www.monasticacademy.org/apprentice

How to Celebrate Success Without Ego - Q&A with Soryu Forall

What are you willing to do anything for? What is so precious that it's worth giving this life for it? 

These are the questions our teacher Soryu Forall urged us to answer for ourselves. In the last retreat before he leaves MAPLE for a few months, he reminded us in the most uncompromisingly honest way the dire need of truly answering with clarity.

This excerpt is from a talk that was given at a silent retreat in June 2021. 
-----
The Monastic Academy is a training center dedicated to creating wise, powerful, and loving leaders who are an unstoppable force for social and environmental peace on Earth.
If you're interested in learning more, go to our website monasticacademy.org

We are accepting applications for 2 month-long apprenticeships. The training will provide you opportunities to dive deeply into mindfulness practice in community, working, and dedicated sitting periods. The apprenticeship is FREE with room and board provided.
Learn more here: www.monasticacademy.org/apprentice

What Is Your Precious Life For? - Soryu Forall

In a recent Residency Ceremony, he led this beautiful 8 minute guided meditation where he speaks to how love is living a relationships in all directions. 
-----
The Monastic Academy is a training center dedicated to creating wise, powerful, and loving leaders who are an unstoppable force for social and environmental peace on Earth.
If you're interested in learning more, go to our website monasticacademy.org

We are accepting applications for 2 month-long apprenticeships. The training will provide you opportunities to dive deeply into mindfulness practice in community, working, and dedicated sitting periods. The apprenticeship is FREE with room and board provided.
Learn more here: www.monasticacademy.org/apprentice

Guided Meditation: Love is a Living Relationship in All Directions - Soryu Forall

The practice of mettā, a.k.a. loving-kindness or friendliness, can be powerful enough to take us to liberation from the suffering of the world. The heart that we can all learn to uncover is a place where we can see all as our friends, and rest even while the world unravels. 

This is from the Mettā Retreat Weekend in February 2022. It is Ryūshin's first dharma talk as a teacher during a silent retreat at MAPLE.
-----
The Monastic Academy is a training center dedicated to creating wise, powerful, and loving leaders who are an unstoppable force for social and environmental peace on Earth.
If you're interested in learning more, go to our website monasticacademy.org

We are accepting applications for 2 month-long apprenticeships. The training will provide you opportunities to dive deeply into mindfulness practice in community, working, and dedicated sitting periods. The apprenticeship is FREE with room and board provided.
Learn more here: www.monasticacademy.org/apprentice

Seeing All as Our Friends - Daniel Ryūshin Thorson

Soryu discusses goals, measurement, optimization, collaboration, and AI

Soryu Forall on goals, measurement, optimization, collaboration, and AI

From a series of exhortations by Soryu Forall leading up to Vesak

Towards The Buddhas Final Passing

Rahula Meets His Dad And The Creation Of The 4 - Fold Sangha

The Buddha Dealt With Many Things

210519 - The Buddha Lived In Integrity

210520 - The Bodhisattva Battles Mara Part 3

210520 - The Bodhisattva Battles Mara Part 2

210520 - The Bodhisattva Battles Mara Part 1

210518 - The Bodhisattva's Birth, Childhood, Disillusionment

Auto-Think Day Long Retreat

Shinzen Young - Day Long Retreat at CEDAR - August 19 2017 - Auto-Think - 1 Of 3

Soryu Forall discusses what is often contentious and controversial, especially within the context of spirituality, "Romantic Relationships as a Sacred Practice."

Sunday Sit - Romantic Relationships As A Sacred Practice - 3.04.2018

Audio from the Monastic Academy's August 2018 Retreat with Shinzen Young

Day 1 Group Process

Day 0 Orientation

Audio from a special mindfulness retreat with Shinzen Young, The Monastic Academy, and Bodhi Neurotech.

This was the 2nd retreat in 2018 with Shinzen Young at the Monastic Academy in Lowell, VT.

This retreat was perhaps the first ever public retreat offering Neuromodulation with tDCS devices via Bodhi Neurotech's Zendo E-Meditation systems and took place Nov 9-15, 2018.

Day 1 Group Process - 11.10.2018

Day 0 Intro - 11.09.2018

A talk on Loneliness and the importance of Community by Soryu Forall in Oakland, CA on June 20, 2019.

Soryu Loneliness Talk at OAK (Oakland, CA) 6.20.19

Soryu Forall led this guided meditation at the May 2020 silent retreat. In the previous guided meditation, "The Basics of Noting", we noted see, hear, and feel. In this one, he shows us how to note rest and flow as well.

-----

The Monastic Academy is a training center dedicated to creating wise, powerful, and loving leaders who are an unstoppable force for social and environmental peace on Earth. www.monasticacademy.com

We are accepting applications for 2-3 month-long apprenticeships. The training will provide you opportunities to dive deeply into mindfulness practice in community, working, and dedicated sitting periods. The apprenticeship is FREE with room and board provided.
Learn more here: www.monasticacademy.com/apprentice

See Hear Feel Rest Flow (Unified Mindfulness) - Guided Meditation - Soryu Forall

We tend to question the validity of texts such as the Avataṃsaka Sutra, that can be so unfamiliar that they seem meaningless. Yet we don't often question the world we live in, one largely made up by the human mind. It's a world where, for instance, nature is being turned relentlessly into money—the real turned into the imaginary. It can be hard to see clearly that we are giving up our power to this story of money. With even just one breath, we can cut through extraneous thinking and stories to be with what's real again.

This talk was given at a silent retreat in April 2019 on Easter. This is a time for the MAPLE community to focus exclusively on awakening. It references the First Stage in the Ten Stages from the Avataṃsaka Sutra, but knowing the text is not necessary.
-----
The Monastic Academy is a training center dedicated to creating wise, powerful, and loving leaders who are an unstoppable force for social and environmental peace on Earth.
If you're interested in learning more, go to our website monasticacademy.org

We are accepting applications for 2-3 month-long apprenticeships. The training will provide you opportunities to dive deeply into mindfulness practice in community, working, and dedicated sitting periods. The apprenticeship is FREE with room and board provided.
Learn more here: www.monasticacademy.org/apprentice

Real Or Imaginary? - Soryu Forall

While celebrating the Buddha's attainment of full liberation, it's helpful for our spiritual paths to recount the trials and tribulations he had encountered on his. It's helpful for us to remember that he was a real person like us.

This is part of a talk that was given at a silent retreat in May 2019. This is a time for the MAPLE community to focus exclusively on awakening.
-----
The Monastic Academy is a training center dedicated to creating wise, powerful, and loving leaders who are an unstoppable force for social and environmental peace on Earth.
If you're interested in learning more, go to our website monasticacademy.org

We are accepting applications for 2-3 month-long apprenticeships. The training will provide you opportunities to dive deeply into mindfulness practice in community, working, and dedicated sitting periods. The apprenticeship is FREE with room and board provided.
Learn more here: www.monasticacademy.org/apprentice

Three Stories from the Buddha's Path - Soryu Forall

Through a personal story involving a challenge to eat a dozen donuts, Soryu Forall shows how the stories we tell and the ways we talk to ourselves have an enormous impact on how we live. 

This is part of a talk that was given at a silent retreat in February 2019. This is a time for the MAPLE community to focus exclusively on awakening.
-----
The Monastic Academy is a training center dedicated to creating wise, powerful, and loving leaders who are an unstoppable force for social and environmental peace on Earth.
If you're interested in learning more, go to our website monasticacademy.org

We are accepting applications for 2-3 month-long apprenticeships. The training will provide you opportunities to dive deeply into mindfulness practice in community, working, and dedicated sitting periods. The apprenticeship is FREE with room and board provided.
Learn more here: www.monasticacademy.org/apprentice

We Live the Stories We Tell - Soryu Forall

How can we keep doing all this inner work that can be so challenging and confronting? Soryu Forall offers guidance and inspiration from the life of the great Chinese Zen master, Seppō (aka Xuefeng in Chinese), who was also one of the most hopeless cases in Zen history. 

This is part of a talk that was given at a silent retreat in December 2019. This is a time for the MAPLE community to focus exclusively on awakening.
-----
The Monastic Academy is a training center dedicated to creating wise, powerful, and loving leaders who are an unstoppable force for social and environmental peace on Earth.
If you're interested in learning more, go to our website monasticacademy.org

We are accepting applications for 2-3 month-long apprenticeships. The training will provide you opportunities to dive deeply into mindfulness practice in community, working, and dedicated sitting periods. The apprenticeship is FREE with room and board provided.
Learn more here: www.monasticacademy.org/apprentice

All You Need Is To Not Give Up - Soryu Forall

We may become so attached to certain patterns—conditioned ways of being—that we resist suggestions to change. Oftentimes we're pushed to change anyway by suffering, but sometimes, we may be pushed by love. Thus was the case for Khemā, who attained full awakening through the help of those who loved her. Though she herself had believed that she'd rather stick with the deluded love of patterns, it could not stand against the real love of liberation.

This is part of a talk that was given at a silent retreat in February 2020. This is a time for the MAPLE community to focus exclusively on awakening.
-----
The Monastic Academy is a training center dedicated to creating wise, powerful, and loving leaders who are an unstoppable force for social and environmental peace on Earth.
If you're interested in learning more, go to our website monasticacademy.org

We are accepting applications for 2-3 month-long apprenticeships. The training will provide you opportunities to dive deeply into mindfulness practice in community, working, and dedicated sitting periods. The apprenticeship is FREE with room and board provided.
Learn more here: www.monasticacademy.org/apprentice

Real Love Sets You Free - Soryu Forall

A Modern Monastery (Mindfulness & Leadership Training Center) in Lowell, Vermont https://www.monasticacademy.com/

Monastic Academy

Popular tracks