Dharma talks with Jaya Ashmore Jaya Ashmore

In this talk, the topic might somewhere be "generosity" and "interdependence" but we are led there through an underground fungal network beneath the forest floor and out through water flying out of the leaves of the trees. Led there joyously.

This talk, given during a silent retreat in North Carolina, in the United States, challenges listeners to know our lives as spiritual, and experience the unconscious not only as something dark, but light, wide and unaccountable. Ashmore's warmth, understanding and passion for transformative practice shine through her words.

In this talk, on processing big emotions, Ashmore calls upon the wisdom of the traditional village snake-handlers of India, along with contemporary poetry and ancient spiritual texts. With astute sensitivity, Ashmore makes room for the fear to see clearly, as well as our "snake-y alive wish to see clearly anyway." Her approach is imaginative, spontaneous, personal, yet universal, winding and also startlingly direct.

This talk is quite long and discusses some deep concepts but is well worth listening to until the end. In fact, it rewards repeated listening. Beginning with a discussion on the nature of Joy, the talk encourages us to maintain our practice even in the face of difficult emotions. Jaya maps a path through rocky terrain, suggesting we use the tools of Curiosity and Friendliness. This in turn might begin to feel like Courage and Joy, and that might ultimately lead one to an experience of non-duality.

Deep rest retreat, May 2006, Saskatchewan, Canada

Deep Rest Retreat, May 2011, Le Moulin, France