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The greatest gift is the
gift of the teachings
 
Nikki Mirghafori's Dharma Talks
Nikki Mirghafori
Nikki is of Persian heritage, and was introduced to contemplative practices and yoga in the early 1980's, to meditation in 1991, and to Theravada Buddhism in 2003. She has studied with various Western and Eastern teachers, with a keen interest in intensive silent retreats. She studied jhanas and detailed analytical vipassana with the renowned meditation master Venerable Pa Auk Sayadaw who instructed her to teach. She is also a Spirit Rock authorized retreat teacher, a Stanford trained compassion cultivation instructor, and a UCLA certified mindfulness facilitator. She teaches Buddhist meditation and contemplation nationally, and in particular, at Spirit Rock Meditation Center and Insight Meditation Center in Redwood City, where she also serves on their Board of Directors. Nikki holds a Ph.D. in computer science from UC Berkeley and has had an active career as an Artificial Intelligence scientist in academia and industry for over two decades.
2018-05-08 Day 3 Morning Instructions: This could be my last breath (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 42:27
Guided meditation from the Maranasati Sutta.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Contemplating Death/Awakening to Life (Maranasati Retreat)
2018-05-07 Death: "This is Nature, This is Natural" (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 57:46
The first part of the talk, the hindrances (Nivarana in Pali), also translated as veils, are discussed through the lens of Maranasati practice. The second part of the talk is devoted to sharing lessons from my mother's recent passing.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Contemplating Death/Awakening to Life (Maranasati Retreat)
2018-05-06 Day 1 Morning Instructions: Settling in, noticing aliveness. (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 1:13:57
Settling in with the breath and body. Feeling the aliveness present in this moment.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Contemplating Death/Awakening to Life (Maranasati Retreat)
2017-10-08 Day 6 Morning Instructions: Deathbed visualization (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 57:39
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Maranasati: Contemplating Death / Awakening to Life
2017-10-07 Three Dimensions of Death Contemplation Practice (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 61:12
The three dimensions of death contemplation are discussed: 1) preparing for death (ours and others) 2) awakening to our precious human life, and 3) awakening/liberation.
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Maranasati: Contemplating Death / Awakening to Life
2017-10-06 Day 4 morning Instruction: This could be my last breath (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 51:12
Sit with Instructions AM
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Maranasati: Contemplating Death / Awakening to Life
2017-10-03 Day 1 morning instruction: Arriving in the body with breath (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 60:53
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Maranasati: Contemplating Death / Awakening to Life
2017-07-25 Tending Our Own Minds/Hearts, Caring for Others 35:40
Nikki Mirghafori gave the second talk in a speaker series titled "Living Wisely in the World: Caring for Mind, Family, Society, and Planet". Teachings from the "Acrobat Sutta" were shared to illustrate how tending our own mind is a stepping stone to care for others, and the world. The power of actions leading to habit formation in the mind and body, which could either lead to liberation or suffering, were also discussed.
Insight Meditation South Bay - Silicon Valley
In collection: Living Wisely in the World: Caring for Mind, Family, Society, and Planet
2017-07-18 Living Wisely in the World: Caring for Mind, Family, Society, and Planet 3:23:00
with Jennifer Dungan, Lisa Dale Miller, Nikki Mirghafori, Robert Cusick, Shaila Catherine
A famous verse in the Dhammapada states: “All experience is preceded by mind, led by mind, made by mind. Speak or act with a corrupted mind, and suffering follows, as the wagon wheel follows the hoof of the ox … Speak or act with a peaceful mind, and happiness follows, like a never-departing shadow.” This guest speaker series will explore the ways in which care for our minds leads to care for our families, societies and our planet.
Insight Meditation South Bay - Silicon Valley
2017-06-23 Day 4: Guided Metta: Circle of Benefactors (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 47:14
Spirit Rock Meditation Center Foundations of Mindfulness

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