Gil Fronsdal

Tricycle is pleased to offer the Tricycle Talks podcast for free. If you would like to support this offering, please consider donating. Thank you! Gil Fronsdal is a dharma teacher at the Insight Meditation Center in Redwood City, California,  and at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Woodacre. He has practiced extensively in the Soto Zen and Theravada Buddhist traditions, and he draws from both traditions in his framing of what he calls naturalistic Buddhism.

The Fool Night is long for one lying awake. Seven miles is long for one exhausted. Samsara is long for fools Ignorant of true Dharma. If, while on your way, You meet no one your equal or better, Steadily continue on your way alone. There is no fellowship with fools. A fool suffers, thinking, “I have children! I have wealth!” One’s self is not even one’s own. How then are children? How then is wealth? Fools conscious of their foolishness Are to that extent wise.

My body was tranquil and undisturbed, my mind concentrated and unified. —The Buddha MN 4.22 (i 21) Tranquility is both a gift of meditation practice and a support for deepening the practice. As a gift, it can be healing and confidence-producing. As a support, it provides a sense of well-being that nourishes concentration and mental harmony. Meditative tranquility is a compelling state that can involve feelings of peace, calm, serenity, contentment, and deep rest.