Understanding the Path of Practice

Plum Village Dharma teacher Karla Johnston addresses the "Noun" of Silence, asking, "What do we do when stillness is not accessible within ourselves?" In her concrete and authentic way, she shares an emergency protocol learned as a live-in volunteer at a wildlife center. It involves caring for ourselves (the injured baby bird showing up at the door) and becoming the hand that feeds others in need of support and care. The talk is bookended with two brief segments on practicing the "Noun" of Silence. This is the 4th of 4 talks given at The Anacortes Mindfulness Community’s 6-day retreat on The Joy of Silence, held at the Samish Island Retreat Center, October 16-21, 2026.

In this recording, Karla Johnston offers the story of Patachara, one of the most renowned female elders from the time of the Buddha, who shows us the practice of "Gathering the Mind" around Silence. Jonathan Prescott explores how silence may not, at first, feel welcome, especially if we’ve been silenced by oppression. But when we willingly embrace silence, it can become an empowerment, showing us that we are enough just as we are. We end with an Inquiry Practice that invites us look deeply into the ways our minds habitually separate us from the joy of silence.   This is the 3rd of 4 talks given at The Anacortes Mindfulness Community’s 6-day retreat on The Joy of Silence, held at the Samish Island Retreat Center, October 16-21, 2026.

In this talk, Jonathan Prescott and Karla Johnston share how they’ve each used Buddhist practice to touch the joy of silence. They invite us to join them in that peace by inquiring deeply into our own inherent wisdom. Tune in to discover practical ways to cultivate mindfulness, compassion, and resilience, even when our minds and schedules feel chaotic. This is the 2nd of 4 talks given at The Anacortes Mindfulness Community’s 6-day retreat on The Joy of Silence, held at the Samish Island Retreat Center, October 16-21, 2026. We had some technical difficulties with Karla’s mic. You can still hear her, but her voice isn’t as loud as Jonathan’s.

Jonathan Prescott explores silence as a verb: An action we take to silence our chaotic minds. He shows how we habitually create internal noise by telling and embellishing stories, then describes Zen practices designed to bring us back home to the joy of silence. This is the first of 4 talks given at The Anacortes Mindfulness Community’s 6-day retreat on The Joy of Silence, held at the Samish Island Retreat Center, October 16-21, 2026.

Jonathan Prescott invites us to receive the gifts left to us by our ancestors. One of those gifts is the story of the Dharmakaya Boat: A story that shows us the path of Buddhist practice. In telling this story, Jonathan encourages us to see that this isn't a story about someone else, somewhere else. It is the story of our own practice. Where are you in this journey of the Dharmakaya Boat?

In this talk, Jonathan examines the roots of our desire for certainty and how Zen practice can help us respond peacefully to uncertainty and change. Jonathan describes how a human brain that is wired to predict the future is at odds with our ever-changing world. He suggests how Zen practice can bring our brain into alignment with reality so that we can take effective action in this changing broken world.

How do we travel without adding to our planet's over-tourism burden? Jonathan Prescott shares insights from his recent month-long European walkabout. He shows how contemplative practice can make travel more meaningful for the traveler, as well as make us less of a burden on the places, people, and objects we interact with. This talk was given at the Guemes Island Community Church.

Jonathan Prescott offers a 4-step method for practicing Right Diligence. This talk caps The Anacortes Mindfulness Community's practice period, celebrating everyone's diligent efforts and inviting the Sangha to balance that effort with enjoyment and ease. The handout can be downloaded here: https://www.wisecaregiving.org/uploads/1/4/8/7/148725901/right_diligence_handout.pdf

Learning to rest in the arms of silence is a foundation for joyful living. In this talk, Jonathan Prescott helps you understand outer silence, inner silence, and the practice of silence. Knowing that silence can sometimes bring forward parts of ourselves we don't initially welcome, Jonathan shows us how to use the breath as a safe anchor. Enjoy!

Michael Daiun Melancon shows how practice forms create a field of happiness that supports personal and collective awakening. He encourages the Morning Light Sangha to cultivate awareness by using silence, bowing, Dharma Sharing, and more. Enjoy your tea!