Living with Integrity - Steven Tierney

In this talk, Steven Tierney emphasizes living with integrity as the core of Buddhist practice.

He helps us reflect on living a meaningful and compassionate practice that is responsive to our unique life situations while benefitting both ourselves and others.

Steven defines integrity as aligning thoughts, words, and actions with core values while living for the benefit of others.

• Integrity means wholeness and completeness, derived from Latin meaning "whole"
• Encourages self-reflection and internal alignment with personal values
• Moves us beyond intellectual understanding to embodied practice

Practical Applications

• Replacing to-do lists with "to-feel" lists (focusing on desired feelings rather than tasks)
• Reducing doom scrolling and social media consumption
• Practicing "We Care" - balancing self-care with caring for others

Buddhist Practice in Daily Life

• Emphasizing that Buddhist teachings should be verified through lived experience
• Promoting engaged Buddhism that flows from contemplative practice
• Living the Bodhisattva vows through everyday interactions

Key Concepts

• Upaya (skillful means) - teaching in multiple ways to reach different people
• Nimbleness of spirit - knowing when to speak up versus when to listen
• Being present and compassionate rather than getting overwhelmed by external events

Steven concludes by referencing the Buddha's belief in the innate nobility and compassion of all beings, suggesting that negative qualities are learned rather than inherent.

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Steven Tierney (Kai Po Koshin) is a Dharma transmitted teacher in the lineage of Suzuki Roshi. Steven has a new Sangha: Oceans Compassion Sangha and also practices with Gay Buddhist Fellowship, Meditation in Recovery at SFZC, Great Spirit Sangha, SFLGBTQA Sangha, and the Hartford Street Zen Center.

Steven believes that we can find wisdom, compassion and awakening wherever good people come together for practice, healing, service and joy. Dr. Tierney is a psychotherapist in private practice and Professor Emeritus in Counseling Psychology at CIIS.

He is a Certified Addiction Specialist and has been named a Diplomate in Clinical Mental Health by the American Mental Health Counselors Association. He is also a certified suicide prevention and intervention trainer, providing workshops, classes, and consultations. Steven can be reached at 415-235-1061 or [e-mail]

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CREDITS
Audio Engineer: George Hubbard
Producer: Tom Bruein
Music/Logo/Artwork: Derek Lassiter