This talk centers on the Dhammacakkapavattana Sutta (“Setting in Motion the Wheel of Dharma”), the Buddha’s first teaching after enlightenment. I explore how the Buddha addressed his five companions and introduce the Middle Way between two extremes. Also, I summarize the Buddha’s Four Noble Truths as practical insights for living nobly and compassionately. While suffering is unavoidable, we have agency in how we relate to it—learning to respond skillfully rather than reactively. The talk concludes with reflections on compassion as the heart of wisdom. I encourage self-compassion in the lifelong process of learning to relate well to suffering and extending that compassion to others.

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