Ajahn Thanissaro defines samvega as “the oppressive sense of shock, dismay, and alienation that come with realizing the futility and meaninglessness of life as it's normally lived...and an anxious sense of urgency in trying to find a way out of the meaningless cycle.” In this talk, Tan Kaccāna reflects that when we recollect the drawbacks of our identification with what is born, gets sick, and dies, we can shed our fears of the future and cultivate the ability to reach out to others. He then offers ways to make samvega lead to energy rather than despair, including a contemplation of the ovadapatimokha – the Buddha's three simple steps that lead to joy of heart and stillness of mind. This talk was offered on August 26, 2016 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery.