Tea with Mara

Dharma talk and meditation on MN20, the Vitakkasanthana Sutta, where we talk about five ways the Buddha recommended to work with unwholesome thoughts during meditation. I hope this is useful for your practice in some way!

The title suggests this talk was political, but really it isn't, I promise. It is however about the Gopaka Moggallana Sutta (MN 108) and urges us to practice for our own wisdom and compassion, and points to the idea that if we live by these things, this practice, then we know what to look for and expect from whomever we might vote for as a leader. So it's not political, but it is definitely about encouraging leaders. I hope you'll enjoy.

When the times are a'changin, we have to be able to practice letting go. It happens all day in a thousand ways, but some things are bigger and more challenging. This Dharma talk and meditation is intended to help with those big moments. I hope you find it helpful.

Dharma talk and meditation on the topic of blame and what a burden it is in our hearts and minds, and how we can work to let go of it. I hope this talk is helpful for you!

This Two Hands Sangha Dharma talk on Allowing, Gratitude, and Equanimity - all of which are wholesome actions, or Karma - is about remembering to lean our heart in the direction we want it to move when things don't go the way we'd like. Life handed me some good opportunities for practice this week, and my practice showed up beautifully, which led to this discussion. I hope you'll enjoy!

Dharma Talk and Meditation on cultivating Wise View, Discernment particularly in the Information Age to help us cut through the noise of all the information we're endlessly assaulted with to get to the humanity and compassion and kindness we all need so badly in this world. I hope you'll enjoy!

Dharma talk and meditation on The Buddha as a doctor prescribing the cure for our suffering. This talk drew upon the book by Bhikkhu Bodhi "Heartwood of the Bodhi Tree", and I hope you'll find it useful. Enjoy!

Dharma Talk from Two Hands Sangha on July 28th, 2024 about the root teaching of the Dhamma, Dukkha and the cessation of Dukkha. Working from the Simsapa Sutta and Bhikkhu Buddhadāsa's opening from his book Heartwood of the Bodhi Tree. This talk is a reminder of how we can always check what we are learning against what the Buddha was teaching to help ourselves stay grounded in "Samana Gotama's Dhamma". Enjoy!

Dharma talk and meditation on frustration and how we work with that from a dharma perspective. Expectations, clinging to expectations, karma, letting go, and more. A lot going on in those unmet expectations! Enjoy!

Dharma Talk and Meditation on taking the time for retreat whether with community or even on our own, and how it can be useful to our practice and our lives in general. I hope you enjoy this one!