In a recent episode of the Insight Myanmar podcast Ven. Bhikkhu Bodhi spoke about four areas that Western Buddhists should should work on for a flourishing of the dharma. Mary describes the four domains and reflects in further detail about how it would look unfolding in our own lives.

Recorded Dec. 20, 2025 in the virtual world

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Using an article by Sayadaw U Tejaniya as a jumping off point, Mary discusses what being mindful all the time might look like in our lives, and how do we practice being present for whatever shows up. Being present is the key to liberation and is necessary even in the most mundane of situations. It takes effort, but the freedom is worth it.

Recorded Dec. 11, 2025 in the virtual world

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The saying that life teaches you how to live it is so aligned with Buddhism's invitation to be present in each moment for whatever is at hand. Mary reflects on this topic and the wisdom of being present for our lives.

Recorded Dec. 6, 2025 in the virtual world

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Reflecting on the invitation to "live as though the truth were true," Mary examines this through the Buddhist lens of being fully present with reality. So often we're in opposition to the 'truth' or reality because it differs from our wants or desires. The Buddha's teachings offer a way to align ourselves with reality and indeed, live as though the truth were true. A path of liberation.

Recorded Nov. 29, 2025 in the virtual world

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November is often thought of as a month to give thanks, but the cultivation of gratitude is a practice that benefits us throughout the year. Gratitude is a heart practice that expands our awareness and connection to ourselves and others. Through it we learn to release negative conditioning and cultivate a wise heart. Making gratitude integral to our lives lets us be present for all things, and see the beneficial where we have missed it before.

Recorded Nov. 22, 2025 in the virtual world

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In this talk Mary emphasized the importance of being connected to our body and the wisdom it contains. When we live in our heads, we can get stuck in views and perceptions and we miss out on the experience of the moment. The Buddha said that the world is in this fathom-long body, not just in our heads. Being connected allows us to live with a wise heart.

Recorded Nov. 15, 2025 in the virtual world

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We are all experiencing an onslaught of information and it can be challenging to keep up. The fact is, we cannot keep up and the invitation to pause in practice is important. Mary discusses what gets in our way and how to find a path to equanimity among all the chatter.

Recorded Nov. 8, 2025 in the virtual world

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Our reactivity to situations often takes over and determines how we feel and act. However, if we can pause before reacting, we may have a very different experience. In this talk Mary discusses how we need to recognize how nothing in our reaction will change the situation, but how our reactions will impact our level of dukkha.

Recorded Nov. 1, 2025 in the virtual world

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Reflecting on the Parami of Truthfulness, Mary investigates what gets in the way and keeps us removed from reality and not seeing the world clearly. We are invited to reflect on being honest with the world and, what is sometimes even more difficult, being honest with ourselves. There is freedom in truth.

Recorded Oct. 19, 2025 at Insight Community of the Desert

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In this talk Mary reflects on the idea of emptiness which can be thought of as an absence of attachment to self or I, Me and Mine. This freedom can seem elusive, but we can recognize it in our daily lives as we work on letting go.

Recorded Oct. 9, 2025 in the virtual world

After Buddhism by Stephen Batchelor

Pay Attention, for Goodness' Sake by Sylvia Boorstein

Send me a text with any questions or comments! Include your name and email if you would like a response - it's not included automatically. Thanks.

Visit Mary's website for more info on classes and teachings.