The talk is framed in terms of compassion and equanimity being crucial qualities for our practice at the time of the polycrisis. After remembering some of the foundations of traditional practice, we review the nature of compassion, and how it develops in insight practice, and as a “heart practice” (one of the brahmavihara), both in more “inner” and more “outer” forms of practice. We then look at the main qualities of mature equanimity, including balance, evenness with what arises, unshakability, understanding, faith, responsiveness, and grounding in our deep nature. We also see how equanimity as a heart practice is deeply integrated with lovingkindness, compassion, and joy. The talk is followed by discussion, and then by the inviting of metta (lovingkindness) for others, closing intentions, and the dedication of merit.

The session starts with chanting of the refuges in the Buddha, Dhamma, and Sangha. Then the guided meditation begins with a brief overview of equanimity practice , followed by cultivating equanimity in both the development of concentration and mindfulness. This is followed by a brief compassion practice and then developing equanimity as a heart practice.

A description of how intentions lead to actions (cetana leads to kamma) and the importance of being mindful of this building block of reality. Guided meditation and further teachings at the end.

This dhamma talk, guided meditation, comments, questions and responses was offered on November 7th , 2026 for “How do I apply the Dhamma to THIS!?!” 00:00 - Requesting a Discourse 01:24 - DHAMMA TALK 24:25 - COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & RESPONSES 34:12 - Appreciation after the Discourse

The Buddha’s first noble truth names the hard facts of life (birth, aging, illness, death, separation from what we love), then says in brief: it all comes down to the five aggregates of clinging. In this talk we explore the difference between the givens we can’t avoid and the tangles we add, and how seeing the aggregates as “not mine” opens the way to freedom.

The practice of compassion can lead us to happiness, peace and freedom from suffering and its cause.

The practice of Mindfulness of Six Senses can help us to : prevent unskillfulness states of mind from arising, overcome Fetters and finally lead to Awakeninng.

Teachings on Satipatthana and guided RAIN meditation

Mid-term elections affect us all. It is appropriate to acknowledge what happened and process them together including some Dharma principles in the discussion.