We tend to orchestrate our lives so as to secure predictable outcomes. As a result we end up enclosed in artificial scenarios. The alternative, which sets us free, is to trust the unknown.

Introducing the Brahmaviharas. Fundamental nature of everyone is to be good. Misconceptions of Metta (Friendliness). Importance of friendliness in meditation practice. How to and how not to practice metta or friendliness. Guided meditation instructions.

A discussion of the Fall 2013 issue of the Buddhist journal, Inquiring Mind, The God Issue.

Differences between Eastern and Western teaching traditions. Importance of a Dhamma talk to your practice. How to perceive the practice. Why and how one needs to practice. Stories about Munindraji. The quest for enlightenment of the seven practitioners on the rock.

Astronomy, biology and the cultivation of wonder.

Part of incarnating is to feel separate and forget the mysterious oneness that is our home. This talk explores the two dimensions of awareness that when awakened reveal the openness, lucidity and love that expresses our true nature.

After reviewing why and how we focus on transforming the different inter-related forms of ignorance - personal, social and spiritual - we focus on ten steps in transforming personal ignorance.

About identity and evolution.

Becoming, the previous link in Dependent Origination, is not continuous; it moves from birth to birth to birth as the necessary conditions come together that foster its arising. It is useful to get a sense of the birthing experience of self and what the conditions are that bring this about. Instead of trying to catch your origin, which is a little like trying to observe the first moment after your mind wanders, get a sense of how you inflate, relative to the strength and intensity of the thoughts you have. Notice in times of relative quiet how the egoic sense of you is markedly diminished, and at times of reactivity or heightened enthusiasm, the sense of you is large and noisy. Don't explain this away by saying that "you" became noisy and self-righteous because you care about the issue. Take the personal out of the observation and just notice your relative size as a phenomenon related to the noise of your thoughts and emotions. As this increases, so does that; as this diminishes, so does that. Now contemplate this question: how does the noise of your inflation move in accordance with desire and clinging?

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Sharing of merit to all beings and using the five precepts as a foundation for practicing Dhamma daily life.

How to practice mindfulness & use practice slogans specifically to work with anger...

A reflection and exploration of greed and the downsides of making what is pleasant our primary concern