A meditation on finding comfort in the simple goodness of this moment, followed by a talk about feeling alone with the task of being ok in the world, followed by a meditation to locate the comfort and care that reassures us that it's safe to let go.

This dhamma talk, guided meditation, comments, questions and responses was offered on 17 January, 2026 for “How do I apply the Dhamma to THIS!?!” 00:00 - GUIDED MEDITATION 19:37 - DHAMMA TALK 56:14 - COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & RESPONSES From January 4th to April 2nd 2026 the regularly scheduled Saturday morning program taught by Ayya Santussika, will take many of the suttas referenced in "Mindfully Facing Disease and Death" by Bhikkhu Anālayo as their basis. For those who want to dive deeply into this material, you may want to read the book as we discuss the suttas, listed below. Jan 10 SN 22.1 Nakula’s Father Chapter 2 Jan 17 SN 36.6 An Arrow Chapter 3 Jan 24 SN 22.88 With Assaji Chapter 10 Jan 31 SN 22.89 With Khemaka Chapter 11 Feb 7 AN 10.60 With Girimānanda Chapter 12 Feb 14 SN 3.22 Grandmother and SN 47.13 With Cunda Chapters 13 & 14 Feb 21 MN 143 Advice to Anāthapiṇḍika Chapter 16 Feb 28 SN 55.3 With Dīghāvu and SN 55.54 Sick Chapters 17 & 18 Mar 7 SN 36.7 The Infirmary (1st) Chapter 19 Mar 14 AN 6.56 With Phagguna Chapter 20 Mar 21 SN 35.74 Sick (1st) and SN 41.10 Seeing the Sick Chapters 21 & 22 Mar 28 DN 16.31, 34-36 The Buddha’s Last Words Chapter 23

Day 1 sitting instructions. Very short practice suitable for beginners emphasizing relaxed relationship to the objects of attention, balanced attitude, and how to set appropriate expectatioins about unintentional thinking during meditation.

Diana and Donald each speak for about 20 minutes. Diana focuses especially on relational metta practice in daily life, including with parenting. Donald speaks of the aspiration, as the great Tibetan teacher Shabkar, emphasizes, on having one’s life and practice be one. He then focuses on the different dimensions of individual metta practice in daily life. The two talks are followed by a period of discussion.

This talk explores the traditional benefits and scope of mettā practice, presenting loving-kindness as a force that steadies sleep, brightens the mind, supports concentration, and softens our relationships with human and non-human beings alike. Drawing on classical texts and modern teachers, it emphasizes beginning with what is possible—locating the goodwill already present and gently extending it outward. The practice culminates in the “all beings” category, cultivating an impartial heart free from indifference and ill will.

This talk explores how mettā supports freedom from the “second arrow” of mental reactivity. Drawing on vivid teachings from the Buddha, it shows that ill-will harms the one who holds it and that kindness is an aspirational training pointing to the limitless capacity of the heart. The path is framed through the Satipaṭṭhāna: purification of mind, the surmounting of sorrow, and the end of dukkha. Central is the role of vedanā—the pleasant, unpleasant, or neutral tone that conditions craving and resistance. Most suffering arises not from experience itself but from the mind’s rejection of what is here. Mettā becomes a relational posture toward life, saying “yes” to each moment and softening identification with pain. By noticing greed, aversion, and delusion, we transform them into generosity, love, and wisdom. The impartial heart learns to meet all experience with balance, discovering ease even amid difficulty.

Gently turning to someone challenging that we also appreciate.

Metta for the people we meet throughout the day.

It seems with every day of news, there is more uncertainty, deep concern and unease. As much as we would like to, we can't control reality. However, the great gift of practice is that we can choose how to skillfully relate to our experience. This is a time for our practice to hold us. Instead of reacting impulsively in ways that just contract us more or with actions we later regret, we can respond effectively with a wise heart. This talk discusses teachings and practices that help us make that wiser choice.

Short Reflection & Guided Meditation with a poem by Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer | Earthworm Practice for the Anthropocene III | Online Wednesday-Morning