For many, wishing well and extending metta to others can come relatively naturally. The hard part is not sending out love, but letting it in. This is one of the most supportive practices for counteracting self-judgment and developing kindness and metta for ourselves. This talk will explore this topic and practice together.

The theme of this Sunday talk: Right effort, cultivating the skillful, and abandoning the unskillful. Luang Por reflects on right effort, and effort as a skill, rather than wholesome and un-wholesome, as it is sometimes referred to. Everything that arises, is natural, even a "murderous impulse". But whether we follow and cultivate it, is what is important. When the skillful is cultivated, we experience benefit for ourselves, and others, when the unskillful is followed and cultivated, it leads to harm, for ourselves and others. The practice of right effort then, lies, in first recognising fully, and discerning what is arising, and secondly, knowing how to follow the skillful, and abandon the unskillful.

This meditation, dhamma talk, comments, questions and responses was offered on September 12, 2026 for “Eastbay Dhamma” 00:00 - 5 PRECEPTS 07:12 - MEDITATION 27:50 - SUTTA STUDY AND DISCUSSION Sutta link: https://suttacentral.net/dhp179-196/en/buddharakkhita?lang=en&reference=none&highlight=false

This guided meditation, dhamma talk, comments, questions and responses was offered on the 12th of September, 2026 for “How do I apply the Dhamma to THIS!?!” 00:00:19 - GUIDED MEDITATION 0:17:22 - DHAMMA TALK 0:59:24 - COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & RESPONSES

In a Sunday Dhamma talk at Parayana Vihara, Ayya Anandabodhi explains how taking refuge in the Three Jewels and practicing ethical conduct creates the causes for happiness.

Lovingkindness is not simply about being gentle, pleasant, or nice. Through personal stories and reflections on the Buddha’s teachings, this talk explores the fierce, protective power of mettā—a love that stands up to harm, stays present through difficulty, and becomes a courageous commitment to ourselves and the world.

Short Reflection & Guided Meditation including a poem from the Sioux Nation | Earthworm Practice for the Anthropocene IV | Online Wednesday-Morning

This Dhamma talk, comments, questions and responses was offered on September 19, 2026 for “How do I apply the Dhamma to THIS!?!” 00:00 - DHAMMA TALK 32:22 - COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & RESPONSES

In a Sunday Dhamma talk at Parayana Vihara, Ayya Anandabodhi discussing skillful ways to respond when life doesn’t unfold according to our wishes or plans.

Anatta, or non-self, is a core teaching of the Buddha, and yet can be confusing and bewildering. Sometimes the sense of self loves trying to get rid of itself, all the while maintaining itself on subtle levels. Yet, anatta is our true nature, and we release and relax into non-separation and unity. Qualities of compassion and the heart often support this understanding more than our intellect. This talk will explore anatta from a practical and experiential perspective.