This talk explores the Buddha’s life after his awakening, his first teachings, and the wisdom he shared near the end of his life.

Practice can sometimes feel complicated with so many different techniques and instructions on how to extricate oneself from identifying with our experience. Using approaches from Tibetan Dzogchen and other non-dual teachings this talks explores the profound simplicity of letting go of all trying as a way to come back to our true nature.

Dhammapada Verses 129-145 Violence The text can be found here: https://suttacentral.now/dhp129-145 Look for Ācāriya Buddharakkhita version.

This dhamma talk, guided meditation, comments, questions and responses was offered on the 9th of May , 2026 for “How do I apply the Dhamma to THIS!?!”

Drawing on the legend of the Buddha touching the earth and the Barre town motto that named her retreat center, Sharon Salzberg explores viriya — the pāramī of energy, effort, and courageous application. This talk examines how right effort lives in the middle way between strain and indolence, how the integration of inner and outer work makes the dharma real, and how we claim our own right to aspire to freedom.

Questions are précised: Q1 Sometimes it's difficult to know what the right thing to do is. Or perhaps doubt arises when the moment has passed and you think maybe I misunderstood or I misinterpreted. Q2 05:49 How do we resolve things that in the heart remain unresolved, unfulfilled for a long time, even over generations and continue to unsettle us? Q3 13:00 You said earlier that thoughts don't have an endpoint. The image that came to my mind was scrolling on a phone. Could you talk a little more about that? Q4 21:31 Could you explore the process of resolution. Is there something that I can do to integrate the energies? Q5 25:57 I want to ask about clinging and letting go. How is the clinging happening? What is the difference between repressing/ pushing away and letting go?