Short Reflection on the '5th' Vipallasa & Guided Meditation including a poem by John Soos | Earthworm Practice for the Anthropocene IV | Online Wednesday-Morning
We begin with a brief introduction to the theme of this evening’s talk on the foundations of our practice—avoiding “unskillful” or “unwholesome” actions and states of mind (and knowing how to practice when they arise), on the one hand, and developing skillful or wholesome qualities, on the other. There is then a guided practice, linked with the talk theme, focused on developing (1) concentration (samadhi), (2) mindfulness (sati), and (3) awareness of reactivity, developed in part by noticing how we relate to what is moderately pleasant or unpleasant.
This dhamma talk, guided meditation, comments, questions and responses was offered on July 11, 2026 for “How do I apply the Dhamma to THIS!?!”
00:00 - GUIDED MEDITATION
27:02 - DHAMMA TALK
56:21 - COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & RESPONSES
Short Reflection on the 4th Vipallasa & Guided Meditation including a poem by Mary Oliver | Earthworm Practice for the Anthropocene IV | Online Wednesday-Morning
In the context of the basic instructions on developing first concentration (samadhi) and then mindfulness, we interweave guidance on emphasizing doing, or more active effort, and not-doing, including through opening more receptively, and some other short practices.
Further into the Brahma Viharas, talk about equanimity or Upekha, the two types of equanimity , how to cultivate the second one, given that the first one can only be achieved by cultivating all the Paramis. Then a short guided meditation based on the Tibetan Tonglem of bringing other's pain/suffering into our hearts to tranform them into light.
