This dhamma talk, guided meditation, and questions and responses was offered on September 13, 2025 for “How do I apply the Dhamma to THIS!?!” 00:00 - GUIDED MEDITATION 16:54 - DHAMMA TALK 46:40 - Q&R

As the old myths of our civilization crumble, in their place, fear, division, and the architecture of fascism are rapidly rising. As the Jungian analyst Edward Edinger warned, when a central myth breaks down, meaning drains away, and primal, unprocessed forces rush in. How then do we understand this immense historic moment? We can take courage from the Buddha, who also lived in a world burning with greed, hatred, and delusion. He didn’t always succeed. Yet he still stood before armies, spoke truth, and acted with compassion. Even when outcomes are uncertain, we too are called, at this time, to step forward with clarity, compassion, and steadfastness.

As the old myths of our civilization crumble, in their place, fear, division, and the architecture of fascism are rapidly rising. As the Jungian analyst Edward Edinger warned, when a central myth breaks down, meaning drains away, and primal, unprocessed forces rush in. How then do we understand this immense historic moment? We can take courage from the Buddha, who also lived in a world burning with greed, hatred, and delusion. He didn’t always succeed. Yet he still stood before armies, spoke truth, and acted with compassion. Even when outcomes are uncertain, we too are called, at this time, to step forward with clarity, compassion, and steadfastness.

As the old myths of our civilization crumble, in their place, fear, division, and the architecture of fascism are rapidly rising. As the Jungian analyst Edward Edinger warned, when a central myth breaks down, meaning drains away, and primal, unprocessed forces rush in. How then do we understand this immense historic moment? We can take courage from the Buddha, who responded to a world burning from greed, hatred, and delusion with profound wisdom. Even when outcomes are uncertain, we too are called, at this time, to step forward with clarity, compassion, and steadfastness.

This talk, given on the opening night of a retreat for beginners, explores what mindfulness is, some science behind it, helpful attitudes for retreat, including patience and kindness, and ways of supporting yourself on retreat.

We are living through a profound pivot point. The old myths of our civilization–endless growth, rugged individualism, and “us first” hierarchies are crumbling. In their place, fear, division, and the architecture of fascism are rapidly rising. As the Jungian analyst Edward Edinger warned, when a central myth breaks down, meaning drains away, and primitive forces rush in. The Buddha also lived in a world burning with greed, hatred, and delusion. He challenged the systems of his time, endured attempts on his life, negotiated peace between warring factions, and even stood before armies bent on destruction. In the Sakka-pañha Sutta, when asked why beings who wish for peace end up in rivalry and violence, he pointed to the root: the mind entangled in papañca, the web of proliferating stories that harden separation. How then do we understand this immense historic moment? We can take courage from the Buddha. He didn’t always succeed. Even with his wisdom and compassion, he could not prevent the destruction of his own people. Yet he still stood before armies, still spoke truth, and still acted with courage. Even when outcomes are uncertain, we too are called, at this time, to step forward with clarity, compassion, and steadfastness. Together we will explore how to bring the medicine of the Dharma into this moment of profound challenge, not as escape, but as a path of right action, refuge, and renewal.