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.

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!?!”

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