A reflection on the Buddha’s teaching of gradual practice, emphasizing patience and trust in the slow unfolding of the path.

Short Reflection & Guided Meditation | Earthworm Practice for the Anthropocene III | Online Wednesday-Morning

Situation Crafting in the social science of creating conditions that bring out the best in a group and/or an individual. One could see the teachings of the Buddha as elegant situation crafting with the aim of creating conditions that gradually led to awakening. Through meditation, contemplative inquiry, study, and reflection, we’ll explore how the teaching of spiritual friendship is a brilliant form of situation crafting that liberates the heart.

The Dhammapada is the most well-known collection of the Buddha's words. Consisting of 26 chapters in 423 verses, it contains pith teachings from discourses that are found throughout the Pali Canon. This talk explores some verses that are relevant in these times.

This dhamma talk, guided meditation, comments, questions and responses was offered on 4th of April, 2026 for “How do I apply the Dhamma to THIS!?!” 00:43 - Guided Meditation 28:09 - DHAMMA TALK 57:28 - COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & RESPONSES

Two questions about worry: Q1 Anxiety creeps in and brings imbalance and I fail to immediately recognize the signs. What can you advise? Q2 [continues] When sitting I go through the worry of being a failed mother of a grown-up child. Aversion, and craving how I'd like to see things different. I'm trying to be with these thoughts rather than in them. The inner tyrant exaggerates the situation. How do I deal with the worry? 16:47 Q3 Please explain about, and in what way, consciousness is an element. I've heard Ajahn Sumedho say it is an element. 30:34 Q4 Relationships are complicated and painful. However as my "don't take your life personally" practice goes on, it seems people around me can present problematic relationships. Another one: I've been experiencing feelings of being a misfit. Your speaking about personality as a "me bag" was illuminating and a release from taking it personally. But if I withdraw from others, I meet my inner critic and get berated for not fitting in. So I'm lost either way! Q5 38:03 I've become aware of a familiar feeling of being trapped as a result of my work situation. I can feel it and yet feel at ease at the same time. This was deeply heartening. Q5 41:02 Sometimes when you are talking there's a sharp nasal blowing sound. What's happening? It's quite jolting to the nerves as I'm listening. Also I noticed that you often laugh when things are distressing? What is this about? I don't mean to be respectful.

Ajahn Viradhammo reflects on the "foreground" and "background" idea that he often speaks about. The background is the awareness, and the foreground is the objects that arise and cease in awareness. When those objects are unpleasant or pleasant to we become obsessed by them, and "become" them. Or can we stay as the background watching phenomena arise and cease?