The value of our harshest difficulties is how honestly they cause us to question, how they intensify our courage and bring alive our deepest inner purpose, how they reawaken our soul’s task on earth. In willingly facing the unknown, we offer trust in a greater purpose. And then we must venture wherever the road leads us, in spite of the dark, in spite of the quivering of our heart. Ultimately true strength meets the vulnerability of life with courage.

Group meditation in the Insight Buddhist tradition, includes a Sit, short Dhamma talk, and discussion & connection

In this meditation we are guided to discover the space and aliveness that fills the body, sense the space in the universe, and then to realize our Beingness as continuous space, filled with the light of awareness. When our attention contracts into thoughts, the pathway to awareness is a relaxing back, reopening to the natural openness, silence and stillness of our true nature.

The root of suffering is the pain of separation, the fears and loneliness that arise when we have forgotten our intrinsic belonging to each other and to all of life. These next two talks look at the epidemic of loneliness predating the pandemic, and how loneliness is exacerbated in our current global crisis for those living alone, and for those feeling disconnected to themselves and others. We then explore how a courageous practice of compassionate presence - with our inner life, and in relationships - can turn the energy of loneliness into a current of healing and freedom.

A short guided meditation orienting the body and heart-mind towards stillness, calm, and ease

Exploring the balancing qualities of samvega, spiritual urgency with pasada, quiet confidence or trust, as support for our capacity to look more fully at the truth of impermanence. Ends with an invitation to briefly contemplate our own mortality.