Ajahn Viradhammo, contemplates, the means we have to attain fulfilment. He reflects, on Generosity, as means, living an ethical life, via the precepts, and finally on "Humility". Humility here as a that which is free from the sense of me and mine, or Ahankara Mimankara. Acknowledging the uncomfortable/unpleasant, but residing in the sense of the background, the awareness, that is always here, always present and unchanging.

"giving. generosity. care. giver, receiver, gift. view, intention, action. beginning again as we enter into the flow and container of retreat. this is the opening talk for the retreat titled: Rooted in Presence: A Natural Path of Insight and Belonging"

A main way to understand generally our practice is by seeing it as combining (1) avoiding “unskillful” or “unwholesome” actions and states of mind (and knowing how to practice when they arise), and (2) developing skillful or wholesome qualities. We explore different aspects of this way of seeing our practice: Understanding its relationship to the teaching on wise effort; seeing the core unskillful quality as reactivity (dukkha) in its two forms as grasping after the pleasant and pushing away the unpleasant, each in myriad ways; and developing positive qualities like concentration, mindfulness, kindness and compassion, generosity and the other paramis, and the Seven Factors of Awakening. We examine some of the complexities of practicing with reactivity, with a main one being that reactivity is often enmeshed with discernment; I can be judgmental and caught in reactivity, for example, as an activist who sees injustice clearly, with discernment. This calls therefore for transforming the reactivity, so we can make use of the discernment skillfully. We also look into some examples of both forms of practice, both in meditation and in the flow of daily life. The talk is followed by discussion.

Reflections on carrying retreat practice into daily life through gentle mindfulness, the Three Refuges, the precepts, generosity, and connection with Sangha. The talk offers practical ways to sustain practice at home while exploring how lineage and community can nourish and support the path.

Drawing in the Buddhist teaching of dependent co-arising, this talk explores what it means to belong to a living world

Finding joy in everything good: generosity, kindness, letting go, virtuous behavior. Seeing how the qualities of generosity lay the groundwork for awakening and show up in that process as well. Cultivating mudita, appreciative joy, for the good in ourselves, in others, and goodness wherever we find it.

These recollections from the Buddha help to lift up the heart, remind us of our goodness and give us encouragement on the path. The recollections are of the qualities of the Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha. And then, recollections on one's own moral conduct (sila), generosity, and the qualities of the devas that caused them to become devas that we ourselves also possess.