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.

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

Donald explores some of the main themes of his March retreat, connecting these themes to general aspects of our practice. He shares some images of the Spirit Rock land, a group of turkeys, his place of practice and altar in his room, and the bench where he twice a day carried out a kind of ritual "talking to" his parents, who are deceased. He focuses on themes of listening for what calls one in one's practice and his main practices during the retreat: concentration practice, metta practice, the Tibetan practice of tummo (the inner fire) and the life of Milarepa, and awakened awareness. He concludes by speaking of some ways of keeping the retreat going in daily life, and, in preparation for the appearance of the Garbanzo Bean, Donald's clown personality, some on humor and spiritual practice. There is then discussion, including an appearance by Guru Garbanzo Bean responding to some questions, and closing in which we remember and honor Cyndy Gagne, a sangha member who recently passed.

After getting a sense of those present and a self-introduction, there is a guided meditation. We start with a few words on posture and invite a short period to connect with what is alive in one's practice. Then there are instructions for developing samadhi (concentration), followed by several short periods of guidance to cultivate awareness of the energy of the body, to tap into a sense of happiness and perhaps joy, and then a sense of peace. There is then a short period of mindfulness followed by a few minutes of reflection on (1) what is "calling" now in one's life and practice, and (2) how best one can connect formal meditation and daily life.

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

This dhamma talk, guided meditation, comments, questions and responses was offered on March 28, 2026 for “How do I apply the Dhamma to THIS!?!” Also included at the end is a sharing of a document titled "Practices for Before, During and After Dying." The document was created by Ayya Santussikā and includes suggestions on how to prepare for when you are dying and what friends and relatives can do after you die. Please note this document is a work in progress where changes may be made. You can find the document located on the following webpage https://www.karunabv.org/winter-retre... 22:38 - Dhamma Talk (DN 16.31) 29:50 - Comments, Questions & Responses (DN 16.31) 33:56 - Dhamma Talk (DN 16.34) 59:31 - Comments, Questions & Responses (DN 16.34) 1:14:04 - Introduction & Overview of Document “Practices Before, During and After Dying” 1:24:07 - Comments, Questions & Responses on "Practices Before, During and After Dying" From January 4th to April 2nd 2026 the regularly scheduled Saturday morning program taught by Ayya Santussika, will take many of the suttas referenced in "Mindfully Facing Disease and Death" by Bhikkhu Anālayo as their basis. For those who want to dive deeply into this material, you may want to read the book as we discuss the suttas, listed below. Jan 10 SN 22.1 Nakula’s Father Chapter 2 Jan 17 SN 36.6 An Arrow Chapter 3 Jan 24 SN 22.88 With Assaji Chapter 10 Jan 31 SN 22.89 With Khemaka Chapter 11 Feb 7 AN 10.60 With Girimānanda Chapter 12 Feb 14 SN 3.22 Grandmother and SN 47.13 With Cunda Chapters 13 & 14 Feb 21 MN 143 Advice to Anāthapiṇḍika Chapter 16 Feb 28 SN 55.3 With Dīghāvu and SN 55.54 Sick Chapters 17 & 18 Mar 7 SN 36.7 The Infirmary (1st) Chapter 19 Mar 14 AN 6.56 With Phagguna Chapter 20 Mar 21 SN 35.74 Sick (1st) and SN 41.10 Seeing the Sick Chapters 21 & 22 Mar 28 DN 16.31, 34-36 The Buddha’s Last Words Chapter 23

Short Reflection & Guided Meditation with an poem by Rainer Maria Rilke | Earthworm Practice for the Anthropocene III | Online Wednesday-Morning

Guided meditation on gladdening the mind and seeing the good.

Short reflection and poem on how to recognize dukkha and its capacity to grow trust in the moment.

The Buddha's Upanisā Sutta offers one of his most quietly radical teachings: that liberation doesn't begin with getting comfortable, but with honestly meeting what hurts. Drawing on this "proximate cause" discourse from SN 12.23, this talk traces the transcendent sequence of dependent origination — from dukkha through faith, joy, tranquility, and insight, all the way to freedom. We'll explore what it means to stop treating difficulty as an obstacle to practice and start recognizing it as the practice's first gate — on the cushion, in daily life, and in our closest relationships.

Nicht-Selbst ist eines der drei Grundmerkmale aller Dinge und meint die Abwesenheit einer ewigen, unveränderlichen Seele (atman). Trotzdem entsteht das Gefühl eines Selbst durch den Prozess der Anhaftung an die fünf Daseinsgruppen. Der Vortrag erläutert die Daseinsgruppen und wie das Anhaften an ihnen zu Leiden führt.

A reflection on the citta’s migration through birth, aging, and the transition of death and how our skill in meeting the present moment matters. Seeing through the small story of me and mine and undoing unconscious patterns can transform our relationship to life and train us to meet the world with more wisdom and compassion.

This dhamma talk, guided meditation, comments, questions and responses was offered on 21st of March, 2026 for “How do I apply the Dhamma to THIS!?!” 00:00 - Guided Meditation 26:15 - DHAMMA TALK (SN 35 74 Sick1st) 42:56 - COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & RESPONSES 1 54:55 - DHAMMA TALK (SN 41 10 Seeing the Sick) 1:06:12 - COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & RESPONSES 2 From January 4th to April 2nd 2026 the regularly scheduled Saturday morning program taught by Ayya Santussika, will take many of the suttas referenced in "Mindfully Facing Disease and Death" by Bhikkhu Anālayo as their basis. For those who want to dive deeply into this material, you may want to read the book as we discuss the suttas, listed below. Jan 10 SN 22.1 Nakula’s Father Chapter 2 Jan 17 SN 36.6 An Arrow Chapter 3 Jan 24 SN 22.88 With Assaji Chapter 10 Jan 31 SN 22.89 With Khemaka Chapter 11 Feb 7 AN 10.60 With Girimānanda Chapter 12 Feb 14 SN 3.22 Grandmother and SN 47.13 With Cunda Chapters 13 & 14 Feb 21 MN 143 Advice to Anāthapiṇḍika Chapter 16 Feb 28 SN 55.3 With Dīghāvu and SN 55.54 Sick Chapters 17 & 18 Mar 7 SN 36.7 The Infirmary (1st) Chapter 19 Mar 14 AN 6.56 With Phagguna Chapter 20 Mar 21 SN 35.74 Sick (1st) and SN 41.10 Seeing the Sick Chapters 21 & 22 Mar 28 DN 16.31, 34-36 The Buddha’s Last Words Chapter 23

Exploration of Personality View, which can be seen through in the first stage of awakening, The sense of self arises and passes away, is not yours, and does not need to be clung to.

An exploration of the Buddha's teaching on the five aggregates

Exploration of Brahma Vihara of Equanimity or balance of mind. Guided practice and suggestion

A Dhamma perspective on how we got to where we are right now in the world, and how we might use the Brahma Viharas to meet these times with greater skill.

Reflections on the Paramis (Particularly Dana and Sila) as essential capacities for awakening as well as relating skillfully to oneself and thw world (AKA 'This Life') This talk references the song 'Go Easy Kid" by Monica Martin, Paradise Built in Hell by Rebecca Solnit and Am I Helping, Fixing or Serving? by Rachel Naomi Remen

A meditation, reflection, and (just the) responses to questions on the theme of a practice worthy of our lifetimes on this wide and wonderful Middle Way. How can we practice intentionally in relationship to the world we live in, the world we connect with through the news, and keep our aspirations not only alive, but effective?

The research on kindness shows that there are not only many benefits for one’s mental well-being, but also many positive benefits for one’s physical well-being.

When we loosen our grip on being someone — the creator, the author, the one who did that thing — something opens. This talk explores renunciation not as deprivation but as the doorway to creativity, purpose, and an open heart.

This dhamma talk, guided meditation, comments, questions and responses was offered on March 14, 2026 for “How do I apply the Dhamma to THIS!?!” 00:00 - WELCOME 01:09 - GUIDED MEDITATION 23:09 - DHAMMA TALK 47:31 - COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & RESPONSES From January 4th to April 2nd 2026 the regularly scheduled Saturday morning program taught by Ayya Santussika, will take many of the suttas referenced in "Mindfully Facing Disease and Death" by Bhikkhu Anālayo as their basis. For those who want to dive deeply into this material, you may want to read the book as we discuss the suttas, listed below. Jan 10 SN 22.1 Nakula’s Father Chapter 2 Jan 17 SN 36.6 An Arrow Chapter 3 Jan 24 SN 22.88 With Assaji Chapter 10 Jan 31 SN 22.89 With Khemaka Chapter 11 Feb 7 AN 10.60 With Girimānanda Chapter 12 Feb 14 SN 3.22 Grandmother and SN 47.13 With Cunda Chapters 13 & 14 Feb 21 MN 143 Advice to Anāthapiṇḍika Chapter 16 Feb 28 SN 55.3 With Dīghāvu and SN 55.54 Sick Chapters 17 & 18 Mar 7 SN 36.7 The Infirmary (1st) Chapter 19 Mar 14 AN 6.56 With Phagguna Chapter 20 Mar 21 SN 35.74 Sick (1st) and SN 41.10 Seeing the Sick Chapters 21 & 22 Mar 28 DN 16.31, 34-36 The Buddha’s Last Words Chapter 23