This dhamma talk, guided meditation, comments, questions and responses was offered on 17 January, 2026 for “How do I apply the Dhamma to THIS!?!” 00:00 - GUIDED MEDITATION 19:37 - DHAMMA TALK 56:14 - 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

This talk explores the traditional benefits and scope of mettā practice, presenting loving-kindness as a force that steadies sleep, brightens the mind, supports concentration, and softens our relationships with human and non-human beings alike. Drawing on classical texts and modern teachers, it emphasizes beginning with what is possible—locating the goodwill already present and gently extending it outward. The practice culminates in the “all beings” category, cultivating an impartial heart free from indifference and ill will.

Short Reflection & Guided Meditation with a poem by Rosemerry Wahtola Trommer | Earthworm Practice for the Anthropocene III | Online Wednesday-Morning

This guided session explores multiple ways to send metta to self: From a benefactor, through our body, to different times in our life, and to aspects of ourselves.

Instructions and Guided Meditation in Open Awareness as a practice we do naturally, when we spend time connecting with nature externally.

This talk explores karuṇā as the heart that meets suffering with kindness and the sincere wish for its relief, without attachment to outcome. Compassion is not kind behavior but a wholesome state of mind from which wise action naturally flows. The talk distinguishes karuṇā from empathy: affective empathy can lead to exhaustion by taking on others’ pain, while compassion is “feeling for,” supported by warmth and equanimity. Rather than merging with suffering, we attune to the care already present within it. Karuṇā is a brahmavihāra—abundant, immeasurable, and energizing—capable of meeting personal and global pain with clarity and agency. Practical guidance is offered: begin with manageable suffering, pair compassion with balance, use simple phrases, and end with spaciousness for all beings.

This short talk and guided practice introduces us to "dry metta", the metta practice which is focused on intention building and changing our inner narrative. It invites us to repeat simple phrases without any intention or need to feel the quality of metta. It's a lovely simple way to practice that takes the pressure off metta!

Simple listening - finding fluidity, depth and strength.

Vedana is explored as a significant freedom moment which can help us see clinging.