We first hear from a member of the community about how he is experiencing and responding to what's happening in the larger society and world in our times. We then fairly briefly review last week's session, first identifying the three traditional areas of training--in wisdom, meditation, and ethics--and how each can be important resources for responding to what's happening in our own experience and in our society and world. We focus especially on reviewing our exploration of "ethical practice," responding in our everyday lives and in the larger society and world in caring and compassionate ways. We then explore the traditional figure of the bodhisattva as one who brings together deep commitments both to awakening and to helping others--helping others both in awakening and in terms of their life needs. We look at examples of bodhisattva vows from Theravada, Japanese Zen, and Vietnamese traditions, as well as from passages from Shantideva's "Guide to the Bodhisattva's Way of Life." We show images of archetypal bodhisattvas such as Avalokiteshvara, Tara, Kwan Yin, and Manjushri and discuss the ten ways of training of the Mahayana bodhisattva. We suggest a number of contemporary exemplars of the bodhisattva vocation, and invite participants to develop their own personalized bodhisattva vows. The talk is followed by discussion.

Metta is the quality of the heart/mind that wishes for the welfare, happiness and benefit of all sentient beings. Daily practice of Metta can reduce anger, aversion and lead to joy, happiness and concentration. All of which is very critical to the path of liberation.

Q1 [from an online participant] I bumped into some Jehovah's witnesses on a walk sometime and they asked me what do Buddhists believe. How would you answer this question? Q2 09:15 When I'm doing Qigong I feel a lot of heaviness in my feet and after a while pain. Is this normal? Q3 11:07 I enjoy solitude to limit sensory input and unnecessary chatter. Is there such a thing as too much solitude? Q4 29:47 can I please ask about how you start an end your days? Do you have intentions you set? Any specific recollections or practices? Do you practice mindfulness of sleep and dreams?

Mindful reflection along with one's virtues such as observing the 5 precepts can lead to joy, happiness and fuel the path to freedom.

This dhamma talk, guided meditation, comments, questions and responses was offered on 31st of January, 2026 for “How do I apply the Dhamma to THIS!?!” 00:00 - GUIDED MEDITATION 21:27 - DHAMMA TALK 58:47 - COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & RESPONSES

Q1 How do we release trauma, painful memories? Q2 22:27 During meditation how do you know when to deflect pain, when to change posture? Q3 27:04 How do you maintain unconditioned love while holding boundaries? Q4 34:12 How do we manage or minimize sexual energy? Q5 41:31 What skilful techniques can illuminate the process of nama?

Suggested Homework: 1. Daily meditation: 10-20 minutes. 2. As with last week, choose a routine activity and practice mindfulness whenever you do this activity. This week specifically focus on mindfulness of body while doing the activity. 3. Try eating a meal mindfully. Consider doing this once per day or a few times this week.

How can the dharma help us meet these deeply disturbing times?

When you share your metta and compassion, you become a beautiful piece of art yourself. The eleven benefits of metta meditation

This talk discusses the Buddha's words on holding to fixed views from The Paramatthaka Sutta (Sn 4.5) followed by an open Q&A. While the Buddha warned against attachment to views, some views are clearly aligned with the Dharma such as: causing harm will lead to suffering for oneself or another. How can we reconcile not holding to fixed views when you're clear that it is appropriate to take a strong stand against harm? After reflections on this topic there is a Q&A session on this theme and other practice questions are explored.

If things didn’t change, there would be no hope to become free. Those not trained in perceiving impermanence embrace it only as long as the change is pleasant. However, those trained in the Dharma experience the flow of change with equanimity. We recognize that it is the changes that cause us suffering that spark the most spiritual urgency for cultivating clear seeing, wisdom, and freedom. In this talk we will explore a discourse from the Buddha in which we are instructed how we can train in the perception of impermanence. Recognizing and understanding impermanence (anicca) brings the greatest happiness, which is peace.