A meditation, reflection, and (just the) responses to questions on the theme of breathing and thinking; and what playing with bodily fabrication reveals and opens about experience and freedom.

Q1 When I meditate my mind is calm I can hear the breathing but at the same time my mind is also thinking about outstanding matters. I can't seem to prevent the pressure or momentum to think about myself or unfinished tasks. What should I do? 34:32 Q2 How do we develop equanimity?

00:23 Q1 How do we define a real state of meditation? Is it merely focus and concentration? Should we do samatha first or vipassana or both combined? 23:39 Q2 During walking meditation do we still observe breathing at the nostrils or radiating metta? 28:17 Q3 Is it okay to use the mantra Budho for walking meditation and during daily life activities? 29:32 Q4 I have committed some mistakes in the past, one which lost me a dear old friend and another one which causes me huge embarrassment every time I think about it. I feel a huge degree of sense of remorse and given the opportunity I would not do it again. What can I do to overcome this?... [and] During meditation my emotions are triggered. Should I come back to the breath or feel the emotion in the body? 37:22 Q5 How can I note intentions especially during meal time? There are so many of them! 40:27 Q6 What's the rationale behind not reading during a retreat? 42:29 Q7 When a person we love is doing harmful things, not correct practice despite your advice, they don't listen, how do I practice dhamma to avoid disappointment and sadness. 44:19 Q8 When it's in meditation my head naturally tilts upward. At this point the connection between the spine and the neck clicks. How to avoid it?

This dhamma talk, guided meditation, questions and responses was offered on 13 December, 2025 for “How do I apply the Dhamma to THIS!?!” 00:00 - DHAMMA TALK 44:15 - GUIDED MEDITATION 01:12:10 - Q&R