Praktizieren bedeutet die erste Wahrheit des Buddhas, die Gegebenheit von dukkha, zu verstehen. Dukkha zieht Reaktivitäten nach sich, die weiteres Leid verursachen. Wir kreisen so endlos in dukkha, angeheizt durch die Reaktionen von Verlangen oder Abwehr, je nachdem ob das, was ist, angenehm oder unangenehm ist. Getrieben ist die Reaktivität von Täuschung, einer tief integrierten Verzerrung des Wahrgenommenen. Diese wollen erkennen, denn dann erkennen wir eine Möglichkeit, wie wir dem, was geschieht, in einer Weise begegnen können, die nicht zu weiterem Leiden, sondern zu Frieden führt.

This Dhamma talk, comments, questions and responses was offered on September 19, 2026 for “How do I apply the Dhamma to THIS!?!” 00:00 - DHAMMA TALK 32:22 - COMMENTS, QUESTIONS & RESPONSES

Short Reflection & Guided Meditation including a poem from the Sioux Nation | Earthworm Practice for the Anthropocene IV | Online Wednesday-Morning

We review the importance of giving attention to ethical practice, and how it has often been marginalized in Western Buddhism, with meditation typically being at the center (as is evident in speaking of “meditation centers” and “meditation groups”). Wise Speech, as one of the three aspects of ethical practice named in the Noble Eightfold Path, is particularly important in contemporary Western practice; we can have an opportunity for many hours a day of spiritual practice if we bring Wise Speech practice into our lives! The Buddha’s four guidelines for Wise Speech were truthfulness, helpfulness, care and kindness, and appropriateness (especially good timing). We focus, in this second talk on the first guideline of truthfulness, on how we understand and practice being truthful in our relational and social lives, with reference also to how truthfulness is understood in Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions. We see how truthfulness is crucial in communities and societies, what the consequences are of a lack of truthfulness, and how one dimension of our Wise Speech practice is helping to develop more truthfulness in our communities and societies. The talk is followed by discussion.

First, there are basic instructions in developing concentration offered, including the optional "three-part breath" technique which can help with avoiding controlling the breath and with developing more continuity. Then basic mindfulness instructions are given. The last minutes bring in reflection and inquiry questions related to our practice of wise speech, including the guideline of truthfulness, related to the talk that follows the guided practice. This is followed by discussion about different aspects of our practice.