Human connection brings an inherent amount of suffering with it, so how do we cultivate equanimity in interpersonal relationships? In this talk, Matthew Brensilver reflects on the deep human need for belonging. Yet an unavoidable tension arises because no person or relationship can fully satisfy craving or end suffering. He explains that understanding this unsatisfactoriness helps us realistically approach relationships without expecting them to be perfect refuges. Instead, we learn to welcom...
As practitioners, how can we respond when things fall apart? Larry Robinson invites us to find refuge and stability amid chaotic and uncertain times by leaning into the core Buddhist teachings and practices. He frames our current historical moment as a “dark age” where things seem to fall apart, but reminds us that history moves in cycles and renewal always follows. Larry highlights the importance of taking refuge in the Three Jewels—the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha—and cultivatin...
How can we transform suffering and self-centeredness into compassion and wakefulness? In this talk, Gary Ost explores a practical path to emotional freedom and authentic connection -- something that he developed on his personal journey into Tibetan Buddhism, especially through the Shambhala Lojong teachings and Tonglen. He shares how he discovered and embraced practices that cultivate compassion and wakefulness, and explains the often misunderstood aspects of Tibetan Buddhism—like mantr...
How can we simplify our life and our mind amid today’s overwhelming digital distractions and misinformation? Here David Lewis explores the timeless relevance of Buddhist teachings in our modern, often chaotic world. He begins by reflecting on how suffering ushers many people toward the dharma, yet his own initial curiosity was about the nature of reality and truth, which he found deeply resonant in Buddhism’s investigative spirit. David highlights the Buddha’s emphasis on self-reliance ...
Renunciation is sometimes misunderstood as involving dramatic sacrifices or rejecting the world. In this talk, Danadasa emphasizes that it’s actually about creating spaciousness in the heart and mind for deeper clarity and connection. It’s less about deprivation and more about redirecting our energy toward something more meaningful and peaceful. He shares how, in the Buddhist path, renunciation helps loosen the grip of craving and habit energy, making space for genuine freedom. He describes h...
What does it mean to live with an undefended heart? Here Mary Stancavage’s explores the profound practice of living what she has been investigating for years. She begins by acknowledging that we all build emotional armor as a response to pain and suffering, often unconsciously, to protect ourselves from further hurt. This armor manifests as fixed views, fear, judgment, perfectionism, and numbing behaviors, which ultimately isolate us and prevent authentic connection. Mary emphasizes that this...
Michaiel Patrick Bovenes invites us on a spiritual journey to reconnect with our “Capital S” Self — the soul’s eternal essence — instead of staying trapped in ego-driven identities shaped by society. He explains that true spirituality isn’t about rituals or rigid beliefs, but about cultivating an authentic, living relationship with the divine energy that flows through us, around us, and beyond us. By integrating our inner masculine (willpower, clarity) and feminine (feeling, imagination) ener...
How can our Buddhist practice make a difference in the face of all the challenges of the modern world? Drawing on his decades of experience as a teacher, activist, and meditator, Donald Rothberg issues an urgent call to integrate the deepest aspects of Buddhist practice with the pressing needs of our time. By uniting meditation, ethics, emotional work, joy, and conscious action, he maps out a path that combines inner development with outward action. The Five Themes of Practice Donald structur...
How do the works of Shakespeare echo the teachings of the Buddha? In this heartfelt talk, Matthew Perifano reflects on the transformative power of language as he intertwines his lifelong love of Shakespeare with his journey through Buddhism and the AIDS epidemic. He begins by framing the dharma as more than just teachings—truth, practice, and a deep refuge—and connects it to the power of Shakespearean language. Matthew highlights how Shakespeare can evoke profound emotional resonance, citing ...
What role does grief play in our understanding of impermanence? Dave Richo opens with the foundational Buddhist concept of impermanence, reminding us that everything—relationships, beliefs, identities—changes and ends. Drawing on teachings from Zen master Dogen, Dave shares how impermanence is not a flaw but actually embodies our Buddha nature. In this light, change becomes not just acceptable but sacred. Dogen's view that “the very impermanence of all things is Buddha nature” grounds D...
How might we meet the realities of cruelty and injustice with a grounded and compassionate Buddhist perspective? Ian Challis suggests that we first acknowledge that witnessing or experiencing cruelty can generate intense emotional responses—anger, grief, fear—and that these reactions are natural. However, Ian encourages us to avoid being overwhelmed or reactive. Instead, he suggests grounding ourselves in awareness and intention, recognizing that our own suffering in the face of cruelty is an...
How does a Buddhist make use of the aphorism "Let go and let God?" Liên Shutt shares a deeply personal and reflective talk centered around the phrase "Let Go and Let God," inspired by a cross-stitch left by her adoptive mother. Drawing from both her Buddhist and Christian influences, Liên explores how this phrase bridges her upbringing with her Zen practice. She reflects on the pain and insight of not resonating with Christianity while appreciating how her mother's deep faith comforted her. L...
How can we use our body to reconnect with the present moment? John Martin gently guides us into the practice of returning to the body as a doorway to presence. He shares how disconnection from the body often means disconnection from our hearts, leading to mind-wandering or emotional reactivity. He reminds us of the Buddha’s wisdom—that the body is a precious opportunity for awakening—and emphasizes the importance of repeatedly coming back with kindness, not judgment. John shares a powerful in...
Even when we see uncertainty and injustice all around us, can we navigate our life with grace and resilience? Daigan Gaither emphasizes that our suffering and confusion are not barriers to practice but the very ground of it. He reflects on how to stay grounded and compassionate during turbulent and overwhelming times, drawing from his personal experiences and Buddhist teachings. He reminds us that practice doesn't mean escaping chaos—it means being present with it. By noticing our feelings, t...
Rather than constantly trying to escape discomfort, can we engage with suffering as a gateway to insight and connection? In this talk, JD Doyle helps us turn directly toward the ever-present reality of suffering in our lives. Drawing from Joy Harjo’s poetry and personal anecdotes, JD invites us to reflect on how we orient ourselves in a world that often feels destabilizing. They compare the cycle of samsara to bumper cars at an amusement park, where we continually crash into each other throug...
How large of a force is shame in shaping the behaviors we see in society and ourselves? In this talk, René Rivera gently but powerfully guides us through the terrain of shame, drawing from personal experience, restorative justice work, and Buddhist teachings. He names shame as one of the five primary human emotions and explores how it subtly drives fear, anger, and avoidance. René relates how shame shows up intensely in work with people who’ve experienced or caused sexual harm and how f...
How can we bring mindful awareness to our patterns of subtle dissatisfaction that are also a form of Dukkha? Here, Vimalasara delves into the Buddhist concept of dukkha (suffering), exploring how our habitual reactions to both pleasant and unpleasant experiences can entangle us in cycles of suffering. She emphasizes that dukkha isn't just about overt pain but also includes our resistance to life's impermanence and unpredictability. Vimalasara suggests we can begin to untangle them, fost...
In his talk on dukkha (suffering), Sean Feit Oakes delves into the heart of Buddhist teachings, exploring how our habitual reactions to both pleasant and unpleasant experiences can entangle us in cycles of suffering. He emphasizes that dukkha isn't just about overt pain but also includes the subtle dissatisfaction that arises from our resistance to life's impermanence and unpredictability. By bringing mindful awareness to these patterns, Sean suggests we can begin to untangle them, fost...
David Lewis offers gentle guidance on navigating life's inevitable challenges. He emphasizes that suffering, or dukkha, is a fundamental aspect of human existence, but our response to it can transform our experience. David encourages embracing difficulties as opportunities for growth, suggesting that by meeting adversity with mindfulness and compassion, we can cultivate resilience and inner peace. David outlines practical steps to shift our perspective during tough times: Acknowledge the Re...
How can we approach our spiritual journey with wholehearted attention day after day? Steven Tierney emphasizes that every aspect of our lives—no matter how mundane—holds the potential for awakening when met with sincerity and care. Drawing from his experiences within the LGBTQIA+ community and his work in recovery, Steven illustrates how integrating mindfulness into daily activities can transform them into profound opportunities for growth and connection. Steven offers practical guidance to ...