Tea with Mara

"The Ground Upon Which I Stand" is a Dharma talk offered at Two Hands Sangha on the topic of taking a close look at where we are, and beginning to make small changes in our lives that will incline us in the direction we want to move. After last week's Intention Setting Ceremony this was a way of recognizing where we are and how to get where we wish to be; how we implement the changes to see those intentions materialize. I hope you enjoy!

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“Hero Protagonist” is a brief Dharma talk and guided meditation on agency, aspiration, and what it means to consciously participate in our own lives. Using the simple lens of storytelling and the story arc of the "hero", we explore what brought us to the practice, what truly matters to us, and what’s at stake when we live on autopilot. I hope you find something useful in this talk. Enjoy!

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"2025 NYEEEE Intention Setting Ceremony" is our Two Hands Sangha Intention Setting Ceremony. We came together, discussed the meaning and value of intention, and following this talk the group lit candles to set their intentions for the new year, followed by taking Refuge and Precepts for those who wished to. It was a beautiful evening of fellowship. Hope we see you in the new year! Have a safe and Happy New Year! Welcome 2026!

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“Chasing Paper Airplanes” is a Dharma talk offered at Two Hands Sangha during Christmas week, exploring the pressure to feel how we think we’re “supposed” to feel. We look at why forcing joy, gratitude, or positivity can actually increase suffering, and how the practice invites us to stop chasing old stories, let feelings land, and meet this moment with honesty and care. There is no correct emotional response to December, only the opportunity to be present with what’s true. I hope it offers some relief. Enjoy!

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“A Wider View of Mindfulness” is a Dharma talk and brief guided meditation in which we explore mindfulness as the Buddha taught it: an inward knowing of experience that helps us see clearly, respond wisely, and reduce suffering. Grounded in the Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta, this is a gentle widening of the lens, building on commonly held ideas about what Mindfulness is, inspired by the MindfulnessVR Community Discord conversation on the topic. I hope you’ll find a broader view of mindfulness herein, and that you enjoy the exploration! 

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“The Unbearable Weight of Massive Bob” is a Dharma talk offered at Two Hands Sangha on the Eight Worldly Winds; those shifting conditions of gain/loss, praise/blame, pleasure/pain, status/disgrace that blow through every human life. Using pendulums, turbulence, Miley Cyrus, Rilke, and some honest reflection, we explore how to rise in altitude, soften instead of shatter, and meet change with humor, flexibility, and equanimity. If you’re feeling blown around by life, this one might help you breathe again. Enjoy!

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“Gratitude Balancing Rage” is a Dharma talk and brief guided meditation on how the heart can widen even in moments when it feels tight, hot, and reactive. We explore why rage contracts our world down to a single point and how gratitude gently expands it again. We cover a lot, including some practical ways to bring gratitude into real-time moments of anger without bypassing or pretending. Enjoy!

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"Despite All My Rage" is a Dharma talk offered at Two Hands Sangha about the fire we feel when we’re hurt, unseen, or misunderstood, and the cage we end up building around our own hearts. We explore what the Buddha taught about anger, why revenge never brings real freedom, and how we can reclaim our power by tending to the wound beneath the rage. If you’ve ever felt trapped in your anger…or exhausted by fighting battles that never seem to change anything…this talk is for you. Enjoy!

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"More Ferris, Less Cameron" is a Dharma talk and brief guided meditation on the topic of strong fixed views, and the pain and suffering that holding those can introduce to our lives. We dive into the subtle ways our beliefs hold us tight, and how compassion and curiosity can set us free. In a nutshell, we hold our views, but our strong fixed views hold us in a clenched fist. I hope you'll find something in this one that helps your life in some way. Enjoy!

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“Empire of Noble Silence”  is a Dharma talk offered at Two Hands Sangha that looks at how Christopher Ruocchio’s wonderful book Empire of Silence unexpectedly echoes one of the oldest Dharma stories we have; the prince who leaves the palace and finally sees the world as it is. Hadrian’s journey reminds us that awakening begins the moment we step outside our own comfort and truly see. The dharma can be found everywhere we look with the eyes of wisdom, and good fiction can open that door…Ruocchio does it beautifully. I hope that I have represented his work well h...

"A Gentle Strength" is a Dharma talk offered at Two Hands Sangha exploring what it really means to stay grounded and clear when emotions run high, especially when we feel protective of the people we love. Gentleness isn’t weakness. It’s steady, courageous presence. And it’s a strength we can all cultivate, one breath at a time. I hope you'll find this talk useful. Enjoy!

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“Nothing Truly Disappears” is a Dharma talk and brief guided meditation about loss. How we meet it, how we hold it, and how we continue on with love instead of collapse. We looked at the Buddha comforting his father at the end of his life and how presence, compassion, and the simple truth of continuation eased his fears, and how those same teachings can help us when grief touches our lives. Loss hurts because love was real. And because love was real…nothing is ever truly lost. We can have joy alongside (not in place of) sadness. This is a very...

"Intruder Alert!" is a Dharma talk offered at Two Hands Sangha about intrusive thoughts. Those strange, sudden, unwanted flashes the mind throws at us that can feel scary, shameful, or completely out of character. The Buddha understood this long before psychology named it. These thoughts aren’t signs of who we are, they’re simply impermanent, conditioned events that come and go on their own. When we meet them with awareness, curiosity, and compassion instead of fear, they lose their power. I hope you find this useful. Enjoy!

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"Preparing For The Holidays" is a Dharma talk and very brief meditation offered in MindfulnessVR on the topic of how we can start preparing ourselves now for the many ways that the holiday season can challenge us, so that we are not reacting, but responding skillfully. Seasonal Affective Disorder, family gatherings, and loneliness are just a few of the ways we get triggered in the season, but it doesn't have to be that way and The Buddha gave us the tools to meet those challenges. We had technical difficulties which didn't affect the recording, but also had some funny...

"The Dharma of Delayed Gratification" is a Dharma talk offered at Two Hands Sangha that explores what happens when our desire for instant pleasure replaces our patience for lasting peace. We’ll look at why the fast way is actually the long way, how craving disguises itself as progress, and how to rediscover the slow joy of contentment that doesn’t need constant feeding. I hope this will help your life in some way. Enjoy!

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"Read The Room" is a Dharma talk and brief guided meditation offered for the MindfulnessVR community in VRChat. It's also a sort of love letter to the Buddha and to the Bookish community. A shameless mashup of the two worlds I spend nearly every waking moment immersed in. I was thinking about mood readers in the bookish community the other day and I decided that this was a way I could relate Upaya-Kosalla (Skillful Means) to people in a relatable way. So I hope you will find some fun and joy in this talk and perhaps indulge me a...

“Turning Toward Winter” is a Dharma talk offered at Two Hands Sangha about how, as the world cools and slows, we’re reminded that not every season is for blooming. This talk looks at what it means to practice winter, to rest without guilt, to honor darkness as teacher, and to tend the small lamp of wisdom that burns steady through change. We’ll explore the Buddha’s teaching on balance, effort, and community warmth and how to keep your light alive, as well as how to share it when the nights grow long.

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“The Demon God” is a surprise bonus Spooky Season Dharma talk about the so-called “Demon God Mara” from Buddhism. We all have our demons. The Demon God is a story about the night the Buddha faced his. Māra the demon god, (SPOILER ALERT) was his own mind! The mind that is filled with fear, craving, and doubt. It’s about the great battle that led to awakening, and the quiet truth that awareness is stronger than the storms of our mind. It’s about facing our doubting mind, and transforming that relationship from fear based to compassion. I hope you enjo...

“Slayer To Saint” is the last of our Spooky Season Dharma talks! We explore the story of Aṅgulimāla the man born “Harmless” who became feared as a serial killer, and then found his way back to harmlessness again. It’s a story of fear, obedience, and transformation. Of how a good student can lose his way trying to please the wrong teacher. And how even the most violent karma can ripen into peace when met with wisdom. This year, we looked at every part of his journey from his parents’ fears and his teacher’s betrayal to the Buddha’s comp...

“Nothing To Fear” is a spooky season Dharma Talk on death. Most of us grow up thinking cemeteries are scary places full of ghosts, reminders of loss, and stories we’d rather not face. But the Buddha taught that when we look closely, what we find is honesty. When we truly understand impermanence, fear transforms into peace. We stop clinging to what we can’t keep, and stop fearing what we can’t avoid, and see death clearly, we learn how to live fully. I hope you find some comfort and wisdom in this talk. Enjoy!

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“The Spookiest of All Ghosts” isn’t about haunted houses or things that go bump in the night. It’s about the restless hungers that haunt our own hearts and minds. The cravings, habits, and addictions that whisper “just one more.” Drawing on the Buddha’s teachings and Dr. Gabor Maté’s In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts, we explored how to face those inner ghosts with compassion, not fear. And how to feed them wisely with mindfulness, connection, and love. I hope you enjoy the talk!

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"Outing Our Inner Demons" is a Dharma talk and brief guided meditation on working with our less appealing, or shadow side aspects. It's not so hard to work with our good bits, but sometimes we push away and resist facing our darker side. This talk is all about how we can transform those fiendish imps into useful tools and teachers. A bit of Spooky Season fun with a serious topic! I hope you enjoy and find value in this talk!

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“Ghosts of the Mind” is a dharma talk offered at Two Hands Sangha to get in the spirit of Spooky Season!; the perfect time to talk about fear. Not the kind in haunted houses, but the kind that lives in our heads. The Buddha knew that most of the ghosts that haunt us come from the stories our minds tell when we don’t see clearly. The rope we mistake for a snake. The fear that turns a quiet night into something sinister. The thoughts that rattle like ghosts until we shine the light of mindfulness on them. When we see...

“There You Are” is about the wandering mind, the doubts and distractions that convince us we “can’t meditate”, and why none of that has to stop us. Meditation isn’t about sitting perfectly still or holding perfect focus. It’s about learning to meet the mind with patience, and gently return… again and again. Every return is the practice. Every return is progress. Every return is enough. I hope you'll find some value in this talk. Enjoy!

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"Stop, See, Soften, Serve" is a Dharma talk and brief guided meditation about Wise Action. Actions tend to be greater than words, and this week’s talk is about making the Dharma visible through what we do. We explored Wise Action’s three threads of non-harming, not taking what isn’t freely given, and honoring intimacy and consent as well as how they braid with Wise Speech to make our lives safer to be around. The practice is simple: Stop. See. Soften. Serve. This talk seemed very timely for our group, and I hope you find it useful in your l...

"Wise and Free" is a Dharma talk offered at Two Hands Sangha on the topic of Wise Speech. We often celebrate the idea of free speech (the right to say what we want, when we want). But the Buddha taught something deeper: wise speech.

Wise speech isn’t about restriction, it’s about freedom. The kind that comes from words that heal instead of harm, and which connect instead of divide.

This talk explores how our words can bind us in regret or set us free in compassion. Just because speech is free doesn’t mean it’...

"Pumpkinheads" is a Dharma talk and short guided meditation inspired by my daughter’s first job at a pumpkin patch and a graphic novel we read together to celebrate, PumpkinHeads. The story brought to mind what’s sometimes called the Vipassanā Romance.; that tendency we all have to create elaborate stories in our minds about people and situations long before we know the truth. We believe these stories, and when reality doesn’t match, we suffer the disappointment.

This talk explores why the mind does this, how it causes trouble, and how practice can help us see more clear...

"All I Wanted Was A Pepsi" is a Dharma talk and brief guided meditation about respecting and honoring our parents, even when we don't always agree with our parents. It's about how we can always practice respect, gratitude, and compassion. The Buddha taught that even if we carried our parents on our shoulders for a hundred years, we could never fully repay them. What he asked instead was that we repay them through patience, love, and wisdom. Honoring our parents doesn’t mean silencing ourselves, nor does it mean letting go of our integrity. It means walking the Middle Wa...

"Don't Fear The Reaping" is a Dharma talk and brief guided meditation on the topic of karma. Karma isn’t punishment, reward, or judgment. It’s simply the seeds we plant with our intentions, words, and actions. The Buddha taught: “Whatever seed is sown, that is the fruit that will be reaped.”  We only need to pay attention to what we’re planting in this moment. Hope this is helpful. Enjoy!

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“Bend, Not Break” is a dharma talk offered at Two Hands Sangha on the topic of resilience in troubling times. We explored how true resilience isn’t about hardening ourselves or pretending to be untouchable, but about staying flexible, grounded, and compassionate in the middle of life’s storms. We also talked about the role of community and everyday kindness in keeping one another steady, so no one has to walk alone. Enjoy!

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“A Noble Mind” is a Dharma talk offered at Two Hands Sangha on Mudita. True joy doesn’t shrink when shared, it multiplies. This talk explores mudita  (Appreciative Joy), the practice of rejoicing in the happiness of others, and how it transforms envy into connection and the ordinary into the noble. I hope this will be useful in your life. Enjoy!

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“Leaning Into Personality” is a Dharma talk and brief guided meditation on the “Buddhist Personality Types”. In the Visuddhimagga, six temperaments are described; ways our minds naturally lean. Some tilt toward craving, some toward irritation, some toward confusion, and others toward faith, wisdom, or creative reflection. The point isn’t to label ourselves, but to notice our tendencies and then meet them with the right practice. I hope this light hearted and fun exploration will be of some service to you. Enjoy!

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"Sukha Loops and Shoops" is a Dharma talk and brief guided meditation on Sukha, and how we can create beneficial feedback loops that lead to and perpetuate it, as well as how to make the shift (when we are caught in "Dukkha Loops") over to "Sukha Loops" using what I call the Sukha Shoop. The words may sound ridiculous because I am, but I promise it will all make sense! The Buddha often spoke about dukkha—suffering, dissatisfaction, the rough ride of life. But he also pointed us to sukha—ease, well-being, the smooth ride that’s possible when the whee...

“The Uplift Mofo Party Plan” is a plan based on a band, a band based on a plan. But...it's also a Dharma talk offered at Two Hands Sangha that explores what the Buddha had to say about inspiration. Not the “hang in there” poster kind, but the living rhythm of pasāda (faith, confidence) and veda (joy, uplift). We’ll look at how these two qualities work together to carry us out of boredom, through the hindrances, and onto the path of freedom. Listen in, and see how even the smallest spark of faith can lead to joy, and how joy...

“The Agony and The Irony” is a Dharma talk and brief guided meditation about boredom. We treat boredom like an enemy to avoid, filling every spare moment with noise, screens, and distraction. But the Buddha gave us tools to work with it, and even learn from it. In this talk, we explore boredom as both a mirror and a teacher, using six simple steps. Enjoy!

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“Patience As A Strength” is a Dharma talk at Two Hands Sangha reflecting on how we think of patience, and often picture just waiting something out, gritting our teeth until it’s over. But in the Dhamma, patience is an active quality.  It is strength. It is choosing to meet each moment without grasping at what we want it to be or pushing away what it is. We explore three realms of patience and look at how the Buddha taught it as “the highest austerity” 

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"33,600 Turbo Miles, Due Up!" is a Dharma talk that looks at what it means to stay on the path when nothing is going according to plan, and it isn't always a straight line. Inspired by the hardworking construction workers renovating my house, and a splash of Daffy Duck’s absurd map to Planet X, we reflect on wise effort, shifting conditions, and the importance of building a life with flexibility, structure, and forgiveness. Enjoy!

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“Confidently Traversing Uncertainty” is a Dharma talk at Two Hands Sangha on August 3rd, 2025 about what we do when we don’t know what to do? This talk explores how we navigate life’s forks in the road by cultivating confidence in our ability to meet the unknown with steadiness, presence, and care. We talk about how uncertainty isn’t the enemy, how trust in the Dharma becomes our compass, and how mindfulness can help us take the next step even when we can’t see the whole path. This one’s for anyone feeling stuck, overwhelmed, or facing a big decision...

“Personal Responsibility” is a Dharma talk and brief guided meditation about reclaiming your power, not through blame or perfectionism, but through wise, compassionate participation in your own life. It explores how the Buddha framed responsibility as a path to freedom. When we stop waiting for others to change, we can begin asking “What’s  the most skillful thing I can do?” This talk also looks at the relational side of responsibility, how the way we carry our pain can either ricochet harm or create space for healing. Enjoy!

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"Four More Things" is the closing talk in our Dharma series that started with exploring our inherent worth, built refuge, and walked the Eightfold Path…Now we zoom out to the bigger picture…the Four Noble Truths. Framed through tech support, equalizers, and a little humor, this talk unpacks the human condition, the causes of suffering, the possibility of freedom, and the path forward. It also includes a brief guided meditation. Enjoy!

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"Onward And Upward" is the next installment in a series of Dharma talks exploring how this practice of the Dhamma can help us see our value and express it. This installment brings us to the Samādhi section (Wise Effort, Wise Mindfulness, and Wise Concentration) and dives into how these qualities support and sustain the entire path of practice. Rather than treating this as an ending, we reflect on how every return to the path is a new beginning, spiraling upward with greater clarity, steadiness, and compassion each time around. I hope this gives you something you need. Enjoy!

“Shake It Up Baby!” is a Dharma talk and brief guided meditation that explores the Sīla section of the Eightfold Path (Wise Speech, Wise Action, and Wise Livelihood) and how ethical living becomes a radical act of belonging.

We ask the question: How do I live like it matters that I’m here? And then we shake up our habits, voices, and our choices! This is a continuation of the series we’ve been doing for a few weeks now.

There’s a little Ferris Bueller. A little heart. A lot of integrity. And a whole lot...

"Achievement Unlocked!" is the first in a three-part Dharma talk series on the Noble Eightfold Path, focusing on the paññā section (Wise View and Wise Intention). We explore what it means to step onto the path from a foundation of refuge, how to see clearly, and how to aim the heart. If you’ve ever felt like spiritual practice is a video game you’re still learning the rules to…this one’s for you. I hope you enjoy it!

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"A Safe Place To Return To" is a Dharma talk and brief guided meditation on the topic of refuge. Not as a place we hide, but as a direction we choose again and again. It builds on last week’s talk, “I’m So Glad You’re Here,” and offers the next step in practice: once we stop questioning our worth, we can begin to root into something steady, trustworthy, and true. I hope this brings you peace and strength. Full talk and meditation available on the Tea With Mara podcast. Link in bio.

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“I’m So Glad You’re Here” is a Dharma talk offered at Two Hands Sangha on July 6, 2025. It’s a talk for anyone who has ever felt like they didn’t belong, or like they weren’t enough, or that the world might be better off without them. It’s a dharma based reminder that being human is rare, precious, and powerful. And that you ARE enough, just as you are. That you don’t need to earn your place here. That worth isn’t something you prove, it’s something you are. I hope this talk offers something nourishing t...

"Happy Interdependence Day!" is a dharma talk and brief guided meditation on the topic of true freedom. Not the freedom typically thought of on July 4th in America, but the kind of freedom for all people everywhere, that is available if they want to know it for themselves. The freedom that is found through liberating ourselves from greed, hatred, and delusion. I hope this will be useful and that you enjoy!

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"Early Morning Sunshine" is a Dharma talk inspired by Chapter 35 of Old Path White Clouds. It centers on a small but powerful moment where the Buddha speaks about prayer—not to dismiss it, but to remind us that intention alone isn’t enough. This talk explores the value of Wise Action and how our deepest hopes and prayers can become real through what we do next. Offered at Two Hands Sangha, I hope it gives you something useful. Enjoy!

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"Racing Ahead To Meet Suffering" is a Dharma talk and guided meditation about the habit so many of us fall into of racing ahead to meet pain that hasn’t even happened yet. I was inspired by a TikTok from Dr. Emily Anhalt, where she shares the best advice she’s ever received which lines up perfectly with the Buddha’s teachings. It really struck me and stayed with me this week. I hope it stays with you, too. Enjoy!

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"The Gift That Frees" is a Dharma talk offered at Two Hands Sangha on the topic of generosity. It might not seem like it at first but this is related to all the talks recently which have been about meeting the times we are living in. Generosity is the Dhamma. I hope this talk will give you something you need. Enjoy!

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"Unshaken, Sorrowless, Dustless" is a dharma talk and brief guided meditation on the topic of FEAR. The world can feel scary any time, but if the world today has you feeling fear more often or more intensely, this talk will hopefully help. Please give it a listen and I hope you find it useful. Enjoy!

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“Seven Good Qualities” is a Dharma talk and brief guided meditation inspired by a moment in the Pali Canon where the Buddha responds to a rising authoritarian ruler—not with politics or condemnation—but by calmly highlighting the seven qualities that allow a nation to thrive. This isn’t about left or right—it’s about wise or unwise. Ethical or harmful. Healing or dividing. May this be useful and unnecessary! Enjoy!

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“Give Me Three Steps” is a Dharma talk on radical equality, karmic physics, and the three practical steps the Buddha offers for turning compassion into action: see clearly, guard the mind, act wisely. We trace this wisdom from an empty alms bowl in ancient Kapilavatthu all the way to our news feeds today—asking how each of us can plant better seeds right where we stand. Listen in, then drop a comment: Which door will you stop skipping this week? I hope the talk brings steadiness and heart. Enjoy! 

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"Nothing Else Matters" is a Dharma talk and brief guided meditation inspired by my recent experience at the Metallica 72 Seasons Tour concert. It's really, at its core, about found family, and sangha. It's about being good to people and focusing on our commonalities rather than our differences. The show was spectacular, and brought several dreams true for me, so I hope this talk will give a little something back to you. Enjoy!

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"Beauty And Beasts" is a Dharma talk offered at Two Hands Sangha about breaking free from the prisons we create in our own minds. Whether it’s the story of Ambapali’s transformation or the characters in Sinners, the message is the same: true freedom comes from within. In this talk, I dive into the Buddha’s teachings on liberation, exploring how mindfulness and discernment can help us transcend the mental prisons of attachment, fear, and desire. We reflect on how we can unlock the doors to our own release and experience the true freedom of the heart and mind. I...

"Beautifully Broken" is a Dharma talk and a short guided meditation on impermanence, non‑clinging, and mindful appreciation sparked by Ajahn Chah’s famous broken‑glass teaching and sprinkled with a dash of Mary Oliver's brilliance! We’ll look at why knowing something is already on its way to changing can make it shine even brighter right now, and how that inner shift ripples out into a kinder world. Hope this brings a little freedom and a lot of gratitude. Enjoy!

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“You Can't See Me” is a Dharma talk on labels, lineage, and letting compassion lead. We read Chapter 32 "The Finger Is Not The Moon" from Thich Nhat Hanh's Old Path White Clouds. I hope you find something useful in this one and of course, I hope you enjoy it!

“Get Into Wise Trouble” is a Dharma talk and guided meditation on courageous, compassionate action. Inspired by a moment in Babel by R.F. Kuang, and grounded in the words of the late Congressman John Lewis—this talk explores the Buddhist path of standing up, speaking out, and disturbing harm with love. We talk about what wise trouble really looks like, how the Buddha and Thich Nhat Hanh modeled it, and how we can act from clarity instead of fear—even when the stakes feel high. This one’s for anyone who’s ever wondered if Buddhists are supposed to stay silent in...

"The Motherly Heart" is a Dharma Talk and brief guided meditation in honor of Mother's Day, that talks about the full spectrum of motherly love, and explores the difficulties that many experience on this holiday and how our practice can transform that suffering. I hope you will find value in this offering. Enjoy!

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"You Can't Take It With You" is a Dharma talk and brief guided meditation on clinging/craving. Specifically inspired by a story in the news this week about the auction of "Buddha's Jewels" at Sotheby's Hong Kong. The story is packed with dharma questions, but what struck me is what was missing. In this talk we get into it. I would love to see your comment below on what you thought about the story of these jewels. I hope this is somehow helpful for you! Enjoy!

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"The Dharma of Star Wars" is my annual May 4th Star Wars Day Dharma talk offered at Two Hands Sangha. We had BB-8 rolling around and chattering during our silent meditation space while sitting for this one, we discussed many correlations between the Dharma and Star Wars, informed by Matthew Bortolin's excellent dharma book and my own nerdery (and my bad voice acting). And if you were present for the talk in Sangha, you should know I added some more today in honor of May 5th (Revenge of the Fifth). Enjoy!

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"Take Five and Breathe" is a dharma talk on the unique timing signature of life. We want life to be in 4/4 time, but life is a jazz musician, and will throw in 5/4 time whenever it gets the urge. Luckily the Buddha taught us to flow with whatever quirky timing life threw at us. This talk invokes everything from Dave Brubeck to Sleep Token, from Tron Legacy to The Little John Beecher Orchestra and more, all in the name of helping us handle the vicissitudes of life a little better. I hope you enjoy this talk in honor of International...

"A Quiet Place to Practice" is a Dharma talk offered at Two Hands Sangha on Chapter 30 of Old Path White Clouds, discussing the five precepts for lay-practitioners, and a story from the Jataka Tales. Primarily this talk points at how the first four precepts provide us with a quiet place (our mind) to practice, and how the fifth precept supports those like a foundation for that place. I hope you'll find something beneficial to your practice here. Enjoy!

"We Listen And We Don't Judge" is a Dharma Talk and brief guided meditation that looks at how we can show up and support people when they are grieving or scared of losing a loved one. We talk often about death, and about fear of it, but I wanted to talk about how to support someone when they are the ones facing it. May you find something of value in this.

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"Water Rises Fire Burns" is a Dharma talk from Two Hands Sangha exploring the themes of Chapters 26 and 27 from Old Path White Clouds. This talk follows the transformation of Kassapa, a fire-worshipping ascetic whose meeting with the Buddha shifts his path entirely. We reflect on the power of presence, the fire of craving and ignorance, and the steady stream of insight that can rise within us all. This also marks the point that the Sangha grew from 50+ to 500+! I hope you'll find value in this! Enjoy!

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"Karma and Coffee" is a Dharma talk and guided meditation exploring how the Dharma shows up in the most unexpected places—like a "Cozy Fantasy" novel (called "Legends & Lattes" by Travis Baldree) about a coffee shop run by an orc. We reflect on wise livelihood, karma, equanimity, and the power of choosing peace over conflict, all through the lens of a surprisingly insightful little story. It’s about how the Dharma is always brewing—right under our noses, in every act of kindness, every small decision, every moment we choose to live with intention. Enjoy!

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“The Sangha Grows” is a little different from our usual episodes—this one is actually two in one. In our local sangha, we’ve been exploring the Buddha’s life after his awakening, drawing primarily from Thich Nhat Hanh’s Old Path White Clouds. This week, I read Chapter 24, continuing from where we left off last time. I had planned to read Chapter 25 as well, but then I remembered that I had already recorded a talk on it back in 2022—before the Tea With Mara podcast began—and had never released it. So tonight, following Sunday's talk on Chapter 24, I’ve included that e...

"If It Ain't Broke..." is a Dharma talk and brief guided meditation about learning to pause and reflect before leaping into action to fix something that may not need to be fixed. People tend to tweak and tinker in the effort to improve, and often they end up creating problems where there were none. Then we try to tinker our way back to stable footing. It rarely works out well. The Buddha said to pause and notice. Maybe we don't need to meddle with things so often. I hope you find something useful in this one. Enjoy!

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"Yasa and The Boodles" is a Dharma talk offered at Two Hands Sangha on the story of Yasa who gives up his life of drunken debauchery to find peace in this lifetime with the Buddha's teachings. So what is a Boodle? Mostly just me mis-speaking which I was going to edit out, but I decided it was to silly and fun to cut. Or maybe "Yasa and The Boodles" is the name of my band. I don't know. I hope you get some laughs AND some dharma out of this wonderful story. Enjoy!

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“Forgetting to Remember” is a Dharma talk and brief guided meditation inspired by a conversation about those moments when the mind just won’t cooperate—when the harder we try to remember, focus, or figure something out, the more stuck we feel. This talk explores why that happens, what the Buddha had to say about clinging and effort, and how letting go—not giving up—can open the door to clarity. I hope it offers you something useful. Enjoy!

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"Relaxed Living Through Perfect Imperfection" is a Dharma Talk offered at Two Hands Sangha (and the title is a play on the Audi slogan which is explained in the talk) on the topic of the Four Brahma Viharas. Let's explore these four practices, and how they are both the path and the fruit of practice. I hope you enjoy this one!

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"Not To But Through" is a Dharma talk and brief guided meditation inspired by a community member on how we aren't actually pushed and pulled by the past or present, but that it is we who are doing the pushing and pulling. This is what the Buddha was teaching when he spoke about craving. I hope you find something useful in this one! Enjoy!

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"Big Wheel Keep On Turning" is a dharma talk that picks up where we left off last Sunday in Two Hands Sangha, after the Buddha's awakening, when he meets his five ascetic friends and delivers the first sermon Setting In Motion The Wheel of The Dhamma. I open with some references to CCR's song, because of course I did. I'm not sorry. I hope the fun we had helps to deliver the importance of this critical teaching. Enjoy!

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“Hand Me Down Habits” is a Dharma talk and guided meditation (32:00) exploring our generational habit energy; the conditioning and trauma we sometimes inherit—and unwittingly carry forward. The good news is, we can also learn to change these patterns and break the cycle. This heartfelt session offers insights and tools to recognize and transform inherited habit energies, opening the door to greater freedom and compassion. I hope it provides something meaningful and relevant for everyone. Enjoy!

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"In The Beninging" is a dharma talk offered at Two Hands Sangha which was an impromptu paraphrasing of the Buddha's origin story taking from sources such as Thich Nhat Hanh's "Old Path White Clouds", various sutras, and some creative license. I wanted to give a quick and dirty backstory of the Buddha for some new Sangha mates who might not be familiar. I hope you'll find something useful and nothing (too) offensive in this one. Enjoy!

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"The Risks and Rewards of Trust" is a dharma talk and guided meditation (31:21) addressing whether the risks of connection are worth the pain of broken trust. Trusting others can feel like a gamble. Some say keeping people at a distance is the safest way to avoid pain. Others believe trust is essential for connection. So where’s the middle path? In this talk, we explore detachment vs. non-attachment, the fear of trust, and the Buddha’s teachings on wise friendship (kalyāṇa-mitta). Trust doesn’t have to be blind, and isolation isn’t freedom. Let's discuss. Enjoy!

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"Letting Go of Foreboding Joy" is a dharma talk offered at Two Hands Sangha that asks "How often do we find ourselves bracing for impact just when life is at its best?" That creeping sense that joy can’t last—that if we let ourselves fully feel happiness, something bad must be waiting around the corner. Join us as we unpack the practice of holding joy lightly, trusting the ebb and flow of life, and reclaiming our right to experience happiness fully.

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“Five Kinds of Joy” is a Dharma talk and brief guided meditation (37:29) about something that doesn’t get nearly enough attention in Buddhist spaces—joy. It’s easy to think Buddhism is all about suffering, but the truth is, the Buddha wasn’t interested in suffering for suffering’s sake. He was interested in freedom—in uncovering happiness and learning how to sustain it. This talk explores how joy naturally arises from practice, why we often overlook it, and how we can actively cultivate more of it in daily life. Enjoy!

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"Inviting My Younger Self To Tea" is a Dharma talk inspired by the viral TikTok trend #metmyyoungerselfforcoffee (which itself was inspired by a beautiful poem by Jennie Cecelia) and the Buddha’s teachings on impermanence. It’s about looking back with kindness, seeing how we’ve grown, and realizing that we are never as stuck as we think. Through self-reflection, a little nostalgia, and mindfulness, we explore what it means to meet ourselves with compassion—past, present, and future. Enjoy!

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“Don’t Borrow Tomorrow’s Trouble” is a Dharma talk offered at Two Hands Sangha inspired by some quotes from Rebecca Yarros' wildly popular book Fourth Wing about staying present. It's about how our minds race ahead, worrying about what hasn’t happened or clinging to what has. Through Fourth Wing, the Buddha’s teachings, and a little BookTok fun, we unpack how we get "taken in" by fear and regret —and how mindfulness helps us stand firm. Enjoy!

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"Facing Fear, Finding Refuge" is a Dharma talk and brief guided meditation (27:56) exploring how we meet today’s uncertainties head-on…while still finding solace in the present moment. This talk dives into why fear can actually be our teacher—showing us what matters most—and how refuge in mindfulness allows us to regroup, breathe, and remember life’s simple joys. Enjoy!

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“Self Sabotage and Karma” is a Dharma talk reflecting on how our unexamined actions (and inaction) create the conditions we find ourselves in—personally and collectively. This talk explores how blame, habit patterns, and ignorance of interdependence can keep us stuck, and how understanding karma can help us move toward skillful, compassionate engagement. Enjoy!

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"Tools, Not Rules" is a Dharma talk and brief guided meditation exploring how we engage with social media and media in general in a balanced, intentional way. This talk asks more questions than it answers, and invites us to reflect on how we use our attention, set boundaries, and maintain ethical engagement. Do we walk away from social media completely? Do we indulge in it completely? Somewhere in between? Let's get into it. Enjoy!

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“Not Less Through Loss” is a Dharma talk offered at Two Hands Sangha exploring resilience, hope, and the potential for growth in the face of life’s challenges. This talk reminds us that loss doesn’t diminish our worth or potential—it’s an opportunity to rise, to thrive, and to see beyond what we think defines us. Enjoy!

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“The Dharma of Dianogas” is a Dharma talk and brief guided meditation (31:25) exploring how a simple shift in awareness can soften anger, reduce stress, and spark compassion—even when everyday annoyances dial our frustration up. We talk about how recognizing our heightened baseline of irritability can turn a biting response into a mindful one. Dependent origination and mindfulness related through Star Wars, with a splash of Spinal Tap. Enjoy!

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"Nobody Said It Was Easy" is a Dharma talk exploring the challenges and rewards of living with integrity. We dive into why the Noble Path isn’t the "comfortable" path, but the "worthwhile" one—how aligning with our values can bring us peace, even when it’s not easy. I share personal reflections, practical examples, and encouragement for staying true when life gets tough. Enjoy!

“The Threefold Training” is a dharma talk and guided meditation (33:04) on how to cultivate ethics, concentration, and wisdom for a more stable and compassionate life. I share personal stories and practical tips on weaving Sīla, Samādhi, and Paññā into our daily routines—especially when life gets chaotic. I hope it offers some clarity and ease. Enjoy!

"Information, Knowledge, and Knowing" is a dharma talk offered at Two Hands Sangha on the difference between these things, and how to help stay safe and sane in the midst of the onslaught of information we are inundated with every day. I hope this will offer some relief, as it's been especially chaotic this week for many people. Enjoy!

"Where Once I Was Blind" is a Dharma talk and guided meditation inspired by my experience of getting eyeglasses I've needed for 20 years or more, which led me to reflect on The Buddha's thoughts on having "Dust in the eyes" and of clear seeing. I hope it will be a fun and funny way to hear these teachings, perhaps for your first time (at least in this way)! Enjoy! And Happy New Year!

"NYEEE 2024 Intention Setting Ceremony" is the Two Hands Sangha dharma talk portion of our 2024 New Years Eve Eve Eve Intention Setting Ceremony! It was a beautiful evening of sangha lighting candles and setting our intentions for 2025 and enjoying community! I hope you find something useful in this talk to help you live 2025 with Intentions that lead you to the wholesome. Enjoy!

"We Know The Way" is a dharma talk and brief guided meditation that draws on the wisdom of The Buddha, with a little help from Einstein and Moana, to help us understand how we don't have to suffer at the holidays because of past family trauma and storylines that we are stuck in. We can use the practice to write new storylines and give us our happiness and joy back. I hope this lands for someone who needs it. Enjoy!

"Reflections Of The Way Life Used To Be" is a dharma talk offered at Two Hands Sangha on the topic of reflection. Looking back at our year using mindfulness and clear comprehension to see how we met moments in our past year, to inform how we wish to set intentions for the coming year (next week at our Intention Setting Ceremony). I hope you will enjoy and please feel free to message me if you have intentions you would like to have me light a candle for if you can't join us next week. See you then!

"What The Hell Am I" is a Dharma Talk and Guided Meditation on practicing with sickness. When we’re feeling unwell the Buddha reminds us that sickness is part of being human, and that our minds can stay clear and compassionate even when the body is struggling. By noticing discomfort without pushing it away, and by extending kindness, sickness becomes a teacher, guiding us toward deeper understanding, patience, and connection. Enjoy!

"The Acorn And The Oak" is a dharma talk and brief guided meditation on the topic of Interconnectedness, or Interbeing, in a very broad accessible way. I've noticed lots of examples of this lately, and many community members discussing it, so I thought I would offer some thoughts on this wonderful topic. I hope it is of some use in your life. Enjoy!

"Unwrapping Vulnerability and Boundaries" is a dharma talk offered at Two Hands Sangha on Bodhi Day exploring how to find balance between being open-hearted and protecting our personal well-being during the holidays. By understanding balance between these two, we can show up more authentically, deepen connections, and care for ourselves—even in the most hectic season. Enjoy!

"Pain And The Brain" is a dharma talk and brief guided meditation on various kinds of pain and how the dharma can help us work with them. We talk about meeting physical aches, emotional heartache, and mental strain with open-hearted presence instead of running away. We learn to pause and ask, “How can I meet this moment with wisdom and compassion?” I hope you'll enjoy this talk!

"The Grateful Heart (The Lost Episode)" is a Dharma talk and guided meditation (30:20) offered on 11/28/24 in Virtual Reality. This talk was lost during editing and recovered today. We explore gratitude as a way of deepening our connection to others, cultivating resilience, and opening the door to greater joy and freedom. I hope you'll enjoy!

“Survive And Thrive For The Holidays” is a dharma talk offered at Two Hands Sangha about how the holiday season can be a time of joy and connection—but also stress, conflict, and exhaustion. In this session, we explore how to recover from the challenges of Thanksgiving and prepare mindfully for the weeks ahead. Drawing on the Buddha’s teachings, we’ll discuss practical tools for reflecting on holiday experiences, restoring balance, and setting intentions rooted in kindness, generosity, and simplicity. Discover how mindfulness, self-compassion, and loving-kindness can transform the holiday chaos into a meaningful and nourishing time for yourself a...

"Mindfulness Is A Hoe" is a dharma talk on a community question last week of how to work with worry and anxiety related to situations where we are so worried about something bad happening, that we actually end up creating the conditions for that bad thing to happen! It's a great question and I hope I it will be helpful. We all experience something covered in this talk and I trust it will be useful for each of us. Enjoy!

"Trust Begins When Actions Match Words" is a dharma talk and short meditation (35:30) on Trust. We explore the nature of trust—what it means, how it is built, how it is broken, and how it can be rebuilt based on the teachings of the Buddha with a little help from Pete Buttigieg. I hope you enjoy and find this helpful in your life.

"There in the Balanced “Engagedness” takes a deeper look at equanimity and clears up some common misunderstandings. Often thought of as passive or detached, we explored how equanimity is actually an engaged balance, staying present with life’s ups and downs without being shaken or pulled off-center. It’s not about standing still while the world moves—it’s about moving with it, from a place of steadiness and wisdom. Enjoy!