Speaker: Chris Holland. Chris expands on the importance of developing, clarifying, and honoring our knowledge both of ourselves and of the Buddhist teachings. In coming to know ourselves deeply, we learn how best to engage on the path and avoid common pitfalls in relating to the teachings, the sangha, and the teacher. Understanding the teachings clearly is the most effective way to integrate them into our life and practice. Chris concludes his talk by sharing the guidelines he has developed to assess his progress on the path.

Speaker: Stephanie Kindberg. Stephanie discusses the importance of staying the course on the path of the Buddhadharma, and the power of aspiration for the upcoming new year. Several listeners shared their aspirations for 2022 for all to reflect upon, and Stephanie encouraged us all to join in making our own meaningful aspirations as well.

Speaker: Jennifer Shippee. Jennifer contemplates how dying without regret is possible only if we liberate ourselves from self-clinging and allow genuine compassion and devotion to arise. By developing mindfulness and vigilant introspection, we sharpen our awareness of our aversions and attachments, all of which are rooted in self-clinging. Confronting these habits enables us gradually to subdue our confusion, realize the nature of mind, and allow genuine compassion to manifest spontaneously. Just as contemplating self-clinging gives rise to compassion, contemplating the attainments, efforts, and kindness of our teachers deepens our sense of appreciation and gratitude, which are the roots from which genuine devotion spring.

Speaker: Amalia Steinberg. Amalia contemplates the tendency to fall into nihilism and eternalism and offers skillful means to adopt the view of the middle way. The view of nhilism rejects the idea of cause and effect and engenders fear, anxiety, and clinging. The view of eternalism engenders a false sense of permanence and solidity that leads to fundamentalism. The middle way is not “halfway” between these two view; rather, it acknowledges the interdependence of all phenomena and offers the opportunity to exert agency. In acknowledging our deep connectedness with all beings and situations, it fosters respect, kindness, and an open heart.