Effort and persistence are an important part of the path to liberation and awakening, but sometimes we get caught in thinking we should be there by now and ask when it's enough. This is when the practice of patience is necessary. Patience is necessary when there is resistance to what is. In this talk Mary reflects on the effort of equanimity and letting go of expectations. There is only right here and right now.

Recorded March 15, 2026 for Insight Community of the Desert in Palm Springs

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In this talk Mary reflects on the Mahayana idea of bodhicitta. At it's heart, it is the idea of an awakened mind and an aspiration to awaken and experience an end of suffering both for ourselves and for all. And why not?

Recorded March 7, 2026 in the virtual world

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So much of what we think, say and do is habitual - we react without thinking. The Buddha taught that our reactivity is also impacted by whether we experience something as pleasant, unpleasant or neutral. In this talk Mary discusses how this colors our experiences in the world and how to create new habits that are not reactive, but instead, are truly in the moment and grounded in wisdom and compassion.

Recorded Feb. 28, 2026 in the virtual world

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The word Samadhi is usually translated as concentration, but it's also thought of as collectedness of mind and steadiness. This important teaching - the 8th factor on the Eightfold Path is necessary for awakening and liberation. Mary discusses what Samadhi is and isn't and how we cultivate this important quality.

Recorded Feb. 21, 2022 in the virtual world

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In this time of great dukkha, it's imperative to remember the importance of love and how we ground ourselves and our practice in it. Mary reflects on the wisdom of bell hooks and others to find a way to make this a foundation of our practice, and our intention as we move the the world and deal with the vicissitudes of life.

Recorded Feb 14, 2026 in the virtual world

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The old story about a good wolf and bad wolf that live in our minds aligns beautifully with the Buddha's teachings on cultivating what's beneficial and letting go of what isn't. Mary reflects on how we often feed the ideas that don't serve us and how to move in a different, more wise, direction.

Recorded Feb. 7, 2026 in the virtual world

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In this important teaching, the Buddha invites us to become intimate with the human condition and to see how we create levels of suffering for ourselves. There is also the recognition that there is a way out - the Eightfold Path. Mary also reflects on Stephen Batchelor's Four Tasks which brings a pragmatic lens to this essential teaching.

Recorded Jan 31, 2026 in the virtual world

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Every day we're inundated with stories and images of violence, and the three poisons of greed, hatred and ignorance that the Buddha spoke of centuries ago. How do we greet this moment in time? How do we handle the emotions we experience with wisdom and compassion? How do we stay connected to the world we live in and work to end the harm we see? Mary reflects on the reality of this moment and how to take care of ourselves and others.

Recorded Jan. 25, 2026 in the virtual world

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