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Part V in a Series on the Five Conditions for Release Every year so, reflecting on earlier periods of my life, I have thought, "Boy, I was pretty foolish then. I had a lot to learn." After many years of making this observation, it has finally started to dawn on me that, perhaps, this moment, right now, will be one I reflect back on soon and think, "Boy was I foolish, I had a lot to learn." This week's talk is on Wisdom, the 5th condition for the release of the heart. It is the final talk in this series. Wisdom, in this tradition, is seeing that everything is arising and passing: our minds, our bodies, our friends, our possessions, and our ideas of who we are. This talk was given at the Riverside Meditation Community, Brookmont Church, on Sunday, October 11, 2026. This is the last of five talks on the Meghiya Sutta’s conditions for the release of the heart: sitting together, treating each other well, hearing good teachings, practicing them, and wisdom. Question for the week: What things about yourself seemed permanent that no longer do? Texts & references Meghiya Sutta (Udāna 4.1): the five conditions that ripen the heart for release. https://suttacentral.net/ud4.1Anattalakkhaṇa Sutta (SN 22.59): “not mine, not I, not my self.” https://suttacentral.net/sn22.59Sakalika Sutta (SN 1.38): the Buddha stays steady when a rock splinter cuts his foot. https://suttacentral.net/sn1.38Rabbi Simcha Bunim of Peshischa: two slips of paper, “For my sake the world was created” and “I am but dust and ashes.”Dōgen: “intimacy with all things” (attributed).Photo by Jez Timms on Unsplash #Buddhism #Meditation #Impermanence #DharmaTalk #Wisdom #InsightMeditation #Mindfulness #NotSelf #LettingGo

Part IV in a Series on the Five Conditions for Release A few weeks ago I got stuck in an elevator with my kids — the thing I've feared most of my life. My vision wobbled. And then something steadied. This week's talk is about the fourth condition for the release of the heart — vīriya, rousing the energy to practice — and why it's worth doing. It's a strange kind of energy. Instead of tensing up, it's the energy to relax, over and over. Plus: what a Spanish doctor taught me about how hard to work. The talk was recorded at the Riverside Meditation Community. We meet again this coming Sunday at 9 AM at the Brookmont Church, 4000 Virginia Place, Brookmont, MD. Texts & references: The five conditions that ripen the release of the heart — Meghiya Sutta (Udāna 4.1, suttacentral.net/ud4.1; also AN 9.3) · Faith as the ground of energy — the five spiritual faculties (SN 48.50, suttacentral.net/sn48.50) · Soṇa and the tuning of the lute (AN 6.55, suttacentral.net/an6.55) · Crossing the flood without halting or straining (SN 1.1, suttacentral.net/sn1.1) This week's practice: Try one for a week — a body scan in bed before you get up, a few minutes of walking meditation, or a light awareness of the breath all day. Then notice what you find. Photo by sendi gibran on Unsplash

Part III in a Series on the Five Conditions for Release When the business of the fall gets loud, I step outside and let the cold air blow the nonsense out of my head. If the moon is out, even better. It provides quiet, simple company. This week's dharma talk is about the kind of talk that is like the cold wind and the steady moon. The Buddha named ten kinds of good talk, from wanting little to staying out of drama, and I share about the people who've offered it to me — from my dad's sermons on the simplicity of Hondas to my uncle, Jack Kornfield, and the day his teacher Ajahn Chah pointed at a boulder and asked if it was heavy. This was recorded at the Riverside Meditation Community. We meet again this coming Sunday at 9 AM at the Brookmont Church, 4000 Virginia Place, Brookmont, MD. Texts & references: The ten kinds of talk that ripen the release of the heart — Meghiya Sutta (Udāna 4.1, suttacentral.net/ud4.1; also AN 9.3) · Brahmā Sahampati urges the Buddha to teach — Āyācana Sutta (SN 6.1, suttacentral.net/sn6.1) · "Enough, let that be" — the actor Talapuṭa's question (SN 42.2, suttacentral.net/sn42.2) · Teaching in the listener's own language — Araṇavibhaṅga Sutta (MN 139, suttacentral.net/mn139) · Jack Kornfield on studying with Wing-tsit Chan and Ajahn Chah · Ajahn Chah and the boulder · Ledi Sayadaw, Sayagyi U Ba Khin, Mahasi Sayadaw, Sayadaw U Tejaniya, Tara Brach This week's practice: Notice a boulder you've picked up that isn't yours to carry. Then notice who in your life offers the kind of talk that helps you set it down. Photo by Alexis Antonio on Unsplash

Growing up, there was a piece of advice that circulated in my family: hold your head up and act like you know what you're doing. It didn't leave me feeling ahead. It left me feeling permanently behind. This is a talk about sīla — ethical conduct — and why the Buddha named it the second condition for the release of the heart. This is not a list of rules or finger wagging. It's about seeing that life gets easier when we live in a way we don't have to hide. Recorded at the Riverside Meditation Community, Brookmont Church, Brookmont, MD, September 2026. Second in a series of five on the conditions for release of the heart. Texts & references: Texts & references: The five conditions for the ripening of release of heart — Meghiya Sutta (Udāna 4.1, suttacentral.net/ud4.1; also AN 9.3) · Visārada, the confidence of one who has nothing to hide, and its opposite — Mahāparinibbāna Sutta (DN 16, suttacentral.net/dn16) and Saṅgīti Sutta (DN 33) · Sīlabbata-parāmāsa, clinging to rules and observances, as a fetter abandoned on the path · The five precepts · Reflecting on action before, during, and after — Advice to Rāhula (MN 61, suttacentral.net/mn61) · The Good Place, season 3 This week's practice: When you're unsure what the right action is, notice whether you're rushing. Most harm comes out of hurry. Slow down and when in doubt, do without. Cover Art by Geranimo on Unsplash

What's the point of getting up on a Sunday morning to meet in a suburban church to meditate? Is it happiness? Happiness can be quite fickle. Contentment? Yes, though there's more to it than that. What it's really about is release. It's what the Pāli texts call cetovimutti, the release of the heart. And the Buddha's first instruction toward it isn't solitude in a cave or a forest. It's sitting down next to someone. Recorded at the first gathering of the Riverside Meditation Community, Brookmont Church, Brookmont, MD, September 2026. Texts & references: The Meghiya Sutta — the monk, the mango grove, and the five things that ripen release of heart (Udāna 4.1, suttacentral.net/ud4.1; also AN 9.3) · The Upaḍḍha Sutta — Ānanda on admirable friendship, and the Buddha's correction (SN 45.2, suttacentral.net/sn45.2) · D.W. Winnicott, "there is no such thing as a baby" · Wendell Berry, "Health Is Membership" — community as the smallest unit of health · the Roseto effect · Tara Brach Photo by Federico Enni on Unsplash

What's the difference between a complaint and a need? When the Buddha was dying, he asked Ānanda for water again and again. He was in pain, he was thirsty, he was tired, and he was dying. But he voiced his request without complaint. This talk is all about the difference between naming a need and letting the suffering do the talking. Recorded at the River Road drop-in class, Bethesda, MD, August 2026. Texts & references: The Buddha's request for water — Mahāparinibbāna Sutta (DN 16), suttacentral.net/dn16 · Parideva(lamentation) in the first noble truth's expansion of dukkha · D.W. Winnicott on early attention and mirroring · Wei Wu Wei on worshipping the teapot Photo by Santiago Lacarta on Unsplash

A talk on the dharma of chasing followers: fame, failure, and the fear of being nobody. The wish to be seen, to count, to leave a mark — and what happens when we meet it with awareness instead of feeding it metrics. Recorded at Downtown Dharma DC, August 2026. Texts & references: Khemaka Sutta (SN 22.89) — suttacentral.net/sn22.89 · The dung beetle (SN 17.5) — suttacentral.net/sn17.5 · Iti 26 on giving · D.W. Winnicott on mirroring · Erik Erikson, generativity and integrity

The Dharma of Waiting This talk was given at the River Road Unitarian Church on July 29th, 2026. For more of Devin's talks and writings visit devinmaroney.substack.com. For more information about this meditation community, please visit riversidemeditation.net

Hi friends, This talk is about how to transform blame into the wholesome quality of thoughtful, careful assessment and, beyond that, to see into the vast nature of being. I gave this talk at the River Road Unitarian Universalist Church on Wednesday, July 15th, 2026. Upcoming Offerings July 29th, 7:00-8:30 PM, Drop-in Session, RRUUC, 6301 River Rd, Bethesda, MD 20817 September 13th, 8:30-9:30 AM, First Class for the Riverside Meditation Community, 4000 Virginia Place, Brookmont, MD 20816 [SAVE THE DATE] March 11-14, 2027 Insight Meditation Residential Retreat, Seven Oaks Retreat Center, Madison, VA (Now with more single rooms!) Photo by Ksenia Makagonova on Unsplash Get full access to Devin Maroney at devinmaroney.substack.com/subscribe

Hi all, This is a talk about how to work with competitive energy and how to transform it from something destructive into something creative. I gave this talk at the River Road Unitarian Universalist Church on Wednesday, June 24th. Upcoming Offerings [NEW] July 15th, 7:00-8:30 PM, Drop-in Session, RRUUC, 6301 River Rd, Bethesda, MD 20817 July 29th, 7:00-8:30 PM, Drop-in Session, RRUUC, 6301 River Rd, Bethesda, MD 20817 September 13th, 8:30-9:30 AM, Inaugural event for the Riverside Meditation Community, 4000 Virginia Place, Brookmont, MD 20816 [SAVE THE DATE] March 11-14, 2027 Insight Meditation Residential Retreat, Seven Oaks Retreat Center, Madison, VA (Now with more single rooms!) Get full access to Devin Maroney at devinmaroney.substack.com/subscribe

Hi friends, This is the fourth and final talk in a series on the Limitless Attitudes (Pali: appamaññā), which are also called the Divine Abodes (Pali: Brahmavihāra). The topic of this talk is Goodwill (Metta). The talk was recorded at River Road Unitarian Universalist Church on June 3rd. I hope you find it helpful. Upcoming Offerings June 24th, 7:00 - 8:30 PM, Drop-in Session, RRUUC, 6301 River Rd, Bethesda, MD 20817 July 29th, 7:00 - 8:30 PM, Drop-in Session, RRUUC, 6301 River Rd, Bethesda, MD 20817 September 13th, 8:30-9:30 AM, Inaugural event for the Riverside Meditation Community, 4000 Virginia Place, Brookmont, MD 20816 March 11th - 14th, 2027 Insight Meditation Residential Retreat, Seven Oaks Retreat Center, Madison, VA (With lots of single room accommodations this year!) Photo by Yeshi Kangrang on Unsplash Get full access to Devin Maroney at devinmaroney.substack.com/subscribe

Hi everyone, I gave this talk last night at the River Road Unitarian Universalist Church (RRUUC) on caring, one of the four Limitless Attitudes (Pali: Apāmāṇa). Enoy! Upcoming Offerings June 3rd, 7:00 - 8:30 PM, Drop-in Session, RRUUC, 6301 River Rd, Bethesda, MD 20817 June 14th, 7:00 - 8:30 PM, Drop-in Session, Downtown Dharma @ Yoga District, 1910 14th St, NW Washington, DC June 24th, 7:00 - 8:30 PM, Drop-in Session, RRUUC, 6301 River Rd, Bethesda, MD 20817 July 29th, 7:00 - 8:30 PM, Drop-in Session, RRUUC, 6301 River Rd, Bethesda, MD 20817 Spring Retreat - Save the Date! March 11th - 14th, 2027 Insight Meditation Residential Retreat, Seven Oaks Retreat Center, Madison, VA (With lots of single room accommodations this year!) Get full access to Devin Maroney at devinmaroney.substack.com/subscribe

Hi everyone, I gave this talk last night at the River Road Unitarian Church on rejoicing, one of the four Limitless Attitudes (Pali: Apāmāṇa). Enjoy! Upcoming Offerings May 6th, 7:00 - 8:30 PM, Drop-in Session, River Road Unitarian Universalist Church (RRUUC), 6301 River Rd, Bethesda, MD 20817 June 3rd, 7:00 - 8:30 PM, Drop-in Session, River Road Unitarian Universalist Church (RRUUC), 6301 River Rd, Bethesda, MD 20817 June 14th, 7:00 - 8:30 PM, Drop-in Session, Downtown Dharma @ Yoga District, 1910 14th St, NW Washington, DC June 24th, 7:00 - 8:30 PM, Drop-in Session, River Road Unitarian Universalist Church (RRUUC), 6301 River Rd, Bethesda, MD 20817 July 29th, 7:00 - 8:30 PM, Drop-in Session, River Road Unitarian Universalist Church (RRUUC), 6301 River Rd, Bethesda, MD 20817 Spring Retreat - Save the Date! March 11th - 14th, 2027 Insight Meditation Residential Retreat, Seven Oaks Retreat Center, Madison, VA (With lots of single room accommodations this year!) Get full access to Devin Maroney at devinmaroney.substack.com/subscribe

Hi friends, This is the first talk in a series I’m offering on the Limitless Attitudes (Pali: Appamāṇa), which are also called the Divine Abodes (Pali: Brahmavihāra). I am working my way backward through the Limitless Attitudes, starting with equanimity, which is often taught last and is the subject of this talk. This was recorded at Downtown Dharma on April 12th. I hope you find it beneficial. Upcoming Offerings: I’ll be back at Downtown Dharma on June 14th, and will be teaching a few classes at River Road Unitarian in May, June and July, though the dates have not yet been finalized. I will post a complete schedule soon, with those details and, hopefully, details on next year’s spring retreat. Photo by Srikanth Sistu on Unsplash Get full access to Devin Maroney at devinmaroney.substack.com/subscribe

Hi everyone, This is a recording of the talk I gave on Monday night on Right View. It is the last talk in this series on the Eightfold Path. I hope you find it helpful. Upcoming Events March 12th - March 15th: Residential meditation retreat in the Insight tradition. Seven Oaks Retreat Center, Madison, VA. To learn more or register follow this link: https://imcw.org/event/?eventId=1678 March 25th, 7:00 - 8:30 PM, Drop-in Session, River Road Unitarian Church, 6301 River Rd, Bethesda, MD 20817. April 12th, 7:00 - 8:30 PM, Drop-in Session, Downtown Dharma @ Yoga District, 1910 14th St, NW Washington, DC April 22nd, 7:00 - 8:30 PM, Drop-in Session, River Road Unitarian Church, 6301 River Rd, Bethesda, MD 20817. June 14th, 7:00 - 8:30 PM, Drop-in Session, Downtown Dharma @ Yoga District, 1910 14th St, NW Washington, DC Photo by Irena Carpaccio on Unsplash Get full access to Devin Maroney at devinmaroney.substack.com/subscribe