Tea with Mara

“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!https://bio.reverendgeorgebeecher.com 

“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! https://bio.reverendgeorgebeecher.com

"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!https://bio.reverendgeorgebeecher.com

"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 hope you'll find it useful. Enjoy!https://bio.reverendgeorgebeecher.com

"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!https://bio.reverendgeorgebeecher.com

“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 face of injustice. (Spoiler: we're not.) I'd love to hear your thoughts on what wise trouble means to you. https://bio.reverendgeorgebeecher.com

"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!https://www.reverendgeorgebeecher.com

"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!https://bio.reverendgeorgebeecher.com

"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!https://bio.reverendgeorgebeecher.com

"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 Jazz Day and Dave Brubeck Day! Also, I included a Spotify Playlist of a few jazz songs that inspired tonights topic.

"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. https://bio.reverendgeorgebeecher.com

"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!https://bio.reverendgeorgebeecher.com

"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!https://bio.reverendgeorgebeecher.com

“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 earlier talk along with a guided meditation originally recorded in Virtual Reality. I hope this combined offering is meaningful and supportive for you. Enjoy!https://bio.reverendgeorgebeecher.com

"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!https://bio.reverendgeorgebeecher.com

"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!https://bio.reverendgeorgebeecher.com

“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! https://bio.reverendgeorgebeecher.com

"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!https://bio.reverendgeorgebeecher.com

"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!https://bio.reverendgeorgebeecher.com

"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! https://bio.reverendgeorgebeecher.com

**Improved Promo Text**“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!https://bio.reverendgeorgebeecher.com

"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!https://bio.reverendgeorgebeecher.com

"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!https://bio.reverendgeorgebeecher.com

"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.https://bio.reverendgeorgebeecher.com

“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!https://bio.reverendgeorgebeecher.com

"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! https://bio.reverendgeorgebeecher.com

“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!https://bio.reverendgeorgebeecher.com

"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!https://bio.reverendgeorgebeecher.com

“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! https://bio.reverendgeorgebeecher.com

"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! https://bio.reverendgeorgebeecher.com/

“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! https://bio.reverendgeorgebeecher.com

“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! http://bio.reverendgeorgebeecher.com

"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 and those around you. Enjoy!

"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!

"Love The Actor, Fight The Action" wraps up a series of a few talks about where we might find ourselves these days with the world in such upheaval. Last week we spoke about pausing, and sitting in that with no need to rush to action. This week, we turn toward that action and make sure it's informed by compassion. These last three talks will hopefully serve many of us through difficult social challenges we may face in the coming years. I hope it is of a benefit to you. Enjoy!