Tea with Mara

"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!https://bio.reverendgeorgebeecher.com

"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 little as I sneak some plugs in for some books I love or for the communities I love. Enjoy!https://bio.reverendgeorgebeecher.comhttps://tomebooks.com/ref/keoki

“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.https://bio.reverendgeorgebeecher.com

“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 enjoy this epic story! https://bio.reverendgeorgebeecher.com

“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 compassion and that unforgettable line: “Bear it, Brahmin, bear it.” It's not a story about punishment. It's a story about what's possible when we finally stop running. I hope you enjoy this powerful story!https://bio.reverendgeorgebeecher.com

“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!https://bio.reverendgeorgebeecher.com

“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!https://bio.reverendgeorgebeecher.com

"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!https://bio.reverendgeorgebeecher.com

“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 fear for what it is, just another passing mind state, the monsters vanish. What's left is peace. Enjoy!https://bio.reverendgeorgebeecher.com

“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!https://bio.reverendgeorgebeecher.com

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

"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's wise, but wise speech will always be freeing.https://bio.reverendgeorgebeecher.com

"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 clearly. My hope is that it offers something useful for you, and that you enjoy listening.https://bio.reverendgeorgebeecher.com

"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 Way. And asking ourselves, how can I practice love and respect when it's difficult?https://bio.reverendgeorgebeecher.com

"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!https://bio.reverendgeorgebeecher.com

“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!https://bio.reverendgeorgebeecher.com

“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!https://bio.reverendgeorgebeecher.com

“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!https://bio.reverendgeorgebeecher.com

"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 wheel is aligned. I hope you have some fun with this one and enjoy it!https://bio.reverendgeorgebeecher.com

“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 itself becomes the fuel for practice. Enjoy! (Also, only the title is related to the song, so that's either a bug or a feature, depending on what you like!) https://bio.reverendgeorgebeecher.com

“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!https://bio.reverendgeorgebeecher.com

“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” https://bio.reverendgeorgebeecher.com

"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!https://bio.reverendgeorgebeecher.com

“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. Enjoy!https://bio.reverendgeorgebeecher.com

“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!https://bio.reverendgeorgebeecher.com

"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! https://bio.reverendgeorgebeecher.com

"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!https://bio.reverendgeorgebeecher.com

“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 of encouragement. I hope you enjoy! And I've been doing these podcast posts for a couple of years almost. I've never spoiled the easter egg hiding at the end of these episodes, but since tonight invokes Ferris Bueller, I'll tell you that there's always been a special Ferris inspired ending if you stay all the way to the end.  It mixes Ferris' wisdom, and the Buddha's, for a little light hearted humor! Enjoy!https://bio.reverendgeorgebeecher.com 

"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!https://bio.reverendgeorgebeecher.com

"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.https://bio.reverendgeorgebeecher.com

“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 to anyone who is struggling through the fog of confusion. I'm so glad you're here.https://bio.reverendgeorgebeecher.com

"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!https://bio.reverendgeorgebeecher.com

"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!https://bio.reverendgeorgebeecher.com

"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!https://bio.reverendgeorgebeecher.com

"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!https://bio.reverendgeorgebeecher.com

"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!https://bio.reverendgeorgebeecher.com

“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