Wild Heart Detroit

In this session of Untangling the Mind, we explore the patterns of people-pleasing and ask how we can remain kind without disappearing in the process. Drawing on early Buddhist teachings around craving, clinging, and wise intention, we look at how the desire for approval, fear of conflict, and the impulse to control others' discomfort can quietly pull us away from ourselves. Together, we examine the difference between genuine compassion and what's been called "idiot compassion" — giving people what they want rather than what they need to avoid witnessing suffering — and consider how identities like "the reliable one" or "the easy...

In this session of Untangling the Mind, we explore the patterns of people-pleasing and ask how we can remain kind without disappearing in the process. Drawing on early Buddhist teachings around craving, clinging, and wise intention, we look at how the desire for approval, fear of conflict, and the impulse to control others' discomfort can quietly pull us away from ourselves. Together, we examine the difference between genuine compassion and what's been called "idiot compassion" — giving people what they want rather than what they need to avoid witnessing suffering — and consider how identities like "the reliable one" or "the easy...

In this session of Untangling the Mind, we explore social anxiety through the lens of mindfulness and early Buddhist teachings. Together, we look at how fear of judgment, self-consciousness, craving for approval, and aversion to discomfort shape our experience, and how mindfulness and compassion can help us relate to these patterns differently. Rather than trying to eliminate anxiety, this practice invites us to meet our experience with greater awareness, acceptance, and kindness.

Prompt: What scenario, event, or activity often brings anxiety out for you?

Talk segment that complements the...

In this session of Untangling the Mind, we explore social anxiety through the lens of mindfulness and early Buddhist teachings. Together, we look at how fear of judgment, self-consciousness, craving for approval, and aversion to discomfort shape our experience, and how mindfulness and compassion can help us relate to these patterns differently. Rather than trying to eliminate anxiety, this practice invites us to meet our experience with greater awareness, acceptance, and kindness.

Prompt: What scenario, event, or activity often brings anxiety out for you?

Sitting segment that complements the...

This week, Olivia reframes effort in meditation as something steady and compassionate rather than forceful, emphasizing that sustainable practice comes from releasing strain and returning gently to the present moment again and again. Over time, this shift—from striving to simply returning—allows practice to become a flexible, supportive way of being that can meet all of life’s experiences with care.

Prompt: What is a place in your life that used to take a lot of effort but doesn’t anymore?

Sitting segment that complements the talk portion on Susta...

This week, Olivia reframes effort in meditation as something steady and compassionate rather than forceful, emphasizing that sustainable practice comes from releasing strain and returning gently to the present moment again and again. Over time, this shift—from striving to simply returning—allows practice to become a flexible, supportive way of being that can meet all of life’s experiences with care.

Prompt: What is a place in your life that used to take a lot of effort but doesn’t anymore?

Sitting segment that complements the talk portion on Susta...

This week, Andrew explores the connection between tending a garden and cultivating the mind. Drawing on the Buddha’s teaching of wise effort, he reflects on how mindfulness, curiosity, energy, and calm work together to create the conditions for growth. Rather than forcing change, the practice becomes one of learning how to care for the mind with balance and intention.

Prompt: What is your favorite part of gardening or spring in bloom?

Talk segment that complements the sit portion on Tending a Garden

Group Da...

This week, Andrew explores the connection between tending a garden and cultivating the mind. Drawing on the Buddha’s teaching of wise effort, he reflects on how mindfulness, curiosity, energy, and calm work together to create the conditions for growth. Rather than forcing change, the practice becomes one of learning how to care for the mind with balance and intention.

Prompt: What is your favorite part of gardening or spring in bloom?

Sitting segment that complements the talk portion on Tending a Garden

Group Da...

This week, Olivia explores how the Five Hindrances show up within wise effort as different patterns of energy in the mind—shaping how we relate to focus, resistance, and motivation in real time. Rather than forcing through or shutting down, she invites a more responsive approach, learning to recognize what’s present and meet it with the kind of care and adjustment that supports steadiness and balance.

Prompt: If the energy of your mind right now was a drink, what drink would it be?

Talk segment that complements the sit...

This week, Olivia explores how the Five Hindrances show up within wise effort as different patterns of energy in the mind—shaping how we relate to focus, resistance, and motivation in real time. Rather than forcing through or shutting down, she invites a more responsive approach, learning to recognize what’s present and meet it with the kind of care and adjustment that supports steadiness and balance.

Prompt: If the energy of your mind right now was a drink, what drink would it be?

Sitting segment that complements the talk...

This week, Olivia introduces Wise Effort as a shift away from striving and productivity toward a more balanced, caring way of relating to experience. She explores how effort can be guided by awareness—gently shaping what we cultivate through the Four Great Efforts rather than forcing outcomes. Ultimately, she invites a more sustainable practice rooted in returning to the present with steadiness, rather than pressure or self-judgment.

Prompt: What is something in your life that requires a lot of effort? Does it bring you closer or further away from peace?

...

This week, Olivia introduces Wise Effort as a shift away from striving and productivity toward a more balanced, caring way of relating to experience. She explores how effort can be guided by awareness—gently shaping what we cultivate through the Four Great Efforts rather than forcing outcomes. Ultimately, she invites a more sustainable practice rooted in returning to the present with steadiness, rather than pressure or self-judgment.

Prompt: What is something in your life that requires a lot of effort? Does it bring you closer or further away from peace?

...

In this talk, Andrew explores the Four Noble Truths not as philosophical ideas, but as practical tasks to be lived and experienced. Drawing from mindfulness, psychology, and early Buddhist teachings, he breaks down how suffering arises, how it can be understood, and what freedom actually looks like in everyday life.

Prompt: What is something admittedly silly (ridiculous etc.) that your mind gets lost in on a regular basis?

Talk segment that complements the sit portion on The 4 Noble Truths

Group Date: 3/24/2026

In this talk, Andrew explores the Four Noble Truths not as philosophical ideas, but as practical tasks to be lived and experienced. Drawing from mindfulness, psychology, and early Buddhist teachings, he breaks down how suffering arises, how it can be understood, and what freedom actually looks like in everyday life.

Prompt: What is something admittedly silly (ridiculous etc.) that your mind gets lost in on a regular basis?

Sitting segment that complements the talk portion on The 4 Noble Truths

Group Date: 3/24/2026

Today Olivia explores the Seven Factors of Awakening as qualities of mind that support clarity, balance, and freedom, rather than obstacles to overcome. We learn that these qualities—like curiosity, energy, calm, and equanimity—are already within us and can be recognized and strengthened through mindful awareness. Over time, practicing with them doesn’t just shape our meditation, but gradually transforms how we relate to our everyday lives.

Prompt: What is something that you’re cultivating in this season of your life?

Talk segment that complements the sit portion on The 7...

Today Olivia explores the Seven Factors of Awakening as qualities of mind that support clarity, balance, and freedom, rather than obstacles to overcome. We learn that these qualities—like curiosity, energy, calm, and equanimity—are already within us and can be recognized and strengthened through mindful awareness. Over time, practicing with them doesn’t just shape our meditation, but gradually transforms how we relate to our everyday lives.

Prompt: What is something that you’re cultivating in this season of your life?

Sitting segment that complements the talk portion on The 7...

This week, Andrew reflects on the Buddha’s teaching that the entirety of our lived experience unfolds through six sense doors. When we look closely at the moment of contact between the senses and the world, we begin to see how the cycle of craving forms—and how awareness can gently interrupt that pattern. The talk explores how mindfulness at the sense doors can become a doorway to liberation.

Prompt: What is an evocative sense experience for you?

Talk segment that complements the sit portion on The Six Sense Sphe...

This week, Andrew reflects on the Buddha’s teaching that the entirety of our lived experience unfolds through six sense doors. When we look closely at the moment of contact between the senses and the world, we begin to see how the cycle of craving forms—and how awareness can gently interrupt that pattern. The talk explores how mindfulness at the sense doors can become a doorway to liberation.

Prompt: What is an evocative sense experience for you?

Sitting segment that complements the talk portion on The Six Sense Sphe...

Olivia explores the Five Aggregates as a way the Buddha invited us to look closely at what we call a “self,” seeing it not as something solid but as a collection of changing experiences. By examining the body, feeling tone, perception, mental patterns, and awareness, we begin to understand how reactivity and suffering take shape. When we see these processes more clearly, there’s more space, compassion, and ease in how we move through our lives.

Prompt: What is one perception of you, that you have taken on as an identity? This could align with h...

Olivia explores the Five Aggregates as a way the Buddha invited us to look closely at what we call a “self,” seeing it not as something solid but as a collection of changing experiences. By examining the body, feeling tone, perception, mental patterns, and awareness, we begin to understand how reactivity and suffering take shape. When we see these processes more clearly, there’s more space, compassion, and ease in how we move through our lives.

Prompt: What is one perception of you, that you have taken on as an identity? This could align with h...

This week Andrew explores the Five Hindrances through the lens of mindfulness, inviting us to see craving, aversion, restlessness, lethargy, and doubt not as failures, but as deeply human experiences that can become gateways to insight and liberation. Drawing on classical Buddhist metaphors, modern everyday examples, and the wisdom of Tuere Sala, Andrew reflects on how these mind states shape our lived experience, how they show up in meditation and daily life, and how learning to stay present with them can lead to clarity, compassion, and trust in the path.

Prompt: What is the...

This week Andrew explores the Five Hindrances through the lens of mindfulness, inviting us to see craving, aversion, restlessness, lethargy, and doubt not as failures, but as deeply human experiences that can become gateways to insight and liberation. Drawing on classical Buddhist metaphors, modern everyday examples, and the wisdom of Tuere Sala, Andrew reflects on how these mind states shape our lived experience, how they show up in meditation and daily life, and how learning to stay present with them can lead to clarity, compassion, and trust in the path.

Prompt: What is the...

Olivia introduces mindfulness of dhammas as the practice of recognizing patterns in experience rather than taking our thoughts and emotions as personal identity. It explores the shift from simply noticing what is happening to gently investigating how experiences arise, unfold, and pass, while holding accountability and agency with care. Finally, it offers a brief look at how we’ll continue exploring these patterns together in the weeks ahead as a way of deepening insight and easing suffering.

Prompt: What’s one thought that repeats in your head? Don’t say it out loud. If you co...

Olivia introduces mindfulness of dhammas as the practice of recognizing patterns in experience rather than taking our thoughts and emotions as personal identity. It explores the shift from simply noticing what is happening to gently investigating how experiences arise, unfold, and pass, while holding accountability and agency with care. Finally, it offers a brief look at how we’ll continue exploring these patterns together in the weeks ahead as a way of deepening insight and easing suffering.

Prompt: What’s one thought that repeats in your head? Don’t say it out loud. If you co...

This week Andrew explores mindfulness of the mind as a practical, lived path to freedom that unfolds in everyday awareness. Drawing from Buddhist teachings and modern psychology, he invites us to see the mind not as who we are, but as a constantly changing stream of thoughts and mental states shaped by craving, aversion, and confusion. By observing impermanence, not-self, and the unsatisfying nature of grasping, the practice shifts our relationship to thoughts from identification to awareness. Through noticing both when the mind is caught and when it is free, and bringing this inquiry into daily life, habitual patterns...

This week Andrew explores mindfulness of the mind as a practical, lived path to freedom that unfolds in everyday awareness. Drawing from Buddhist teachings and modern psychology, he invites us to see the mind not as who we are, but as a constantly changing stream of thoughts and mental states shaped by craving, aversion, and confusion. By observing impermanence, not-self, and the unsatisfying nature of grasping, the practice shifts our relationship to thoughts from identification to awareness. Through noticing both when the mind is caught and when it is free, and bringing this inquiry into daily life, habitual patterns...

This week Olivia explores mindfulness of the body through the lens of the elements, inviting us to experience the body not as a fixed “thing,” but as living qualities of nature felt directly in sensation. She reflects on how recognizing these elemental experiences can soften the deeply rooted “I am” thinking that fuels comparison, attachment, and conceit. By widening our view to the impermanence of the elements within us and in the world around us, she connects this practice to the Buddha’s teachings on impermanence, not-self, and suffering.

Prompt: What element do you feel conne...

This week Olivia explores mindfulness of the body through the lens of the elements, inviting us to experience the body not as a fixed “thing,” but as living qualities of nature felt directly in sensation. She reflects on how recognizing these elemental experiences can soften the deeply rooted “I am” thinking that fuels comparison, attachment, and conceit. By widening our view to the impermanence of the elements within us and in the world around us, she connects this practice to the Buddha’s teachings on impermanence, not-self, and suffering.

Prompt: What element do you feel conne...

Andrew explores Mindfulness of the Body through the lens of the Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta, focusing on its grounding, calming, and stabilizing qualities. Drawing from early Buddhist teachings and lived experience, this talk highlights the body as a refuge, a place of return, and a powerful support for presence and collectedness in daily life.

Through direct sutta readings and embodied reflection, listeners are invited to slow down, set things down, and reconnect with the simplicity of knowing the body as it is.

Prompt: What is your earliest memory of an embodied experience? Playi...

Andrew explores Mindfulness of the Body through the lens of the Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta, focusing on its grounding, calming, and stabilizing qualities. Drawing from early Buddhist teachings and lived experience, this talk highlights the body as a refuge, a place of return, and a powerful support for presence and collectedness in daily life.

Through direct sutta readings and embodied reflection, listeners are invited to slow down, set things down, and reconnect with the simplicity of knowing the body as it is.

Prompt: What is your earliest memory of an embodied experience? Playi...

This week Olivia introduces a new series exploring mindfulness as a path to insight through Joseph Goldstein’s Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Awakening, grounding the practice in the Buddha’s teachings on the Four Foundations of Mindfulness. It reframes mindfulness not as a relaxation technique, but as a systematic, ethical training of the mind that requires dedication, investigation, and clear knowing. Drawing from both modern science and ancient tradition, the talk highlights how mindfulness asks more of us than simple presence and leads beyond stress reduction toward wisdom and liberation. Ultimately, it reassures practitioners that their effort is not...

This week Olivia introduces a new series exploring mindfulness as a path to insight through Joseph Goldstein’s Mindfulness: A Practical Guide to Awakening, grounding the practice in the Buddha’s teachings on the Four Foundations of Mindfulness. It reframes mindfulness not as a relaxation technique, but as a systematic, ethical training of the mind that requires dedication, investigation, and clear knowing. Drawing from both modern science and ancient tradition, the talk highlights how mindfulness asks more of us than simple presence and leads beyond stress reduction toward wisdom and liberation. Ultimately, it reassures practitioners that their effort is not...

This week, Andrew explores why life can feel like the same week repeating over and over, always telling ourselves, “After this, things will slow down.” Drawing on Buddhist teachings on samsara, he looks at how modern clock time fuels urgency, productivity, and endless becoming, keeping us caught in familiar cycles of stress and postponement. Rather than teaching us how to get more time, the Buddha pointed to a way of releasing the heart from time’s pressure and touching a freedom that is available here and now.

Prompt: What is a pattern that you repeat...

This week, Andrew explores why life can feel like the same week repeating over and over, always telling ourselves, “After this, things will slow down.” Drawing on Buddhist teachings on samsara, he looks at how modern clock time fuels urgency, productivity, and endless becoming, keeping us caught in familiar cycles of stress and postponement. Rather than teaching us how to get more time, the Buddha pointed to a way of releasing the heart from time’s pressure and touching a freedom that is available here and now.

Prompt: What is a pattern that you repeat...

This week Olivia reflected on how much of our stress around time comes not from the hours we have, but from our desire for more and the self-judgment that follows. She explored dukkha dukkha and the second arrow, showing how craving, aversion, and unrealistic expectations layer extra suffering onto our days. By loosening our grip on plans, softening self-blame, and meeting ourselves with compassion, we can relate to time with more ease.

Prompt: What do you wish you had more time for?

Talk segment that complements the sit portion...

​​This week Olivia reflected on how much of our stress around time comes not from the hours we have, but from our desire for more and the self-judgment that follows. She explored dukkha dukkha and the second arrow, showing how craving, aversion, and unrealistic expectations layer extra suffering onto our days. By loosening our grip on plans, softening self-blame, and meeting ourselves with compassion, we can relate to time with more ease.

Prompt: What do you wish you had more time for?

Sitting segment that complements the talk portion on t...

In this concluding talk, we explore the two worldly winds at the heart of nearly every human experience: pleasure and pain. Drawing from the Lokavipatti Sutta (AN 8.6), we look at what the Buddha meant when he said the world “revolves around” these conditions, and how our constant chasing of pleasure and avoidance of pain keeps the cycle of saṃsāra spinning.

Rather than rejecting these experiences, the Buddha invites us to step off the hedonic treadmill by transforming our relationship to them—recognizing their impermanence, feeling them fully, and not being pushed and pulled by every emotional...

In this concluding talk, we explore the two worldly winds at the heart of nearly every human experience: pleasure and pain. Drawing from the Lokavipatti Sutta (AN 8.6), we look at what the Buddha meant when he said the world “revolves around” these conditions, and how our constant chasing of pleasure and avoidance of pain keeps the cycle of saṃsāra spinning.

Rather than rejecting these experiences, the Buddha invites us to step off the hedonic treadmill by transforming our relationship to them—recognizing their impermanence, feeling them fully, and not being pushed and pulled by every emotional...

This week Olivia discusses the worldly winds of praise and blame, exploring how these forces shape our inner world, how clinging to them deepens suffering, and how grounding in humility and integrity can offer steady footing when approval or criticism arise.

Prompt: If you had a angel (praise) and devil (blame) on your shoulder, what do they say to you?

Talk segment that complements the sit portion on Praise and Blame

Group Date: 11/18/2025

This week Olivia discusses the worldly winds of praise and blame, exploring how these forces shape our inner world, how clinging to them deepens suffering, and how grounding in humility and integrity can offer steady footing when approval or criticism arise.

Prompt: If you had a angel (praise) and devil (blame) on your shoulder, what do they say to you?

Sitting segment that complements the talk portion on Praise and Blame

Group Date: 11/18/2025