Roots and Branches: 

Foundations & Life Practice

Free Every Thursday | 7:00 - 8:00 PM Eastern Time

How to Join

Click back to the Online Teachings page and register with the quick form at the bottom to receive one Zoom link for all of this winter's programs.

All times are Eastern Time Zone (New York, USA). 

NOTE: We turn our clocks ahead one hour on March 8 when Daylight Savings Time ends. 

Jan. 22  

Foundations & Daily Practice

We began with loving-kindness chanting as a form of practice. Then we had a teaching on how to begin or renew a daily meditation habit by identifying ourselves as people who meditate in a kind, realistic way.

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Jan. 29

Posture, Breath, and a Friendly Attitude

We look at posture options, working with discomfort, and letting meditation be “good enough.” We introduce a simple breath technique or anchor in a low-pressure way, emphasizing friendliness toward oneself as the foundation of sustainable practice.

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Feb. 5

Building a Daily Practice You Can Actually Keep

We return to habit-building: small, consistent sits, linking practice to daily cues, and viewing yourself as “someone who meditates.” We explore what gets in the way and how to relate to lapses without harshness or giving up.

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Feb. 12

Working with Restlessness, Worry & News Overload

We name common hindrances in everyday language, focusing on restlessness and worry—including agitation related to news and world events. We explore simple ways to recognize these patterns, soften them, and not take them so personally.

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Feb. 19

Ethics, Speech & Emotional Clarity

We explore how living in line with basic ethical principles, especially around speech (online and in person), supports a steady heart. We reflect on how ethical alignment reduces inner conflict and helps emotional clarity and confidence grow.

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Feb. 26

Mindfulness in Work, Study, and Daily Routines

A very practical evening on bringing awareness into email, meetings, caregiving, study, and chores. We explore “micro-practices” and how small pauses can help prevent deeper burnout and keep practice connected to ordinary life.

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Mar. 5

Calm, Insight & Everyday Decisions

We look at how calm and insight work together in daily choices. We explore noticing what leads to more calm versus more agitation as a form of insight, and how this kind of discernment can gradually shape a wiser, kinder life.

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Mar. 12

Craving, Compulsive Habits & Gentle Renunciation

We explore everyday craving and habits—such as overworking, scrolling, or constant stimulation—without pathologizing. We consider small experiments in letting go or simplifying and how gentle renunciation can bring more ease and freedom.

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Mar. 19

Meaning, Direction, and a Life Shaped by Practice

We reflect on questions like “What kind of person do I want to be?” rather than “What should I achieve?” We explore how practice can quietly reorient our priorities in work, study, and relationships over time.

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Mar. 26

Looking Back, Looking Forward

We look back over the winter, noticing what has shifted and what remains challenging. We revisit the theme of living as “someone who lives with meditation” and invite each person to consider simple, realistic next steps to carry practice onward.