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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

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!)

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

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!)

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!)

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

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

Hi everyone,

Here is the talk I gave on Right Intention at River Road Unitarian Church on February 4th. I hope you find it helpful.

Upcoming Offerings:

Retreat

March 12 - 15, Madison, VA: “The Path of the Restful Warrior” is a residential Insight meditation retreat that I’m teaching with Dechen Ellen McSweeney. Click here for more information and registration.

Drop-in Classes

February 23rd, 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM, St. Marks Capitol Hill, 301 A St SE, Washington, DC 20003. More info

March 25th, 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM, River Road Unitarian Church, 6301 River Rd, Bethesda, MD 20817 More info

April 12th, 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM, Yoga District, 1910 14th St NW, Washington, DC 20009 More Info

April 22nd, 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM, River Road Unitarian Church, 6301 River Rd, Bethesda, MD 20817 More info

Photo by Steven Weeks on Unsplash

Hi everyone,

This is a talk on Right Speech and its place in the Eightfold Path that I gave at Downtown Dharma on January 4th, 2026. The recording also includes the Q&A that followed the talk.

Also, I learned last night that the audio posts I have been sending out are also podcasts, published to Apple Podcasts and Spotify and elsewhere. In order to make it easier to find them across the web, I gave the podcast a title. It’s called “Dharma &” beacuse it is about the Buddha’s teachings, which are often called the Dharma, as well as other related topics like therapy and mental health and my struggles getting small children into the bathtub. I hope you find it helpful.

Upcoming Offerings:

January 7th, 7:00 PM to 8:30 PM: Drop in class at River Road Unitarian Church, 6301 River Rd, Bethesda, MD 20817.

March 12th - March 15th: Residential retreat in the Insight Meditation tradition. Seven Oaks Retreat Center, Madison, VA. To learn more or register follow this link: https://imcw.org/event/?eventId=1678

Photo by Niek Doup on Unsplash

Hi friends,

This is a recording of the talk I gave last night at River Road Unitarian as well as the Q&A that followed. The subject is Right Action and Its Place in the Eightfold Path. I hope you find it beneficial!

Upcoming Events

3-Day Meditation Retreat in the foothills of the Shenandoah Mountains

A meditation retreat is a chance to learn how your mind works, experience the peace that comes from collected mental energy, and to open your heart. If that is of interest to you, consider joining me and my co-teacher Dechen Ellen McSweeney for a 3-day medtiation retreat March 12-15 in the Insight Tradition. It’s a rare opportunity to step out of the rhythms of daily life and see what happens to a mind that is allowed to settle. Having appreciated retreats as a student for many years, I am happy to be able to offer the experience to others for the second year in a row. For details and registration information please visit https://imcw.org/event/?eventId=1678

Drop In Class:

January 7th 7:00 - 8:30 PM, River Road Unitarian Church, 6301 River Rd., Bethesda, MD

Dharma talk on Right Livelihood given on 12-1-25 at Downtown Dharma, hosted by Yoga District on 14th street.

Hi friends,

Here is the talk I gave last night at the River Road Unitarian Church on Right Effort and Its Place in the Eightfold Path. It’s about how to invite the dharma into every aspect of our lives, gently, moment-by-moment. The recording also includes the Q&A that followed the talk.

Upcoming Offerings

Residential Retreat: I’m happy to let you know that registration is now open for a 3-night residential retreat that I am offering with my teaching partner Dechen Ellen McSweeney at Seven Oaks in Madison, VA March 12-15.

Drop In Classes:

November 30th, Downtown Dharma, 7:00 - 8:30 PM, Yoga District, 1910 14th St, NW Washington, DC

December 7th, River Road Unitarian Church, 7:00 - 8:30 PM, River Road Unitarian Church, 6301 River Rd., Bethesda, MD

January 4th, Downtown Dharma, 7:00 - 8:30 PM, Yoga District, 1910 14th St, NW Washington, DC

January 7th, River Road Unitarian Church, 7:00 - 8:30 PM, River Road Unitarian Church, 6301 River Rd., Bethesda, MD

April 12th, Downtown Dharma, 7:00 - 8:30 PM, Yoga District, 1910 14th St, NW Washington, DC

I’ll probably add a few more teaching dates in February and March and will email a revised schedule when those are set.

Samma Sati, often translated as Right Mindfulness, is the seventh aspect of the eightfold path. Mindfulness, in some respects, is the element of the path that gets the most attention in Western culture, and yet is is a concept that is burdened with many denotations and connotations that it was never intended to carry. Last night’s talk at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church on Capitol Hill explored the simple and powerful quality of mindfulness, as well as its place within the larger framework of the Buddha’s teachings.

Photo by Brad Switzer on Unsplash

Hi friends,

Here’s the talk I gave last night at the River Road Unitarian Church. It’s about the journey to (and from) a quiet mind.

With love and blessings,

Devin

Hi friends,

I gave this talk last night at River Road. I hope you enjoy it.

Upcoming Events:

I’m offering a two-day non-residential retreat in Glen Echo, MD on October 11th and 12th with my friend and colleague Ellen McSweeney. You can learn more and register here. https://www.futurevessel.art/events

My next drop in class is at Yoga District on 14th St. with Downtown Dharma on Sunday September 7th from 7:00 - 8:30 PM.

I’ll be back at the River Road Unitarian Church on Wednesday September 17th from 7:00 - 8:30 PM.

This is the recording of the talk I gave Wednesday evening at the IMCW meditation class at the River Road Unitarian Church. I’ll be teaching there monthly. It’s worth coming in person if you can. The group discussions, which are not recorded, are full of love and humor and wisdom.

This talk is on the second noble truth, described with a story about giving my kids honeysuckle nectar and their quest for more. I hope you find it helpful.

Photo by Kara Skye on Unsplash

This is the dharma talk and meditation from a class I taught last Wednesday (I’ll be teaching there again this Wednesday).

The talk is about defining dukkha. I pointed out that after 2,600 years, there still isn’t an agreement about what exactly dukkha refers to or how we would define it in English, despite the fact that it is the cornerstone of the most foundational teaching in the Pali Canon. Rather than engage in an intellectual exercise, I invited participants to use a meditation technique developed by Eugene Gendlin, a psychotherapist, called “Clearing the Space.” I find that the technique brings us right up to our deepest understanding of the nature of dukkha, and the possibility of freedom. This technique was taught to me by Jonathan Foust and I am glad to be able to share it with you. Many blessings.

Photo by Matt Hardy on Unsplas

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