We're Not Who We Think We Are

Part V in a Series on the Five Conditions for Release Every year so, reflecting on earlier periods of my life, I have thought, "Boy, I was pretty foolish then. I had a lot to learn." After many years of making this observation, it has finally started to dawn on me that, perhaps, this moment, right now, will be one I reflect back on soon and think, "Boy was I foolish, I had a lot to learn." This week's talk is on Wisdom, the 5th condition for the release of the heart. It is the final talk in this series. Wisdom, in this tradition, is seeing that everything is arising and passing: our minds, our bodies, our friends, our possessions, and our ideas of who we are. This talk was given at the Riverside Meditation Community, Brookmont Church, on Sunday, October 11, 2026. This is the last of five talks on the Meghiya Sutta’s conditions for the release of the heart: sitting together, treating each other well, hearing good teachings, practicing them, and wisdom. Question for the week: What things about yourself seemed permanent that no longer do? Texts & references • Meghiya Sutta (Udāna 4.1): the five conditions that ripen the heart for release. https://suttacentral.net/ud4.1 • Anattalakkhaṇa Sutta (SN 22.59): “not mine, not I, not my self.” https://suttacentral.net/sn22.59 • Sakalika Sutta (SN 1.38): the Buddha stays steady when a rock splinter cuts his foot. https://suttacentral.net/sn1.38 • Rabbi Simcha Bunim of Peshischa: two slips of paper, “For my sake the world was created” and “I am but dust and ashes.” • Dōgen: “intimacy with all things” (attributed). Photo by Jez Timms (https://unsplash.com/@jeztimms?utm_so...) on Unsplash (https://unsplash.com/photos/macro-pho...) #Buddhism #Meditation #Impermanence #DharmaTalk #Wisdom #InsightMeditation #Mindfulness #NotSelf #LettingGo