The following talk was given at the Insight Meditation Center in Redwood City, California.

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Dear community, dear Saga.

I think you heard the bell, I hope.

Anyway, that was my hope at the end of the practice

to do this toggle that's needed to hear outside sounds,

including bells and birdsong, etc.

It sounds like it did come through.

Beautiful.

So to continue today with our theme of Sanka community.

So, oh yes, and two bells, both the church bell as well as my verbal bell,

because I don't have my handy, a Tibetan bell with me.

Yeah.

So we're continuing with the theme of Sangha community, Kalianamitta, beautiful friendships as part of the path, as the entirety of the path, not just the luxury, but 100% of the path as the Buddha said, not 50% as ananded thought.

So, yesterday we talked about Friends of the Heart, Suha Daya, the helper, the enduring companion in the times of happiness and sorrow, the good counsel,

and the compassionate friend, the four different types of friend.

We also talked about the Upakaraka mita, that was the Suhadaya mitaita, Upakharaka Mita, who's the

friend, assistant companion who points out your faults with kindness, celebrates your progress,

and reminds you of the Dharma in challenging times.

So today I want to switch to the topic of putting oneself in the place of another,

and that was an invitation that I brought in to our guided meditation,

to explore that, to try that on for size.

...