In this New Year Dhamma talk, Bhante Joe reflects on goal-setting in Buddhism and why the Buddha’s training revolves around a clear aim: Nibbāna, the end of suffering. He explains how effective spiritual goals rely on balancing two vital capacities—the rational faculty (breaking a large aim into realistic, workable steps) and the intuitive faculty (recognizing opportunities and obstacles as kamma ripens). Using practical analogies such as “candy goals” versus nourishing goals and the logic of wise investment, he encourages prioritizing virtue (sīla), generosity (dāna), and meditation (bhāvanā)—goals that give lasting returns, build momentum, and support progress on the path to liberation.
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TIMESTAMPS
0:00 — New Year’s Greeting & Setting Intentions
0:25 — Buddhism as a Goal-Based Path: Nibbāna as the Aim
0:35 — The Buddha’s Quest: Ending Rebirth and Suffering
1:06 — Two Keys to Achieving Goals: Rational Mind + Intuition
1:24 — Break Big Goals into Small Steps (Making Nibbāna Practical)
2:22 — Realistic Goal-Setting: Why Awakening Is Possible (But Not “Tomorrow”)
3:00 — Kamma & Determination: Mysterious Openings and Obstacles
3:50 — Rational Planning vs Intuitive Navigation (The “Big City” Metaphor)
4:09 — Taking Stock: Wholesome & Unwholesome Qualities (Personal Sub-Goals)
5:10 — Generosity Done Wisely: Learning from Success and Mistakes
5:56 — Balance Simile: Walking Smoothly with Both “Feet”
6:29 — Why We Do Everything: Happiness vs Suffering (The Hidden Driver)
7:03 — “Candy-Bar Goals” vs Nourishing Goals (Short-Term vs Long-Term Benefit)
8:25 — The Investment Metaphor: Compounding Returns Through Practice
9:26 — Best New Year Resolutions: Meditation, Generosity, Virtue
10:13 — Thai Forest Goal Tips: Why Truthfulness Builds Power
10:26 — Keeping Promises Creates Momentum (Externally and Internally)
11:32 — The Prince Simile: When Nibbāna Starts to Feel Within Reach
12:46 — Why Goal-Setting Matters in Buddhism (The Buddha as Supremely Goal-Oriented)
13:18 — New Year Determinations: Choosing High-Priority Goals
14:04 — The Best Aim: Determinations for the Ending of Suffering