n this Dharma Talk, Sister D speaks directly to teenagers—and to the “teen” in all of us—about the challenges of growing up human in an age dominated by screens, devices, and artificial intelligence. She begins with a simple yet profound question: “Are you human right now, or are you becoming more like a robot?”

Through stories from a recent teaching tour across the U.S., she shares how children and teens are increasingly affected by electronics—sometimes so anxious that they cannot speak, sometimes so numbed that they seem more like machines than people. With compassion and humor, she illustrates how overuse of technology reshapes the brain, weakens our ability to communicate, and distances us from our deepest human needs: to love, to be loved, and to be free.

Drawing on both Buddhist wisdom and modern science, Sister D introduces the Buddha’s teaching on the Four Kinds of People:

Those who do not care for their own well-being or others’ well-being.
Those who care for others but neglect themselves.
Those who care for themselves but not others.
Those who care for both themselves and others.

She explains that true balance and happiness come when we learn to be our own soulmate—caring for our body, breath, and emotions with mindfulness. From this foundation, we naturally become a soulmate to others through loving speech, deep listening, and compassionate action.