Talks at Ajahn Anan's Retreats

Dhamma Talks Given at Ajahn Anan's Online Retreats

by Ajahn Achalo

2.05 - Retreat at Wat Marp Jan, July 2023

EMPOWERING FAITH, NOURISHING RESOLVE -

Ajahn discusses the subject of cultivating, deepening Faith, and then applying the good energy that comes from this in useful ways. Learning how to apply a more consistent and diligent effort as a consequence of having deep conviction and confidence in both the goal and one's ability to realize it.
- 21 July 2023

MAINTAINING CLARITY, JOY AND PEACE -

This talk, given on the last day of a 9 day online retreat, gives some perspective as well as useful pointers, with regards to progressing steadily in the gradual training towards complete liberation of mind.
- 23 July 2023

2.04 - Reflective Meditations

Reflective Meditations -
Utilizing the Thinking Mind

A talk and Q&A at Wat Marp Jan on the occasion of Ajahn Anan's birthday.

- 30 March 2023

Q1: May I know how can one start to train patient endurance? If one does not have any virtue, [does it mean] one cannot practice patient endurance?

Q2: Virtues mean high moral standards. How can one develop virtues?

Q3: How can I start to integrate meditation practice in my daily life when I feel I am still a slave to my cravings and often fall into their control and indulge in them?

Q4: How can I apply metta to myself and others and really mean it, when it comes to practicing in the sangha community. There is a difficult member in the sangha and saying may he or she be well is not working at least in my case it seems.

Q5: How do we train to rejoice in others’ good fortune when we are having a bad time in our life?

Q6: What is your advice on doubt regarding which tradition to follow?

Q7: You spoke about developing equanimity [towards dukkha]. How can we practice this if the dukkha is overwhelming and we just want to escape the pain?

Q8: If I am unable to control my craving for food, does it mean I do not have virtue? I find myself gobbling down food and then it is never enough. I always tell myself it will be the last time but the cycle repeats tomorrow.

Q9: Could you give more detail about how to make an aspiration for one’s next life? [example given]

2.03 - The Practice of Forgiveness

The Practice of Forgiveness
09 February 2023

Forgiveness Practice Supporting Insight -
From an online retreat at Wat Marp Jan, Day-3 Afternoon

Q1: Regarding metta, do we keep repeating and radiating out the metta until we achieve concentration?

Q2: When your mind is not pure, how effective is that loving kindness to others? How pure do we have to be to spread metta?

Q3: When I meet difficult persons, it seems very difficult to generate loving kindness

Q4: How can I know if I have really forgiven myself?

Q5: Can you please elaborate on using gestures to forgive ourselves.

Q6: In metta practice, may we include teachers who have passed away, as well as beings in nibanna?

Q7: Is it OK to meditate using metta for a little while and then anapanasati for 40-45 minutes and finish with Buddha anussati?

Q8: I am a busy wife and mother and I feel angry with myself when I cannot find the time to cultivate. How can I find the balance?