Livestream Recordings |
Online Meetings January to March 2023
15 March 2023
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Questions
Q1: Out of the 37 Wings of Awakening, wisdom appears only twice, in the 5 Spiritual Faculties and the 5 Spiritual Powers, which are identical. Do you have any thoughts on why wisdom is not mentioned more often in the 37 Wings, and did the Buddha talk much about wisdom in the suttas?
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Q2: My mother had brain surgery to remove a lump in her brain 17 years ago. After a few months she asked me: 'Do I have cancer?' I said 'No', knowing very well that it was a lie. Have I broken the 4th precept? My Mum passed on one year after the operation.
Q3: If I pick fruits from plants grown on the roadside, am I breaking the second precept?
Q4: My understanding is that one has to first be very mindful in all things that one is doing before one can then proceed to the next stage - for instance experiencing rapture, happiness, tranquillity, etc… is this right?
Q5: I can see that I don’t have deep samadhi yet. I am still working on improving my concentration ability. However, I see some improvements within me, in that I am able to see my defilements on a daily basis. Although it’s often in hindsight, after much reflection then I will be able see the defilements. How can I learn to witness these defilements before, or as they arise, rather than after?
Q6: Recently when I brought my daughters to offer meal dana to an Ajahn in person, there was a feeling of inner contentment, comfort, happiness, peace and joy within me. It was a feeling of deep contentment, if only I could feel this every day! My question is, were those feelings that I experienced like an absorption state?
Q7: Over the years in my practice I continue to struggle with my attachment and clinging to relationships in my life, especially my family of origin. I have the head knowledge of how this causes my suffering and although I have been mindful and diligent in trying to detach, I continue to be swayed and impacted by the pain of past experiences. I am also attached to relationships when they feel positive. Could you please offer insight. Thank you.
Q3: If I pick fruits from plants grown on the roadside, am I breaking the second precept?
Q4: My understanding is that one has to first be very mindful in all things that one is doing before one can then proceed to the next stage - for instance experiencing rapture, happiness, tranquillity, etc… is this right?
Q5: I can see that I don’t have deep samadhi yet. I am still working on improving my concentration ability. However, I see some improvements within me, in that I am able to see my defilements on a daily basis. Although it’s often in hindsight, after much reflection then I will be able see the defilements. How can I learn to witness these defilements before, or as they arise, rather than after?
Q6: Recently when I brought my daughters to offer meal dana to an Ajahn in person, there was a feeling of inner contentment, comfort, happiness, peace and joy within me. It was a feeling of deep contentment, if only I could feel this every day! My question is, were those feelings that I experienced like an absorption state?
Q7: Over the years in my practice I continue to struggle with my attachment and clinging to relationships in my life, especially my family of origin. I have the head knowledge of how this causes my suffering and although I have been mindful and diligent in trying to detach, I continue to be swayed and impacted by the pain of past experiences. I am also attached to relationships when they feel positive. Could you please offer insight. Thank you.
25 January 2023
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Questions
Q1: When practicing anapanasati, my mind automatically moves from being aware of the breath to being aware of just sensations below the nose - possibly from many years practicing a vipassana technique. Is it ok to just switch to physical sensations at that spot? Or, do I try to remain with breath?
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Q2: Dear Ajahn, from the talk you gave in Bodhgaya about the 37 factors for awakening, I am wondering how to use these factors in the practise on and off the cushion. Does it make sense to focus on the Noble Eightfold Path, trusting that the other factors gradually will be developed through this practise.
Q3: How do we know if we are stuck in a meditation? It could just be that our progress in meditation is rather subtle or slow, right? Many Thanks.
Q4: What is the purpose of meditation besides being free of the 5 clinging aggregates? How does it benefit someone else?
Q3: How do we know if we are stuck in a meditation? It could just be that our progress in meditation is rather subtle or slow, right? Many Thanks.
Q4: What is the purpose of meditation besides being free of the 5 clinging aggregates? How does it benefit someone else?
16 January 2023
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Pilgrimage to Ajanta and Ellora Caves, India
Ajahn describes his visit to these two ancient religious sites in Maharashtra.
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12 January 2023
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Completing a 4000 hours meditation vow in Bodhgaya
Background to Ajahn's vow and a slide show with commentary.
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