Diamonds in the dirt

Dear fellow practitioners,

Having recently returned from leading a Pilgrimage in Northern India I am excited to be able to share the first of one of the talks given at the Holy Sites. 

The subject of asking for forgiveness is a delicate one. Many people feel reluctant to have an honest look at their faults. Perhaps we fear that what we will find will harm our self-esteem which can already be quite challenged? Being able to admit when we have made a mistake… and being able to look at our weak points with an objective awareness that is motivated by Compassion however, can actually be an incredible gift to oneself. For it is in seeing these things clearly that we can train ourselves to improve and to do better, and in doing so we become happier and have much less suffering.

This talk was given on the evening before I lead an asking for forgiveness ceremony at the Bodhi Tree in Bodhgaya. The actual ceremony is also included at the very end of the talk. I hope that listeners are able to feel some of the power and purity of the atmosphere and that this is encouraging for you.

​With Loving-Kindness    

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Ajahn Achalo Bhikkhu

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Listen to the Talk