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Questions & Answers

Introduction

Whenever in the position of offering reflections or teachings, it would seem that the best that one can ever do is to come from the sincere intention of sharing what you think is useful or relevant, according to your own experience - or from what you have studied or heard from beings who are more wise. Sometimes though, people are struggling with doubts in areas that one might never have guessed or even imagined! Recognising this, whenever I find myself in the teachers role I always allow for a session of Questions and Answers, giving people the chance to ask their question out aloud, or to write it more discreetly on a piece of paper to be read out before the group. These Q and A sessions are often scheduled at the end of the day in a retreat situation, and offer a unique chance for the meditators to “get out of their own heads,” by witnessing a portion of the curious mental formations that have been ruminating in the minds of the other yogis! Often times the questions are related to subjects that are relevant to all.

This more interactive mode of teaching can be a good way to stimulate the teachers memory of good teachings once heard that may have become buried with time, or perhaps one remembers a relevant story that illustrates a useful example. It can be quite challenging and you can feel quite exposed having your knowledge and understanding probed in full public view. But in my own experience it is also an excellent way for the teacher to test his or her own understanding, and in this way the students and teachers are learning from one another in a dynamic and inter-related manner.

There is often a wonderful liveliness as people pay very close attention and the spirit of true investigation and contemplation quickens in the air.  Occasionally the questions seem a little strange yet at other times they are very poignant. The challenge is always to answer the question in a way that is both honest and useful, ideally to many people in the room. Often times there is humour, sometimes intended and sometimes unintended. After long, silent, inward hours, the chance to learn and also to laugh together seems a good way to end the day.
Ajahn Achalo

There are many more questions answered by Ajahn Achalo in the recorded zoom livestreams.  Contents of each livestream is listed in that section.

Listen to these Q&A sessions

1 - What is Mindfulness?
1. What is Mindfulness?
File Size: 4052 kb
File Type: mp3
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2 - Is breath meditation samatha or vipassana?
2. Is breath meditation samatha or vipassana?
File Size: 6948 kb
File Type: mp3
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3 - How can I relax and stop controlling the breath?
3. How can I relax and stop controlling the breath?
File Size: 2848 kb
File Type: mp3
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4 - When pain disturbs the peacefulness should I change posture or investigate?
4. When pain disturbs the peacefulness should I change?
File Size: 8174 kb
File Type: mp3
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5 - How to go deeper when the breath seems to disappear and I feel anxious?
5. How do I increase my faith in the Buddha?
File Size: 6530 kb
File Type: mp3
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6 - When I see lights is my mind playing tricks?
6 When I see lights is my mind playing tricks?
File Size: 4651 kb
File Type: mp3
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7 - Why is my body trembling in the meditation?
7. Why is my body trembling in the meditation?
File Size: 9249 kb
File Type: mp3
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8 - Do I have Jhana?...  should I try to ‘get’ Jhana?
8. Do I have Jhana, should I try to get Jhana?
File Size: 7293 kb
File Type: mp3
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9 - I felt deeply serene and peaceful but there was no joy?
9. I felt deeply serene and peaceful but there was no joy?
File Size: 9116 kb
File Type: mp3
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10 - What does it mean 'Being without Being'?
10. What does it mean 'Being without Being'?
File Size: 6281 kb
File Type: mp3
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11 - Sex organ most prominent in body contemplations - HELP! 
11. Sex organ prominent in body contemplations - HELP!
File Size: 11702 kb
File Type: mp3
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12 - Is the practice supposed to be stressful?
12. Is The Practice Supposed To Be Stressful?
File Size: 7199 kb
File Type: mp3
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13 - How can I reduce materialistic desire?
13. The Best Way To Reduce Material Desire?
File Size: 17963 kb
File Type: mp3
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14 - How do I increase my faith in the Buddha and in things like other realms?
14. How do I increase my faith in the Buddha?
File Size: 6530 kb
File Type: mp3
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15 - How can I die a skilful death?
15. How Can I Die A Good Death?
File Size: 14877 kb
File Type: mp3
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16 - Is seeing your own mother as 'empty' sad?
16. Is seeing your own mother as 'empty' sad?
File Size: 5856 kb
File Type: mp3
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17 - Is eating meat bad kamma?
17. Is eating meat bad kamma?
File Size: 4753 kb
File Type: mp3
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18 - Why do people cheat on each other? ... Why it would be better if they did not?
18. Why Do People Cheat On Each Other?
File Size: 4525 kb
File Type: mp3
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19 - Is it true that performers will go to hell? Do I have to give up music?
19. Is it true that performers will go to hell?
File Size: 5288 kb
File Type: mp3
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20 - If there is No Self, what is it that gets reborn?
20. If there is No Self what is it that gets reborn?
File Size: 26732 kb
File Type: mp3
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