Episodes
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Jhana has become popular, but often dumbed down. So then it helps to have an overview of how aspects of the path fits together.
Jhana means oneness and illumination, and is described as having five factors: applied and sustained application (vitakka, vicara), rapture or uplift (piti), pleasure (sukha) and unification of consciousness (ekaggata). And the coming together of all this factors is jhana.
And each person has the potential to realise these stages of meditation, they represent the very end and summit of the eight fold path, and is also the foundation for deep insights.
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When coming to a retreat, you give up a lot for a few days − there is maybe a desire or a longing for freedom. And just that is the first of 'The four bases of mental power' (iddhi pada), this wish or longing for freedom and a spiritual development − and maybe the most important supporting factor for this desire is mental pleasure, which is really important to develop.
The second factor is energy, so to keep going and not giving up. The third factor is mind or heart or consciousness, a clear mind which can deliver answers. And the last factor is investigation or inquiry, this ability to see what is going on, what changes and why - and as your peace of mind deepens, so will the investigation deepens into insights.
These are factors which we can focus on, to give our meditation practise a boost − this enthusiasm, energy, clarity of mind and inquiring wanting to understand.
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This talk is about the process the Buddha went through learning to meditate, starting with an experiences he had as a child, which teachers he met and learned from and how he was conditioned by other schools. Then later on, how the Buddha stayed with the sramanas doing all kinds of ascetic practises, which the Buddha found as a waste of time.
And finally, when he had been searching out all the best teachers of his time, and not finding them good enough, he started to develop his meditation alone, finding inspiration from his childhood experiences − not following a path but finding out himself.
And we have all this texts today explaining what problems the Buddha had, how he struggled and how he found his way. So this is a beautiful story about perseverance, not giving up, and finding your way yourself.
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After a retreat, how can we continue our practice, how can we transfer our skills to our daily lives? At this retreat at Venabu a whole toolkit was given: right approach to mediation, what happiness and suffering is, learning to be mindful and developing wholesome qualities, the importance of joy and how it is aroused, and wisdom - what it is and how it is developed.
In our daily life we must protect the seed we have planted, and remove the weeds. Keeping the soil moist by virtue - which actually is a beautiful and fun training leading to a blameless bliss. Trying to keep up the daily practice of meditation. Trying to read the original teaching of the Buddha, remembering that patience is the highest spiritual quality. Also - try associate with the wise, they will keep your inspiration up!
In the end of this talk (35:02), there is a finishing off guided loving kindness meditation.
This teaching was given at Venabu 2024:
https://dnbf.org/en/2024/04/venabu-retreat-2024/- - -
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Ajahn Nitho describes in this talk what wisdom is according to the teaching of the Buddha. He also reads out a short parable describing when wisdom will arrise in a person − independent of gender, body or ethnicity. He continues with a longer descriptions of the various stages of meditation, all the way into deep meditation or jhana, because that is the needed level of meditation for deep wisdom and enlightenment to arrise. In short - a meditation and wisdom journey of ever increasing happiness, mindfulness, clarity, wisdom and freedom.
This teaching was given at Venabu 2024:
https://dnbf.org/en/2024/04/venabu-retreat-2024/- - -
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This talk is about loving kindness − what it is, how it affects our mind, different ways of doing loving kindness meditation, and how it connects to deep meditation and awakening.
This teaching was given at Venabu 2024:
https://dnbf.org/en/2024/04/venabu-retreat-2024/- - -
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In this talk, Venerable Canda talks about guarding the sense doors, and the hindrances that arise in relation to the sensory world, with the goal to create clarity of mind. She talks about the sense bases, and how contact creates feelings in body and mind − pleasant or not − resulting in craving or ill will. Seeing that this process is conditioned, not substantial, reduces the reactivity and the creation of suffering. She gives examples, and refer to stories both from contemporary teachers and the original teachings of the Buddha.
This teaching was given at Venabu 2024:
https://dnbf.org/en/2024/04/venabu-retreat-2024/- - -
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Doing breath meditation ends sometimes up being dry and out of oomph, then try the advice of the Buddha. This talk is about the importance of joy, happiness and rapture for the development of deep meditation and wisdom. In the end of the talk, Ajahn Nitho also mentions some alternative meditations to help kindle these beatiful mental states during meditation of breathing.
This teaching was given at Venabu 2024:
https://dnbf.org/en/2024/04/venabu-retreat-2024/- - -
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We all want more of happiness, and less suffering. What is the reason for happiness? What type of happiness should we pursue? What is the foundation and causes for happiness? What motivates us to practice?
Happiness is a natural process − there is happiness, and it comes as a result of putting in beautiful wholesome causes, learning to go through problems with wisdom, and developing perceptions that will transform our lives.
This teaching was given at Venabu 2024:
https://dnbf.org/en/2024/04/venabu-retreat-2024/- - -
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This is a recording of a question and answers session normally done every evening during retreat:
(00:00) − You mentioned that for meditation, it helps to focus on the here and now, like breathing, walking or yoga. Would focusing on petting ones cat be the same, could that be meditate?
(02:51) − Often when I am observing my breathing closely, the closer I watch, the more I realise that I am all doing the breathing, in stead of letting it breath on its own. Should I just observe myself doing the breathing, in stead of struggling to stop?
(05:54) − Most comfortably, my legs take turn going numb. Is it a matter of habit?
(09:45) − What is the mental action that corresponds to putting the glass of water down on the floor, so that it can fall into silence?
(11:26) − Is there any effect meditating with the palms up, or palms down?
(14:25) − What happened to your brother, Nitho − you said he inspired you to do meditations? Was he also a monk?
(18:14) − Morning teaching:The peace and happiness inside, I want to catch it but it just hide.
Today I had a teaching and now I know, you can only find peace and happiness by letting go.
If you still need to do it − to act, add kindness it will have a huge impact.
To all you with an active mind − just remember, be kind.(19:10) − When I meditate in day-to-day life, while not on a retreat. I find in may take two hour to find some ease. So far in this retreat, it feels like this in minutes. Any recommendations for the causes required to perhaps finding this easy in day-to-day life?
(22:22) − Where can I read about the eight fold path?
(24:32) − How can I know the difference between deep meditation and falling a sleep and dreaming, while sitting?
(27:32) − How do I make the best out of karma-yoga?
(31:05) − If I give my best, but make absolutely no progress at all after eight days, it is still okay alright?
(35:10) − Can we at some point during the retreat have metta meditation with Venerable Canda canting in the end, please?
(35:32) − How have your dreams changed during your journey since you discovered meditation, or have they changed at all?
(39:26) − How do you feel right now?
(41:58) − Can you give some examples of topics you have addressed in the course of private interviews in the past?This teaching was given at Venabu 2024:
https://dnbf.org/en/2024/04/venabu-retreat-2024/- - -
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Sometimes meditation is frustrating and disappointing, then we should practice insights. And just as in the story of Sam and Vi, each with their dog, Metta and Anapana, climbs a mountain both for deep peace and a clear view, so we can climb the meditation mountain inside.
But we have blind spots, we see only what we want to see, and don't see what we don't want to see. Real insights goes much deeper then you think is obvious, and wisdom is not believing what you see. And few stories highlight these blind spots. Basically, you need a strong mind to see clearly!
And on the way to the big insights and stages of awakening, there are many smaller wisdoms to develop − our minds have powerful abilities and we can even remembering our past lives.
This teaching was given in Oslo 2022:
https://dnbf.org/en/2022/11/ajahn-brahm-weekend-retreat/- - -
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Buddhism is not a religion of belief, but a training to empower ourselves to develop wisdom and happiness, based on our own experience. Some people, the bhikkhunis and bhikkhus, do this training full time, and then become teachers for others. And maybe the most important aspekt is kindness, and a few good stories are told about how kindness can help, both when one encounters poisonous snakes, or when you need building approval from the municipality. But the talk starts by answering a deeper question about meditation.
This teaching was given in Oslo 2022:
https://dnbf.org/en/2022/11/ajahn-brahm-weekend-retreat/- - -
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These questions were asked and answered:
(00:00) − Christmas family time - I find it really difficult when I gather with my big family for Christmas for many days, can you give some advice on how to handle the lack of silence, the negative discussions, they love to discuss all the problems in the world, the overload of thing and food, everybody has so much, and all want to buy more?
(12:05) − Do you currently have Thais in the Thai sangha? (the bhikkhuni controversy)
(20:23) − Are you supporting the Thai bhikkhunis in Thailand? If so, how?
(23:29) − Through deep hypnosis, I broke through and came into a state of bliss. This is my first experience of a nimitta. The following day I wanted to get back to this, and tried to force myself back to the beach, and the dark night, but I terrified because I am sure I saw some demons. Is this real? Is this made by my mind because I tried to force it back to the blissful state? Luckily have have experience nimittas on retreat after this, but then i don't let go, and stay for hours. Can you go in and out of this stage? Is it like riding a bicycle when you get the experience?
(33:53) − Ever so often, I experience the biggest effect of meditation. After the meditation, when I don't try to meditation, I fall into deep meditation.
(37:02) − No self, how to explain to my husband that his wife does not exist?
(41:57) − How do you find the right balance between doubt and faith/trust in Buddhism? I feel like too much doubt becomes a hindrance, faith without some doubt becomes blind faith. Any input or thought on this?
(50:43) − I can only focus on three consecutive breaths before my mind wanders off. What am I doing wrong in the previous stage?
(57:31) − My parents are kind people, but I never feel close or good connection with them in my head, spending half a day with my mother is enough for me each time I visit them. How can I let go of the guilty feeling I have to be there for my parents (78 and 81 years old), when they seem like they don't need me.
(1:00:35) − What is the Buddha's way of seeing the war in Ukraine, and other wars. What to do with Putin?
(1:03:39) − Could you please tell us more about breathing during the meditation.
(1:11:08) − During breathing meditation, I have the feeling that the breath is not right, I am loosing my breath when meditating.
(1:12:13) − Can you please tell us a bit more about full bhikkhuni ordination for women. Why is it important that woman can receive full ordination, compared to other arrangements, such as maechi and others. And what are the arguments from those monks who disagree with you?
(1:13:47) − How to deal with facial muscle tensions?
(1:14:22) − How to deal with chronic pain during meditation?
(1:18:22) − The Buddha developed the teaching of an-atman, contra the Hindu atman, if there are no self, what is then that goes on to be reincarnated or reborn?
(1:22:06) − What is the difference between reincarnation and rebirth?
(1:22:33) − If there is no God, why does Buddhist pray?This teaching was given in Oslo 2022:
https://dnbf.org/en/2022/11/ajahn-brahm-weekend-retreat/- - -
Please, feel free to recommend this podcast to your friends!
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DNBF Patron - -
Training the mind, is not forcing the mind, but understanding and working with your mind. One problem is that we think we own our meditation, but if we can look at ourselves as guests − then there is less to do, and we can relax.
And as we meditate deeper and deeper, it is like the mind opens up like a lotus flower - layer by layer. First into the present moment, then into silence, then into breathing, then into joy and delight. Even deeper in, we get to stages of lights and brightness, before entering those powerful stages of jhana.
And interestingly enough, these jhana stages has probably been attained by spiritual seekers from other traditions as well.
This teaching was given in Oslo 2022:
https://dnbf.org/en/2022/11/ajahn-brahm-weekend-retreat/- - -
Please, feel free to recommend this podcast to your friends!
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This is an introduction to meditation talk, given in Oslo in 2022. It starts by focusing on right motivation − letting go, kindness and gentleness. This motivation will guide our minds towards peace and stillness, by not using force, but allowing stillness to arise just as water in a drinking glass. It is the winds of wanting that makes our mind move away for peace.
Silence is delightful, and also creates a clear bright mind, which can see things clearly. And that clarity of mind can be applied to your body for health, and also towards your mind to deepen your peace and develop wisdom.
This teaching was given in Oslo 2022:
https://dnbf.org/en/2022/11/ajahn-brahm-weekend-retreat/- - -
Please, feel free to recommend this podcast to your friends!
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