Mindfulness is now a ubiquitous buzzword that is often used to just refer to being aware. In truth, when cultivated intensively, it becomes a real power and it is present in any wholesome state. He also answers some questions and at the end of the talk. (Talk recorded at Tisarana on 28 July 2018. Duration 41:04)… Read the rest
On the full moon night of Vesak Puja, Ajahn Viradhammo advises Tisarana’s resident community to consciously develop a feeling of gratitude and devotion to the Buddha, and to his teaching which has remained alive in the world for over 2500 years. He explains how by using compassion we can awaken to our states of mind in a way that is both harmonious to those around us and liberating to all.
(Talk recorded at Tisarana on 29 May 2018. Duration 27:42)… Read the rest
On August 18, 2018, Steve Saslav, the former Ajahn Santacitto, passed away. The Tisarana community would like to extends its thoughts and good wishes to everybody that knew him, including his family, friends and fellow practitioners.
From Ajahn Amaro and the Amaravati Community:
On the morning of Saturday the 18th of August, 2018, Steve Saslav, the former Ajahn Santacitto, passed away peacefully in his home in Chichester. He was one of the very first Western monks to train with Ajahn Chah, having first taken robes in 1971. He was part of the founding monastic group of Amaravati in the ‘80s and was the very first Amaravati Librarian. The last years of his monastic life were spent as the abbot of Hartridge Buddhist Monastery, in Devon.
He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in May of last year and dealt with its relentless progress with great patience and good-heartedness right until the very end, attending at least three retreats at Amaravati during these final months, including a 10-day one in June of this year.
– https://www.amaravati.org/funeral-at-amaravati-for-stephen-santacitto-saslav/… Read the rest
Ajahn Viradhammo shares with us the story of the 4th uncle, a chinese healer. He then answers questions about the evolution of “practice” developing the themes of right understanding, not grasping, the knowing and hiri-ottappa. He concludes by showing how to deal with grief and use a doctrine as a tool for reflexion and not as an opinion.
(Q&A recorded at Tisarana on 27 May 2018. Duration 1:17:04)… Read the rest
On Vesak Day, Ajahn Viradhammo and Ajahn Amaro give readings on the birth, enlightenment and final parinibbana of the Buddha.
(Recorded at Tisarana on 19 May 2018. Duration 01:12:42)… Read the rest
Ajahn Viradhammo explains how an attempt to get something from sensory experience pulls the mind into a sense of self and inevitable suffering. By making a firm intention to be aware of neutral experiences such as touch, sound and the movement of the body, he shows how we can train the mind to remain in the present, not takes things personally and know things as they really are.
(Talk recorded at Tisarana on 20 July 2018. Duration 32:04)… Read the rest
Ajahn Pavaro reflects on a few obstacles that can challenge experienced Buddhists and meditators. He encourages us, especially those coming from a Western background, to reflect on the role of faith and balance in our practice. After the talk, Ajahn Pavaro also answered a few questions from the attendees.
(Talk recorded at Tisarana on 21 July 2018. Duration 51:47)… Read the rest
Tan Ajahn Amaro offers a guided meditation using awareness of the body and the breath on a sunny Saturday afternoon at Tisarana. He then gives a talk on how to put forth effort without over-investing in the results, without being attached to the outcome due to a mistaken sense of self. Tan Ajahn and Luang Por Viradhammo answer questions about skillfully relating to stressful situations, having a fatalistic view of successes and pitfalls in our lives and on the challenges posed by the allure of comfort food.
(Q&A recorded at Tisarana on 12 May 2018. Duration 01:44:45)… Read the rest
Practitioners sometimes run into periods of time where difficult emotions and states can overwhelm the mind. Unfortunately, perfectionism and idealism can undermine our ability to skillfully relating to these states. Ajahn Viradhammo shares reflections and suggestions on how we can stay present and wisely navigate these challenging states of mind.
(Talk recorded at Tisarana on 12 July 2018. Duration 33:26)… Read the rest
Ajahn Viradhammo recently returned from an inspiring trip to the west coast of Canada and the United States. He recollects a beautiful teaching he received on the beauty that comes from keeping precepts. Buddhist ethics doesn’t require us feel or not feel anything, but simply to not act out with unskilful energies. And we can use this attitude of peace towards our internal conditions, to ground ourselves in good will and accept the totality of experience.
(Talk recorded at Tisarana on 5 July 2018. Duration 41:02)… Read the rest
