TisaAdmin, Page 43

Ajahn Viradhammo answers questions about how to live a wholesome, productive life without getting caught in the trap of becoming. He speaks on the value of upholding the precepts and developing the parami, the Ten Perfections, as ways to develop skills without creating an ego around the skills. He also advises using meditation based on awareness of the breathing and the bodily posture as ways to gradually get more in touch with intense forms of suffering.  He recommends an objective knowing of the khandas as a skillful way to deal with interpersonal conflict.… Read the rest

Ajahn Viradhammo speaks on Right Livelihood in three aspects, that of profit, skill and development of character. He points out how this character development can lead to a patience which is able to overcome greed, hatred and delusion.… Read the rest

Ajahn Viradhammo leads a guided meditation, beginning with advice on sitting posture, and including tips on the four meditation postures of sitting, standing, walking and lying down.… Read the rest

After a recitation of the Fire Sutta, Ajahn Viradhammo explains how a misunderstanding of conditioned existence can lead to grasping and suffering. He gives practical methods for noticing the unconditioned and letting go of desire, and discusses the value of the monastic conventions of repetition and renunciation. He points out how practicing with path factors such as Right Speech and Right Intention can develop this letting go.… Read the rest

Ajahn Viradhammo discusses the need for a constant diligence in our mindfulness practice. He warns of the danger in doing a meditation practice with desire in order to become something, and recommends instead the practice of paying attention to vedana, sensations, in the body. He explains how practicing with the Four Foundations of Mindfulness is a skillful means leading towards samma-ditthi, Right View.… Read the rest

Ajahn Viradhammo reads a passage by Jean Klein, and explores the function of a contemplative mind in analyzing this passage. He discusses desire in relation to the Third Noble Truth, and how to cultivate a quality of attention which is both watchful and available. These form a basis for Right Effort and dhamma-vicaya, the investigation of phenomena.… Read the rest

Ajahn Viradhammo compares the emotions of remorse and guilt, and explains how one is a healthy response to a situation whereas the other tends to result from thought and self criticism. He recalls difficult experiences in his own practice, and how he learned to let go of thinking and come in touch with the heart.… Read the rest

Ajahn Viradhammo discusses the place of intellectual understanding of the Buddha’s teachings. He points out that while this type of understanding is important, it is our own personal experience of these teachings that leads to true insight. He explores the landscape of repetition in practice as a cause for gaining in confidence over time.… Read the rest

Ajahn Viradhammo speaks about the importance of finding a technique of meditation in which one has an intuitive and authentic personal interest. He explains how this is a skillful way to cultivate a meditation practice that is sustainable. He warns of the pitfalls in adopting a meditation technique based solely on another person’s recommendation or from an idea of wanting to achieve or attain something from one’s practice.… Read the rest

Ajahn Viradhammo leads a guided meditation to allow us to fully welcome and cultivate good will towards those habits of mind that can sometimes be limiting. He uses mindfulness of the body and a calming breathing technique to help us stabilize the meditation.… Read the rest