Ajahn Viradhammo leads a guided meditation which emphasizes fully conscious awareness as a way to establish Right Mindfulness. He then walks through a scanning of bodily sensations followed by mindfulness of breathing. He stresses the key to the meditation as knowing all hindrances as they are instead of trying to control them, and points out how this knowing can strengthen the awareness.… Read the rest
Ajahn Viradhammo describes how the skillful use of language can aid us in knowing all sankharas for what they are, instead of indulging in them or becoming averse to them. He presents Tan Ajahn Dtune’s alternate version of the Four Noble Truths, which illuminates how the mind either creates suffering or knows freedom from suffering.… Read the rest
Ajahn Viradhammo gives techniques for handling distractions that arise during meditation. He stresses the importance of setting a firm intention before starting formal practice, and uses the example of counting the breathing to demonstrate this importance.… Read the rest
Ajahn Viradhammo contrasts two different types of attention, one which remains dependent on its object and one which leads to awareness. He explains how renunciation can help us in developing this awareness and in freeing ourselves from the objects of attention.… Read the rest
Ajahn Viradhammo explains how to use the monastic form and the special conditions on the winter retreat for developing present moment awareness of our likes and dislikes. This mindfulness can help us respond skilfully to any wholesome or unwholesome states of mind that may arise.… Read the rest
Ajahn Viradhammo explores the use of repetition in the chanting and other practice techniques as a way to develop wisdom with regard to sankharas. He discusses how we can learn to let go of obsessive thinking by meeting it with good will and wisdom.… Read the rest
Ajahn Viradhammo compares meditation based on craving with that which leads to a knowing awareness. He then leads a guided meditation using listening and bodily sensations as a way to develop this awareness.… Read the rest
Ajahn Viradhammo discusses the three forms of dukkha, and how becoming familiar with them can point the way to freedom from dukkha. He explains how we can cultivate the four Brahma Viharas of good will, compassion, empathetic joy and equanimity as methods for realizing this freedom.… Read the rest
Dear Friends,
For our 2017 Winter Retreat (January 1st to March 31st) the Tisarana community will not hold its regular Saturday afternoon meditation and Dhamma Talk sessions.
The last Saturday afternoon talk this year will be held on December 31st, New Years Eve. We will resume these sessions on Saturday, April 1st.
During the winter time, you are welcome to come here any time you wish and use the Dhamma Hall for sittings or the library for reading.
On our Observance Day we will continue to hold the 7:00 pm sitting and 8:00 pm Dhamma talk throughout the retreat.
These will fall on:
January 5, 12, 20, 27
February 4, 11, 19, 25
March 5, 12, 20, 27
—The Tisarana Sangha… Read the rest
Luang Por Viradhammo expounds the Buddhist practises of sense restraint and being content with little, but stresses that while these are important practises, they are methods for reaching the final goal, and not the goal itself. He offers advice in accepting one’s own kamma as the cards that one has been dealt.… Read the rest
