A talk from the 2015 winter retreat. Ajahn Viradhammo opens with a quote from Venerable Nyanatiloka’s translation of Nibbana. He gives salience to keeping the goal in mind (the vanishing of greed, hatred and delusion), how we can learn to make honest and clear assessments about our inner worlds so as not to create negative kamma within the mind.… Read the rest
During a tea time gathering at Tisarana, Ajahn Viradhammo answers questions about: transitioning from the “end” of formal meditation, explanation of the terms: awareness/ space/consciousness, being stuck on the awareness of awareness, dealing with the habit of the busy, do something mind, right thought, and when the mind won’t settle down for sleep.… Read the rest
Ajahn Viradhammo speaks to the winter retreat support crew of 2016. He explains how to have a skillful attitude during the retreat by not reacting to one’s likes and dislikes, developing harmonious communication, and serving the retreat in a helpful and wholesome way. All of these acts of goodness help to support one’s personal practice so Dhamma and insight can be more easily penetrated.… Read the rest
By taking the middle way between resistance and indulgence, Ajahn Viradhammo suggests that we try to monitor our habits and see where the thinking mind gets us stuck in self views. From this understanding we can learn how to abandon the thinking process, simply knowing mental formations (sankharas) as mental formations.… Read the rest
In regards to our experience of inhabiting a body and being ill, we can learn how we understand and conceive time. According to Ajahn Viradhammo this is a ripe area for investigation in our practice.… Read the rest
Ajahn Viradhammo begins by explaining the Itipiso Chant, and how we practice with the Three Refuges. We are encouraged us to ask ourselves: What gives us strength? What it is we trust in? And what can we ultimately rely on?… Read the rest
Reflecting on being sick after returning from his pilgrimage to India, Ajahn Viradhammo recommends that we allow our experiences into awareness rather than trying to get somewhere or get something. If we understand the nature of changing conditions, we can transcend the mind that is attempting to solidify and control our experience.… Read the rest
Dear Friends,
I have just returned from a most inspiring journey to India and Thailand. The trip to India was on invitation from Luang Por Sumedho to join him on pilgrimage to the Buddhist holy sites. Bodhgaya, Sarnath, Lumbini and Kusinara — the place of Enlightenment, the first teaching, birth and Parinibbana — these places bring forth devotional feelings of deep gratitude and inspiration to anyone who has practiced the way of the Buddha. Being on pilgrimage with my teacher and good friend, Luang Por Sumedho was obviously very special and will inform and energize my life for many years to come. As you can well imagine I am deeply grateful.
The time in Thailand allowed me to get my teeth fixed, get a new pair of specs but most importantly a new Buddha image for our proposed meditation hall. This was organized by the Thai embassy and I had a chance to see the wax image while I was in Bangkok. It is very beautiful and I am more than pleased with the artist’s work. Included in this post are some photos. The image will be cast in bronze on the 19th of March at the factory in Nakhon Pathom north of Bangkok.… Read the rest
Ajahn Viradhammo begins his talk speaking about karma yoga (a life of service) and goes on to define what it means to let go of our attachments and grasping, finding balance in our lives both on and off the cushion.… Read the rest
Ajahn Viradhammo speaks about how we occupy the mind with various unwholesome objects (attaching to the 5 khandas) and how we can use skillful objects to notice this and let go of our attachments.… Read the rest
