The Third Satipatthana
Ajahn Viradhammo discusses in detail the various formulations of vedana (feeling), in particular, knowing vedana with upekkha (equanimity).… Read the rest
Contemplative Practice and Dependent Origination
With the arising of this, that comes to be. With the cessation of that, this ceases. Ajahn Viradhammo explains how to use contemplative practice to explore the theme of dependent origination in our daily life.… Read the rest
The Nature of Awareness Is Goodwill
Ajahn Viradhammo speaks about the Brahmaviharas and explains how metta, goodwill, can be directed towards any experience or perception we have, allowing even difficult formations of mind to be the way they are. He then goes on to answer some questions brought up by the group.… Read the rest
Awareness: The Key to the Transcendent
Ajahn Viradhammo explores how awareness is a quality that allows us to observe the body, feelings and other phenomena, but cannot be observed itself because it is transcendent and timeless. By applying awareness to our experience of suffering, impermanence and not self, we learn to create peace within the mind.… Read the rest
The Skill of Meditation
Luang Por Viradhammo speaks about how we can get the most from our meditation by developing it as a skill.… Read the rest
Intolerance to Nonconformity
Ajahn Viradhammo explores the skillful and unskillful elements of conformity and nonconformity, tolerance and intolerance. By examining how the three fetters operate and keep us bound to ignorance, craving, and attachment, we can understand how to drop these fetters and utilize the skillful elements of these themes.… Read the rest
The Conceit of Thought and the Opening of the Heart
Thinking often leads to unskillfulness, but the heart leads to generosity, gratitude, joy and compassion. Ajahn Viradhammo encourages us to follow the heart.… Read the rest
The Island Is Not Thought
At an Ottawa day of Mindfulness, Ajahn Viradhammo offers a short talk and reviews again the quote from the Saṁyutta Nikāya on Nibbāna. He explains preoccupation and how we wake up to the present moment without being the thinker.… Read the rest
Choosing a Skillful Model
In this answer to a question about handling suffering, Ajahn Virahdammo speaks about the importance of staying with a skillful model of practice that relieves suffering rather than mixing models which can cause confusion. Ultimately, we need to examine the spiritual model we are using and see for ourselves whether it is working.… Read the rest
Is Harmony Reliable? (Partial Talk)
This is the last 20 minutes of a talk given by Ajahn Vīradhammo. He speaks about harmony and what it is we can rely on and answers questions about stillness and observing objects of beauty.… Read the rest