Upāsikā Day, Aug. 11, 2013
Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery in Redwood Valley, California
2 sessions, 12 excerpts, 22:06 total duration
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Sessions: 1 2
1. [0:37] “You spoke about recognizing that when the mind goes off into busyness that there’s not just that particular quality. Could you talk more about this?” // [Appropriate attention] [Impermanence] [Knowing itself] [Ajahn Mun] [Ajahn Chah] [Clinging] [Suffering]
2. [3:10] “You said that starting with chanting can help focus the mind. But I find myself daydreaming while chanting.” [Chanting] // [Pāṭimokkha] [Energy]
Story: An elderly woman chants the Dhammacakka Sutta every day. [Ageing]
3. [6:05] “How do we deal with the frustration that arises after repeatedly catching the busy mind?” // [Perfectionism]
1. [0:02] Comment: Even though I’ve seen the fruit of awareness in and of itself many times, the doubt is still so deeply embedded that there is not that place of letting go. [Knowing itself] [Doubt] [Clinging] [Relinquishment]
Response by Ajahn Pasanno. [Faith]
Reference: “Goal-Oriented and Source-Oriented Practice,” Dhamma Talk by Ajahn Pasanno, August 10, 2013.
2. [1:57] Comment: I have found your saying ‘Just don’t make a problem of it.’ very helpful. [Ajahn Pasanno] [Cessation of Suffering]
Response by Ajahn Pasanno.
3. [3:09] “In the suttas, if you recognize a defilement like ill-will, you need to do something about it. How can we reconcile this with the Ajahn Chah teaching you just read (‘Receiving Visitors’ in In Simple Terms)?” [Sutta] [Right Effort] [Ajahn Chah] // [Discernment]
Quote: “Practice is really easy. If the defilements come at you high, you duck, and if they come at you low, you jump over them.” — Ajahn Tongrat [Ajahn Tongrat] [Unwholesome Roots]
4. [5:28] “Is there a state of the calm mind when you’re not thinking about anything or is meditation more about reflecting?” [Directed thought and evaluation] [Recollection] [Tranquility ] // [Concentration] [Restlessness and worry] [Perfectionism] [Ardency]
5. [9:29] “Sometimes the mind becomes peaceful, but a squiggle of restlessness often arises around 45 minutes when the meditation usually ends. What should I do with this habit?” [Restlessness and worry] [Habits] // [Aversion] [Noting] [Happiness]
6. [11:19] “Is it possible to replace the busy thoughts with more positive thoughts you’re trying to cultivate?” [Directed thought and evaluation]
7. [12:03] “How can we understand the last practice in MN 20 of gritting the jaw, etc.? I don’t think this will work for me.”
8. [13:02] Comment: When someone says they can’t meditate because they try to settle their mind and they realize how busy it is, I’ve encouraged them that now they are seeing the reflective quality of how their mind works. [Appropriate attention]
Response by Ajahn Pasanno.
9. [14:11] “What attitude should we take when observing things so we don’t objectify them or make it stressful?” [Perception] [Knowing itself] [Appropriate attention] [Suffering] // [Direct experience]