Koan
Meditation / Meditation/Techniques / Koan
3 excerpts, 21:07 total duration

Ānāpānasati: Mindfulness of In-and-Out Breathing, Session 8 – Jan. 11, 2005

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1. Meditation instruction: Be present with the physical experience of the breath. Bring a sense of ease into the body. Ground awareness in the body. Offered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Mindfulness of breathing] [Mindfulness of body]

Quote: Keeping the breath in mind is like getting the spoon into the mouth and the mouth onto the spoon. — Ajahn Lee Dhammadharo. [Ajahn Lee Dhammadharo] [Similes]

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Story: “The body understands!” [Direct experience] [Zen] [Koan] [Ajahn Pasanno]

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Body and mind are not separate things. [Form] [Heart/mind] [Aggregates ] [Dependent origination] [Consciousness]

Water similes for the mind with and without hindrances. (SN 46.55) [Hindrances] [Sensual desire] [Ill-will] [Sloth and torpor] [Restlessness and worry] [Doubt]

Sutta: DN 2.98: “These are shoals of fish...”

Quote: “You can get a lot of wisdom from walking meditation.” — Ajahn Chah. [Ajahn Chah] [Posture/Walking] [Discernment]


Western Disciples of the Thai Forest Tradition, Session 13 – Jan. 21, 2016

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3. “Can you recommend a book of koans for inspiration?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Zen] [Koan] [Dhamma books] // [Ajahn Sumedho] [Hua tou] [Master Hsu Yun]

Story: Ajahn Chah encourages Ajahn Sumedho to develop the hua tou technique. [Ajahn Chah] [Mahasi Sayadaw] [Ven. Ñāṇatiloka]

Reference: Word of the Buddha by Ñāṇatiloka Mahāthera.


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4. Story: Harata Rōshi’s response to a question about koans. Told by Ajahn Jotipālo. [Harata Rōshi] [Koan] // [Translation]

Response by Ajahn Pasanno. [Knowing itself]