Ajahn Brahm in fine form on how Buddhist insights can teach us how not to be disappointed in life.

Keeping your bodily posture still, keeping your mental posture still. Leaf on tree simile. Kindness and gentleness and acceptance lead to stillness which leads to happiness. What you are kind to will stay... Unwrapping peace of mind. ATM story. Making peace with drowsiness. The value of silence.

Approx. timings: Instruction (15min), guided meditation (45min), reflection, q&a.

Note the entire meditation time is included. The overall file size is substantially reduced by some clever technology during the silence.

Ajahn Brahm 9 January 2010
(1hr 20min)

Majjhima Nikaya Sekha Sutta - The Disciple in Higher Training (MN53)

At the Buddha’s request, Venerable Ananda gives a discourse on the practices undertaken by a disciple in higher training. For a noble disciple, one has seen the Dhamma (a Stream-enterer or above), the higher training leads to the three true knowledges (tevijja). This complements and extends the gradual training covered in MN125 Dantabhumi Sutta.

“A noble disciple is virtuous, guards the door of the senses, is moderate in eating, devoted to wakefulness, possesses the seven good qualities, and obtains at will the four jhanas. Such a disciple is called one in higher training who has entered upon the way”. The sutta expands on these practices.

Virtue in conduct and resort (where you go). Not grasping at the senses. The seven good qualities: faith in the Buddha’s enlightenment, shame of misconduct, fear of wrongdoing, remembering and consolidating what is learnt, energy (resolve), mindful of the moment and in recollecting the past, wisdom in seeing the cause of things. Jhanas and the higher mind states.

Such a disciple has put all the causes in place for the three true knowledges or insights to arise. Simile of the three breakings-out of the chick from the egg. First crack: Knowledge of many past lives. Second crack: Understanding the law of kamma. Third crack: Complete understanding of the four noble truths.

Stories from the Vinaya.

Commentary by Ajahn Brahm
(1hr 30min)

Ajahn Brahm talks about the role of the natural world in Buddhist practice.

Ajahn Brahm talks about the importance of solitude in Buddhist Practice

Ajahn Brahm explains MN125 the Dantabhumi Sutta.

Ajahn Brahm explains the importance of making peace, being kind and being gentle in meditation, followed by about 45min meditation and then q&a.
Saturday 05/12/2009 at the Dhammaloka Buddhist Centre.
(1hr 11min)

Ajahn Brahm explains the importance of kindness in meditation, followed by about 45min meditation and then q&a.
Saturday 02/01/2010 at the Dhammaloka Buddhist Centre, Nollamara WA 6061.
(1hr 5min)

Ajahn Brahm talks about the values in Buddhism.

In this first talk of 2010 Ajahn Brahm talks around the topic of "Building Hearts, Not Halls"