Clear Mountain Monastery Project
How to Laugh First: Renunciate ProTips for Beautiful Breaths & Truckloads of Bliss | Ajahn Brahm Q&A
In this session, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho interview Ajahn Brahm, abbot of Bodhinyana Monastery ( https://bswa.org/). The discussion delves into Ajahn's path to ordination, advice for achieving deep samādhi, thoughts on Stream Entry, stories of devas, tales of Luang Por Chah, and more. 00:00:00 Introduction and Greetings 00:00:27 Humor in Meditation and Teaching 00:01:50 Key Moments and Faith leading to Ordination 00:02:43 Joining the Cambridge University Buddhist Society 00:05:15 Psychic Research and Hunting Ghosts 00:07:18 The Impact of Deep Meditative Experiences 00:07:52 Instructions for Mindfulness of Breathing 00:10:29 Frequency of Deep Experiences in Students 00:11:34 Guiding Students Through the "Beautiful Breath" 00:13:35 The "Cheshire Cat" Simile for Deep Meditation 00:14:54 Addressing the Fear of Attachment to Bliss 00:15:35 Advice for Those Struggling to Reach Deep States 00:18:16 Reflections on Cultural Advice and Identity 00:19:44 Defining "Nibbidā" (Disenchantment or Disgust) 00:21:41 Teaching Mindfulness in Prisons 00:23:51 The Story of the Imprisoned Thai Monk 00:26:26 Avoiding Overwhelm in Monastic Administrative Roles 00:26:49 Lessons from a Monastery Bushfire 00:29:12 The Story of the Nine Bottles of Pepsi 00:36:41 Rational Belief in Devas and Making Determinations 00:38:21 The Story of the Winning Horse in Singapore 00:41:58 Thoughts on Bodhisattvas and Enlightened Beings 00:44:27 Comparing the Bodhisattva Ideal and the Theravada Path 00:46:47 Addressing Skepticism Toward Rebirth and Devas 00:49:00 Recalling Early Life and Past Life Memories 00:52:03 Ending Doubt and the Experience of Stream Entry 00:53:39 Reflecting on a False Experience of Enlightenment 00:59:29 Advice for a Younger Self at Key Junctures 01:02:18 Finding Hope Amidst Suffering and World Events 01:04:09 Lightning Round: Cleaning vs. Meditation 01:04:57 Lightning Round: The Biggest Test of Patience 01:05:27 Lightning Round: On Sitting Quietly Alone 01:05:49 Lightning Round: Favorite Sutta 01:06:15 Lightning Round: Most Influential Teacher After Ajahn Chah 01:09:45 Final Reflection: A Favorite Memory of Ajahn Chah 01:14:52 Closing Advice for Young Monastics Ajahn Brahm's Biography in Brief: Ajahn Brahm (Ajahn Brahmavamso Mahathera), born in London in 1951, is a Theravada Buddhist monk. Ajahn Brahm grew up in London and earned a degree in Theoretical Physics from Cambridge University. Disillusioned with the world of academe, he trained as a monk in the jungles of Thailand under Ajahn Chah. A monk for over thirty years, Ajahn Brahm is the abbot of Bodhinyana Monastery, in Serpentine, Western Australia—one of the largest monasteries in the southern hemisphere; and he has also been influential in establishing Dhammasara Nuns' Monastery northeast of Perth. He is the Spiritual Director of the Buddhist Society of Western Australia, and spiritual adviser for various Buddhist centers throughout Asia and Australia. His books include "Mindfulness, Bliss, and Beyond: A Meditator's Handbook", "Who Ordered this Truckload of Dung", "The Art of Disappearing," and "Don't Worry Be Grumpy". ------ Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events! - Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:30 pm PT, YouTube then Zoom) - Saturday Morning Meditation, Teaching, & Coffee Social (9:30 - 11 am PT, Online & In-Person) - Sunday Evening “Mission Majjhima!” Sutta Teaching & Discussion (5:00 - 6 pm PT, Online) See https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/ or visit https://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!
