Ajahn Brahm shares some anecdotes about his experiences of challenging societal norms as a celibate monk, and discusses the benefits of being single or celibate. Overall, he suggests that religion should challenge us to think outside of the norm and that there is nothing wrong with living a different lifestyle. Human beings have a natural tendency to desire and be attracted to certain things, but we also have the ability to restrain ourselves from acting on those urges. This is known as "hiri otappa" or the fear of karmic consequences and a sense of conscience or shame. We must have some level of restraint in order to live a civilized life. Sometimes we may feel tempted to act in a certain way, but it is important to remember the potential negative effects and consequences of our actions.

Ajahn Brahm discusses the idea of the "happiness industry," where there is a focus on finding happiness through seminars, classes, and other means. The author argues that this industry may not always address underlying social issues and may just promote changing one's attitude instead of taking action. He also discusses the overlap and potential contradiction between science and religion, particularly in addressing the story is about two Thai sisters who came to a monastery for counseling. The first sister had problems with her husband, while the other was struggling to find one. The counselor told them that changing their situation would only lead to a different form of suffering. This applies to all aspects of life, such as wealth, fame, or even owning a mobile phone. The happiness industry may tell us that achieving certain things will make us happy, but in reality, true happiness comes from within.

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This dhamma talk was originally recorded using a low quality MP3 to save on file size on 6th July 2007. It has now been remastered and published by the Everyday Dhamma Network, and will be of interest to his many fans.

These talks by Ajahn Brahm have been recorded and made available for free distribution by the Buddhist Society of Western Australia under the Creative Commons licence. You can support the Buddhist Society of Western Australia by pledging your support via their Ko-fi page.

Thistalk is about the responsibility of Buddhists to contribute to social issues, such as global warming and social activism, as the religion continues to grow in numbers. It compares the Buddha's rejection of becoming a world leader to the temptation of Jesus in Christianity. It emphasizes the importance of understanding and adapting to the world, rather than trying to control it. Ajahn Brahm shares personal experiences, such as delayed flights and participating in interfaith dialogue, to illustrate this point. He emphasizes the importance of active listening and understanding in order to bring about positive change in relationships, health, and the workplace.

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This dhamma talk was originally recorded using a low quality MP3 to save on file size on 6th July 2007. It has now been remastered and published by the Everyday Dhamma Network, and will be of interest to his many fans.

These talks by Ajahn Brahm have been recorded and made available for free distribution by the Buddhist Society of Western Australia under the Creative Commons licence. You can support the Buddhist Society of Western Australia by pledging your support via their Ko-fi page.

Ajahn Brahm briefly explores multiple suggestions for the topic of the talk, including the meaning of life, the approach to dealing with sick animals, separation, and procrastination. He then goes on to discuss the idea of procrastination as a useful tool in creating stillness and peace, and shares a story about a monk who declared his building project "finished" in the midst of an unfinished state. The author brings these ideas together to remind readers to prioritize stillness and peace in their lives. In order to understand the true meaning of life, we must prioritize what is most important to us. The highest purpose should be peace, happiness, contentment, and fulfillment. We often make the mistake of putting lesser purposes, such as work or being right, above these important aspects of life.

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This dhamma talk was originally recorded using a low quality MP3 to save on file size on 6th July 2007. It has now been remastered and published by the Everyday Dhamma Network, and will be of interest to his many fans.

These talks by Ajahn Brahm have been recorded and made available for free distribution by the Buddhist Society of Western Australia under the Creative Commons licence. You can support the Buddhist Society of Western Australia by pledging your support via their Ko-fi page.

This talk is about the concept of interconnectedness, which is the idea that our actions and thoughts have a wider effect on others and the world around us. Ajahn Brahm talks about how small acts of kindness and caring can have a big impact, and encourages people to take responsibility for their actions. He also mentions a funny anecdote about a dancing lollipop lady in London. In this talk, Ajahn Brahm discusses the concept of interconnectedness and how small acts of kindness and happiness can spread, as well as the importance of detaching and disconnecting from negativity and being responsible for one's own happiness.

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This dhamma talk was originally recorded using a low quality MP3 to save on file size on 29th June 2007. It has now been remastered and published by the Everyday Dhamma Network, and will be of interest to his many fans.

These talks by Ajahn Brahm have been recorded and made available for free distribution by the Buddhist Society of Western Australia under the Creative Commons licence. You can support the Buddhist Society of Western Australia by pledging your support via their Ko-fi page.

This talk is about dealing with emotions from a Buddhist perspective. Ajahn Brahm points out that often people talk about negative emotions such as grief, anger, and fear, but positive emotions like inspiration, love, and compassion are also important. He mentions that emotions can be manipulated, as seen in movies and auctions, and shares a personal story about witnessing the calming of a distraught woman by a monk. The monk's calmness helped her gain perspective on her friend's suicide. The story says that the emotions that we feel are often created by our own thoughts and perceptions. The speaker gives examples of anger, fear, and grief and how they can be triggered and reinforced by our unskillful thinking. He encourages us to be more mindful and aware of our thoughts and to try to understand where our emotions come from.

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This dhamma talk was originally recorded using a low quality MP3 to save on file size on 1st June 2007. It has now been remastered and published by the Everyday Dhamma Network, and will be of interest to his many fans.

These talks by Ajahn Brahm have been recorded and made available for free distribution by the Buddhist Society of Western Australia under the Creative Commons licence. You can support the Buddhist Society of Western Australia by pledging your support via their Ko-fi page.

Ajahn Brahm introduces the topic of accountability and how it is pertinent to issues such as climate change and ethics. He discuss how the demands of the present can take priority and prevent people from addressing bigger problems. He also talk about the benefits of slowing down and seeing the bigger picture in life, such as through monasteries and retreat centers. This talk discusses the importance of ethics and accountability in modern society, particularly in relation to issues like global warming and climate change. The speaker, a Buddhist monk, talks about how the belief in rebirth and the understanding of consequences for actions in future lives can help people to see the bigger picture and take ethical decisions. He also mentions the importance of wisdom in being compassionate, and how lack of wisdom can sometimes lead to unintended negative consequences.

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This dhamma talk was originally recorded using a low quality MP3 to save on file size on 1st June 2007. It has now been remastered and published by the Everyday Dhamma Network, and will be of interest to his many fans.

These talks by Ajahn Brahm have been recorded and made available for free distribution by the Buddhist Society of Western Australia under the Creative Commons licence. You can support the Buddhist Society of Western Australia by pledging your support via their Ko-fi page.

The title of the talk is Buddhism and Sex, but it is actually about the different sects of Buddhism. The speaker explains that there should be no judgment or hierarchy between different traditions and that it is more important to focus on how one uses the teachings. He gives examples of how monks from different traditions work together and that in reality, there is no difference between these traditions. He also mentions that common sense is an important aspect of Buddhism, as beliefs and dogmas can sometimes get in the way Buddhism is a religion that focuses on common sense and does not have any dogmas or texts that dictate what is right or wrong. Because of this, Buddhists have the freedom to express their own understanding of virtue and ethics. Unlike other religions, Buddhism does not have a central figure or hierarchy, which means each temple or monastery is responsible for its own success or failure.

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This dhamma talk was originally recorded using a low quality MP3 to save on file size on 1st June 2007. It has now been remastered and published by the Everyday Dhamma Network, and will be of interest to his many fans.

These talks by Ajahn Brahm have been recorded and made available for free distribution by the Buddhist Society of Western Australia under the Creative Commons licence. You can support the Buddhist Society of Western Australia by pledging your support via their Ko-fi page.

The talk discusses the topic of the right to believe and how it affects our everyday lives. Ajahn Brahm brings up the dangers and consequences of holding extreme or harmful beliefs, such as seen in cases of mental illness or acts of violence. He also discusses the prioritization of beliefs and how it can lead to conflicts, using the example of a couple who argue over whether a sound is made by a chicken or a duck. The talk ultimately emphasizes the importance of critically examining our beliefs and ensuring that the most important of focusing on the primary beliefs of peace, harmony, and love.

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This dhamma talk was originally recorded using a low quality MP3 to save on file size on 18th May 2007. It has now been remastered and published by the Everyday Dhamma Network, and will be of interest to his many fans.

These talks by Ajahn Brahm have been recorded and made available for free distribution by the Buddhist Society of Western Australia under the Creative Commons licence. You can support the Buddhist Society of Western Australia by pledging your support via their Ko-fi page.

Ajahn Brahm talks about the possibility of real happiness in modern life and the cause of unhappiness. He mentions how people today are attached to suffering and grief, which is a cultural addition that does not exist in certain societies. He also discusses how people can form their identities around their suffering and enjoy the negative emotions, such as anger, grief, and jealousy. The Buddha teaches that there is a delight in these negative emotions, or else people
wouldn't engage in them. Buddhism teaches that attachment to negative emotions, such as anger, jealousy, and grief, can prevent us from being truly happy. The Buddha observed that people often attach to these negative emotions because they feel a sense of delight in them, but they fail to see the danger and harm that comes from holding onto them. This attachment can also stem from societal expectations, such as the need for retribution and punishment for wrongdoing. However,
Buddhism suggests that the most important thing is to let go.

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This dhamma talk was originally recorded using a low quality MP3 to save on file size on 27th April 2007. It has now been remastered and published by the Everyday Dhamma Network, and will be of interest to his many fans.

These talks by Ajahn Brahm have been recorded and made available for free distribution by the Buddhist Society of Western Australia under the Creative Commons licence. You can support the Buddhist Society of Western Australia by pledging your support via their Ko-fi page.