Buddhist Society of Western Australia

Given that the Four Noble Truths of Buddhism deal with suffering, one can be forgiven for thinking that Buddhist's have a pretty miserable attitude to life. However, as Ajahn Vayama explains, really what the Buddha was teaching was the pathway to achieving ever greater levels of happiness in life. Using recent findings from the fields of psychology and sociology, Ajahn Vayama discusses the Buddhist understanding and practices that are aimed at creating happiness and how research methods are increasingly validating Buddhist teachings and practice.

Ajahn Nissarano explains how meditation helps us take the first step to

world peace by developing a positive, calm state of mind. He describes how

we can dissolve the five hindrances or blocks to meditation and reduce

depression, anxiety and anger by developing positive emotions and

gratitude. The results are an increase in satisfaction, contentment and

fulfillment.

He then guides us through a very gentle, peaceful meditation flavoured with

a positive emotion to help give it a warmth and pleasantness which the mind

likes. He starts by encouraging us to prime the meditation by setting a

clear intention, and follows this with a guided relaxing body scan

associated with a warm, kind, grateful attention to the body. Finally, a

mantra of thankfulness and gratitude is used to further calm the mind in a

positive, easy flowing way.

Here's the meaning of life: "Life is a sexually transmitted terminal disease".  But is that all there is to it? Ajahn Brahm offers a deeper perspective on the question of "what is the meaning of life?" And rather than the meaning being 'out there' to be discovered, it is rather the meaning that we give to our lives.

Responding to a question on how to stay calm amidst conflict, Ajahn Brahm extends his response further by talking about how tranquility can help us to see more deeply into the causes and nature of conflict, and also how tranquility itself can be a key component of resolving conflict, whether its at the small scale with a family or amongst friends, or on a broader scale in the community.

Ajahn Nissarano uses the perception of kindfulness and of being our own best friend to set up the frame of mind for meditation.

Ajahn Brahm talks about the factors to be considered when going about making difficult decisions in situations where there may be conflicting ethical imperatives.

Ajahn Brahm doesn't tell the audience what decision to make when it comes to contraversial ethical issues, but rather offers the listener a guide to how to make the decisions wisely and ethically.

Ajahn Brahm talks about the relationship between compassion and stillness (peace in meditation) in that when one is more compassionate and kind to others, this often strengthens our own spiritual qualities, including stillness.

Using the analogy of a bush fire, Ajahn Vayama explains how to put out the fires of suffering in our lives.

Venerable Upasama has started teaching and will be a most welcome teacher at The Armadale Meditation Group. Venerable gave a Dharma Talk on the teachings of Buddha, then an excellent meditation and concluded the night by making us all laugh.

The problem many people have with meditation is that they try so hard and try the wrong way. Ajahn Brahm explains how to have nice meditation by stopping the trying, and just letting go.