This talk / Q&A was originally posted on Ven. Yuttadhammo Bhikkhu’s YouTube Channel. To watch it on YouTube kindly click here.
06:20 On the topic of... The Teaching of All Buddhas
21:11 I told a lie to my boss during my Interview. I don't know that it affected the outcome (accepted a job offer). I feel like I was almost unconsciously trying to protect myself. Should I tell him the truth?
22:35 I have chronic ringing in my ears, and it interferes with my practice. The feeling of fear and dread about it doesn't stop even though I note it. Any advice?
24:30 Can you elaborate on how not to jump around too much from object to object? Sometimes it feels impossible not to and my entire session I have little concentration.
25:44 I feel I have been using meditation as a mechanism of detachment from the world, from people, and from myself; to run from feelings, both pleasurable and unpleasant. Not as a way to overcome clinging and aversion, but as a mechanism of aversion. How should I proceed, or what should I do?
27:09 If we can only do one, should we do formal meditation before or after breakfast?
28:52 I sometimes react with "so what?" like "sitting, sitting... so what?" What could I note there?
29:25 I rewatched your famous addiction video. Can you elaborate on not indulging thoughts vs letting them come up? Specifically in regards to lust.
30:51 How do you watch the breath without manually controlling it?
32:19 Are there any downsides to spending too much time in solitude?
33:40 Is it okay to move during meditation?
33:57 When does noting become judgment? Like if I'm feeling bored should I note "bored" or "thinking"?
35:51 I have been having difficulty letting go of someone I deeply care for. How do I let go?
37:07 By noting everything isn't there a danger of relying too much on language?
37:41 After practicing meditation for a while I somehow feel some resistance towards meditation. Is this normal?
38:22 My practice has become pretty stale and laborious. It feels like a chore, including informal mindfulness. Any advice?
39:33 When I lose track of noting and get lost in thoughts after sometime, I realize I'm lost in thoughts. I notice there is some judgment and get frustrated that I'm not good at this. Any advice?
40:54 How would you note going up/down from stairs? Walking?
41:38 How do you deal with highly destructive emotions that arise very quickly and completely throw off one’s attempts to better oneself?
42:21 How can we increase the aptitude of awareness/mindfulness? Is it through meditation practice and/or following Dhamma?
42:44 I am used to meditating with no "centre" (rising/falling) and just noting everything; since experience never stops, how do I know when to return to rising/falling and not note the next thing I notice?
44:20 If in my native language it is not possible to express verb-based experience without the reference to the "doer", should I refer to myself (I am walking), the mind (he is walking) or something else?
45:18 In seeing an attractive person there's just too much things involved quickly and intensely! thinking, feeling, liking, pleasure. The mind jumps and it's impossible to follow everything! What can I do?
46:07 Is mindfulness meditation more about “acting enlightened” than working towards enlightenment?
46:54 Has it become more difficult to attain enlightenment in our time given how much distraction and negative impression surrounds us?
47:24 You mentioned mindfulness is not a good translation of sati. Can you please elaborate what is sati?
48:37 The Buddha put a lot of emphasis on samadhi. As I understand, it is a practice of one-pointed concentration. Can doing noticing practice put us in samadhi?
51:08 I want to meditate but due to the nature of my mind I find myself not meditating at all. I can be quick to shift moods and struggle to not engage in entertainment. What would you suggest?
52:06 When I'm ‘losing control’ due to sensuality, how can I step back and slow down? Mentally speaking
53:10 How does one cultivate confidence in the practice?
54:06 How can one deal with feelings of recurring anxiety?
55:38 I noticed that when I catch myself in a certain thought that comes up, it vanishes immediately. Is that seeing it clearly or is it me trying to stop thinking?
56:56 Is it okay to note "feeling" when I “feel that I am doing well" for example, if I also use feeling for feelings in the body?
57:50 Why ts doubt a hindrance? If I doubt that someone will show up to work for example, is that a hindrance?
58:43 Will we lose the gifts from meditating, if we stop for a period? Is it use it or lose it, like with building muscles?
1:00:44 Sadhu...
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