This talk / Q&A was originally posted on Ven. Yuttadhammo Bhikkhu’s YouTube Channel. To watch it on YouTube kindly click here.
02:29 Meditate Together
15:28 Is it suboptimal if the "ing" on "rising" is sometimes partially concurrent with the very beginning of the falling motion? Seems unavoidable unless I anticipate end of rising motion, stretch the "ing".
16:30 It seems like I have to meditate over 3 hours a day to not feel depressed or neurotic, etc. Is this a potential sign of inefficient practice?
18:09 Sometimes I feel in meditation as if my soul or some energy inside me is getting pulled up, like I feel as if lam miles above my body, is this normal?
19:43 How do I deal with anxiety about meditating? I'm a naturally anxious person and sometimes during meditation my mind tells me if I keep meditating it will make me go crazy. Is that even possible?
21:54 Will my laziness and apathy subside if I focus on the sensation while noting “lazy, lazy, lazy’?
23:27 I can't think and be aware at the same time. So if I mentally note "rising "during the whole rising, I can only be aware of words. How do I do this? Seems like I can only be aware if I don't think of the words at the same time.
24:32 Mindfulness gives meditators sharp minds and wisdom. Do scientists, inventors, and politicians also have mindfulness, or do they have to think a lot to have best minds?
26:08 What advice could you give someone who lucid dreams very frequently and wakes up exhausted as if they just lived another life? Sleeping less doesn't help because that person will dream within.
26:58 Can you touch on step 12 of Anapanasati called "gladdening the mind" and please elaborate on how to practice it?
27:18 Now I am full of sensations but no equanimity, and when I watch the sensations they are always intense. I can't use breath as it triggers migraines. How do I get over this state and feel motivated?
28:46 Today's society expects us to indulge in sensual pleasures and to achieve worldly success. How does one deal with this?
29:35 Can meditation or the theory of Buddhism help with me paranoia?
30:49 Learning from books and talks, I think I have understood and can live as per the dhamma, away from sensual desires. But I keep failing. I took one vacation and found enjoying myself a lot, unmindful. Do you have any advice?
31:56 I want to fully believe in Buddhist practices, but I am having trouble understanding how Karma is not simply blind faith. Can you help me understand?
32:58 How do we help ourselves not react so strongly to thoughts that provoke us? I notice when I react to thoughts, but the compulsion to react is so strong that I find myself reacting even when I'm aware of it.
34:23 How do we not judge thoughts as good or bad?
35:02 As far as I understand this is Mahasi tradition. I would like to continue practicing Samatha, but also to explore this tradition. Can I do both?
35:35 When I note the touching, I am aware of the object as it is, but right after there is the image that my mind uses to recognize the object. Should I note this also? Is it defilement? A need for security?
36:20 The rising and falling seem fluid, without any pause between, so I can't fit the "ing" on rising in before the beginning of the falling, is this maybe too obsessive?
38:45 How does one deal with intense sensations all over the body when they are overwhelming?
39:28 Why does Samsara exist?
39:45 In work and daily life, in general, is it advisable to be passive or to go with the flow of things more, instead of trying to manipulate or control situations, etc. even if it's somewhat affected?
40:59 Is it possible to study mindfully as one is reading? It's not possible note reading cause the mind is occupied with the study material.
42:28 Will I be able to feel the uniform subtle sensations throughout the body with the mahashi method?
44:05 How can a Westerner can become a monk? What steps do you need to take?
44:54 How does one approach cravings?
45:45 Does making a determination help you achieve mundane things?
46:24 I had a tooth pain when I started meditation. One hour into meditation the pain was gone. Was that probably because I forgot about the tooth pain or the power of the meditation?
47:33 How does one approach and deal with cravings to watch pornography?
49:54 I'm not living in reality when playing video games and wish I was with others in the "real world", sadly. I have no friends near. I'm mindful of this but if I don't play, I'm lost. What do you suggest?
50:29 I am a simple graduate, unemployed, non-native English man, non-vegetarian and 34 years old. Can I learn and adapt this program for a peaceful life?
52:07 When you are noting an object, if another experience pops up, should you Start noting the new experience or should you keep noting the current object until it disappears?
53:17 Can making a determination be a substitute for insight meditation?
54:49 Does mindful meditation take you to the various attainments that are mentioned such as sotapanna, etc., and finally attain nibbana?
56:14 I try my best to incorporate the simple life, without passions and attachement, however I am realizing I'm too attached and kind of afraid to let go of the usual way of my conventional self. How do I move on?
57:29 Is mantra meditation the same as how we chant mantras a few hundred times for deities so that they grant our wishes as it is done in Hindu tradition?
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