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This is a recording of a question and answers session normally done every evening during retreat:

(00:00) − You mentioned that for meditation, it helps to focus on the here and now, like breathing, walking or yoga. Would focusing on petting ones cat be the same, could that be meditate?
(02:51) − Often when I am observing my breathing closely, the closer I watch, the more I realise that I am all doing the breathing, in stead of letting it breath on its own. Should I just observe myself doing the breathing, in stead of struggling to stop?
(05:54) − Most comfortably, my legs take turn going numb. Is it a matter of habit?
(09:45) − What is the mental action that corresponds to putting the glass of water down on the floor, so that it can fall into silence?
(11:26) − Is there any effect meditating with the palms up, or palms down?
(14:25) − What happened to your brother, Nitho − you said he inspired you to do meditations? Was he also a monk?
(18:14) − Morning teaching: 

The peace and happiness inside, I want to catch it but it just hide.
Today I had a teaching and now I know, you can only find peace and happiness by letting go.
If you still need to do it − to act, add kindness it will have a huge impact.
To all you with an active mind − just remember, be kind.

(19:10) − When I meditate in day-to-day life, while not on a retreat. I find in may take two hour to find some ease. So far in this retreat, it feels like this in minutes. Any recommendations for the causes required to perhaps finding this easy in day-to-day life?
(22:22) − Where can I read about the eight fold path?
(24:32) − How can I know the difference between deep meditation and falling a sleep and dreaming, while sitting?
(27:32) − How do I make the best out of karma-yoga?
(31:05) − If I give my best, but make absolutely no progress at all after eight days, it is still okay alright?
(35:10) − Can we at some point during the retreat have metta meditation with Venerable Canda canting in the end, please?
(35:32) − How have your dreams changed during your journey since you discovered meditation, or have they changed at all?
(39:26) − How do you feel right now?
(41:58) − Can you give some examples of topics you have addressed in the course of private interviews in the past?

This teaching was given at Venabu 2024:
https://dnbf.org/en/2024/04/venabu-retreat-2024/

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Ajahn Brahm and Ven Canda were invited to the House of Litterature in Oslo, to talk about our complicated minds - which always have to find fault.

This teaching was given in Oslo 2022:
https://dnbf.org/en/2022/11/its-not-your-fault/

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Please, feel free to recommend this podcast to your friends!

Feedback
If you have feedback or questions about this podcast, send an email to: [email protected]

Donation
The non-profit society DNBF together with the instructor has produced and distributed this podcast for free and without advertising, but we are dependent on financial support through one-time donations or monthly patron donations for our operation and development:

Anukampa - https://anukampaproject.org/donate/
DNBF Donation - https://dnbf.org/en/donation/
DNBF Patron - https://dnbf.org/en/patron/

Newsletter
Subscribe to our newsletter to receive information about our activities:
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Sometimes meditation is frustrating and disappointing, then we should practice insights. And just as in the story of Sam and Vi, each with their dog, Metta and Anapana, climbs a mountain both for deep peace and a clear view, so we can climb the meditation mountain inside. 

But we have blind spots, we see only what we want to see, and don't see what we don't want to see. Real insights goes much deeper then you think is obvious, and wisdom is not believing what you see. And few stories highlight these blind spots. Basically, you need a strong mind to see clearly! 

And on the way to the big insights and stages of awakening, there are many smaller wisdoms to develop − our minds have powerful abilities and we can even remembering our past lives.  

This teaching was given in Oslo 2022:
https://dnbf.org/en/2022/11/ajahn-brahm-weekend-retreat/

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Please, feel free to recommend this podcast to your friends!

Feedback
If you have feedback or questions about this podcast, send an email to: [email protected]

Donation
The non-profit society DNBF together with the instructor has produced and distributed this podcast for free and without advertising, but we are dependent on financial support through one-time donations or monthly patron donations for our operation and development:

DNBF Donation - https://dnbf.org/en/donation/
DNBF Patron - https://dnbf.org/en/patron/

Newsletter
Subscribe to our newsletter to receive information about our activities:
https://dnbf.org/en/newsletter/

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Buddhism is not a religion of belief, but a training to empower ourselves to develop wisdom and happiness, based on our own experience. Some people, the bhikkhunis and bhikkhus, do this training full time, and then become teachers for others. And maybe the most important aspekt is kindness, and a few good stories are told about how kindness can help, both when one encounters poisonous snakes, or when you need building approval from the municipality. But the talk starts by answering a deeper question about meditation. 

This teaching was given in Oslo 2022:
https://dnbf.org/en/2022/11/ajahn-brahm-weekend-retreat/

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Please, feel free to recommend this podcast to your friends!

Feedback
If you have feedback or questions about this podcast, send an email to: [email protected]

Donation
The non-profit society DNBF together with the instructor has produced and distributed this podcast for free and without advertising, but we are dependent on financial support through one-time donations or monthly patron donations for our operation and development:

DNBF Donation - https://dnbf.org/en/donation/
DNBF Patron - https://dnbf.org/en/patron/

Newsletter
Subscribe to our newsletter to receive information about our activities:
https://dnbf.org/en/newsletter/

Membership
You are welcome as a member, and we have a lot to offer in terms of activities:
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Problems
If you have a problem with this podcast, send an email to: [email protected]

These questions were asked and answered:

(00:00) − Christmas family time - I find it really difficult when I gather with my big family for Christmas for many days, can you give some advice on how to handle the lack of silence, the negative discussions, they love to discuss all the problems in the world, the overload of thing and food, everybody has so much, and all want to buy more?
(12:05) − Do you currently have ties in the Thai sangha? (the bhikkhuni controversy)
(20:23) − Are you supporting the Thai bhikkhunis in Thailand? If so, how?
(23:29) − Through deep hypnosis, I broke through and came into a state of bliss. This is my first experience of a nimitta. The following day I wanted to get back to this, and tried to force myself back to the beach, and the dark night, but I terrified because I am sure I saw some demons. Is this real? Is this made by my mind because I tried to force it back to the blissful state? Luckily have have experience nimittas on retreat after this, but then i don't let go, and stay for hours. Can you go in and out of this stage? Is it like riding a bicycle when you get the experience?
(33:53) − Ever so often, I experience the biggest effect of meditation. After the meditation, when I don't try to meditation, I fall into deep meditation.
(37:02) − No self, how to explain to my husband that his wife does not exist?
(41:57) − How do you find the right balance between doubt and faith/trust in Buddhism? I feel like too much doubt becomes a hindrance, faith without some doubt becomes blind faith. Any input or thought on this?
(50:43) − I can only focus on three consecutive breaths before my mind wanders off. What am I doing wrong in the previous stage?
(57:31) − My parents are kind people, but I never feel close or good connection with them in my head, spending half a day with my mother is enough for me each time I visit them. How can I let go of the guilty feeling I have to be there for my parents (78 and 81 years old), when they seem like they don't need me.
(1:00:35) − What is the Buddha's way of seeing the war in Ukraine, and other wars. What to do with Putin?
(1:03:39) − Could you please tell us more about breathing during the meditation.
(1:11:08) − During breathing meditation, I have the feeling that the breath is not right, I am loosing my breath when meditating.
(1:12:13) − Can you please tell us a bit more about full bhikkhuni ordination for women. Why is it important that woman can receive full ordination, compared to other arrangements, such as maechi and others. And what are the arguments from those monks who disagree with you?
(1:13:47) − How to deal with facial muscle tensions?
(1:14:22) − How to deal with chronic pain during meditation?
(1:18:22) − The Buddha developed the teaching of an-atman, contra the Hindu atman, if there are no self, what is then that goes on to be reincarnated or reborn?
(1:22:06) − What is the difference between reincarnation and rebirth?
(1:22:33) − If there is no God, why does Buddhist pray?

This teaching was given in Oslo 2022:
https://dnbf.org/en/2022/11/ajahn-brahm-weekend-retreat/

- - -

Please, feel free to recommend this podcast to your friends!

Feedback
If you have feedback or questions about this podcast, send an email to: [email protected]

Donation
The non-profit society DNBF together with the instructor has produced and distributed this podcast for free and without advertising, but we are dependent on financial support through one-time donations or monthly patron donations for our operation and development:

DNBF Donation - https://dnbf.org/en/donation/
DNBF Patron - https://dnbf.org/en/patron/

Newsletter
Subscribe to our newsletter to receive information about our activities:
https://dnbf.org/en/newsletter/

Membership
You are welcome as a member, and we have a lot to offer in terms of activities:
https://dnbf.org/en/membership/

Problems
If you have a problem with this podcast, send an email to: [email protected]

Training the mind, is not forcing the mind, but understanding and working with your mind. One problem is that we think we own our meditation, but if we can look at ourselves as guests − then there is less to do, and we can relax.

And as we meditate deeper and deeper, it is like the mind opens up like a lotus flower - layer by layer. First into the present moment, then into silence, then into breathing, then into joy and delight. Even deeper in, we get to stages of lights and brightness, before entering those powerful stages of jhana.

And interestingly enough, these jhana stages has probably been attained by spiritual seekers from other traditions as well.

This teaching was given in Oslo 2022:
https://dnbf.org/en/2022/11/ajahn-brahm-weekend-retreat/

- - -

Please, feel free to recommend this podcast to your friends!

Feedback
If you have feedback or questions about this podcast, send an email to: [email protected]

Donation
The non-profit society DNBF together with the instructor has produced and distributed this podcast for free and without advertising, but we are dependent on financial support through one-time donations or monthly patron donations for our operation and development:

DNBF Donation - https://dnbf.org/en/donation/
DNBF Patron - https://dnbf.org/en/patron/

Newsletter
Subscribe to our newsletter to receive information about our activities:
https://dnbf.org/en/newsletter/

Membership
You are welcome as a member, and we have a lot to offer in terms of activities:
https://dnbf.org/en/membership/

Problems
If you have a problem with this podcast, send an email to: [email protected]

This is an introduction to meditation talk, given in Oslo in 2022. It starts by focusing on right motivation − letting go, kindness and gentleness. This motivation will guide our minds towards peace and stillness, by not using force, but allowing stillness to arise just as water in a drinking glass. It is the winds of wanting that makes our mind move away for peace.

Silence is delightful, and also creates a clear bright mind, which can see things clearly. And that clarity of mind can be applied to your body for health, and also towards your mind to deepen your peace and develop wisdom.

This teaching was given in Oslo 2022:
https://dnbf.org/en/2022/11/ajahn-brahm-weekend-retreat/

- - -

Please, feel free to recommend this podcast to your friends!

Feedback
If you have feedback or questions about this podcast, send an email to: [email protected]

Donation
The non-profit society DNBF together with the instructor has produced and distributed this podcast for free and without advertising, but we are dependent on financial support through one-time donations or monthly patron donations for our operation and development:

DNBF Donation - https://dnbf.org/en/donation/
DNBF Patron - https://dnbf.org/en/patron/

Newsletter
Subscribe to our newsletter to receive information about our activities:
https://dnbf.org/en/newsletter/

Membership
You are welcome as a member, and we have a lot to offer in terms of activities:
https://dnbf.org/en/membership/

Problems
If you have a problem with this podcast, send an email to: [email protected]