01:19 Meditate Together

14:25 Could we say the Advaita Vedanta (non-duality) self-awareness (I am sense) practice falls under the mind or feeling foundation of satipatthana when we note “knowing, knowing” and would that be a valid satipatthana practice on its own ignoring all other foundations and experiences?

15:16 I often feel so tired and depressed I can hardly move from bed or do anything productive. When lying in bed, I note rising and falling. Is there anything else I can do?

17:33 Is drinking alcohol even once a week bad for mindfulness and meditation? And if so, why?

19:21 I think that the noting often comes after the actual event. Is this not a problem?

20:12 Everything created has a creator. Why not acknowledge a source for our existence? Notas a vindictive omniscient omnipotent eternal being with human-like temperament and defilements, but rather a benevolent source permeating and encompassing all existence and awareness, which we on complete enlightenment merge into and become one with? Would not having such an attitude of reverence and awe provide greater inspiration for sincere and earnest practice leading to enlightenment?

25:21 How can previous practice of attending to the breath sensations in my nostrils be incorporated into the noting practice, particularly when the mind tends to remain focused on the breath sensations?

26:50 I have a scar on my body that makes me feel ugly and disgusting and experience anxiety and irritation as well. It’s even interfering with my work. Is the solution just to note it?

29:16 What do you recommend for one who came from an occult/esoteric path that taught meditation differently than Buddhism? How does one get a correct view of meditation?

30:26 How do you meditate and not get bored? I get bored after a couple minutes of sitting.

32:04 With the use of certain mind-altering substances such as cannabis, can it still be possible to observe consciousness and an individual's experience with good intentions?

35:04 Should I note an unpleasant situation as unpleasant or the feelings that arise from them such as anger, etc.? Is it best to note whichever is more prominent?

36:17 Is Nibbana about destroying the rising and falling of different karmic concepts in both the mental and physical aspects of human beings?

37:01 In the Maha Satipatthana Sutta, it defines right samadhi as the 4 jhanas. What place does this have in the Mahasi noting pratice?

41:59 I lose my mindfulness with certain foods. Should I avoid those foods so long as I like them or Is this considered "control"?

43:16 I have fear towards impermanence in meditation. Do you have advice for this?

43:58 I feel intense subconscious hatred and resentment towards my father, because of the way he was ignorant and the way he treated me as I was growing up, and even now the way he treats me. Any tips on overcoming this and similar deeply ingrained childhood issues?

46:05 I often meditate while I walk to work every day. Is there anything wrong with walking meditation at a brisk pace? If so, does noting the lifting/placing of the feet remain the same?

47:28 In social aspects, I seem to have pretty bad tendencies & bad karma stored from the childhood. Not only does it create much external worldly problems for me, but on top of it I create additional worry, anxiety and all sorts of bad karma, which also hinders meditation later. Any tips on effectively managing all this?

47:38 I often meditate while I walk to work every day. Is there anything wrong with walking meditation at a brisk pace? If so, does noting the lifting/placing of the feet remain the same?

48:09 In social aspects, I seem to have pretty bad tendencies & bad karma stored from the childhood. Not only does it create much external worldly problems for me, but on top of it I create additional worry, anxiety and all sorts of bad karma, which also hinders meditation later. Any tips on effectively managing all this?

51:07 If enlightened beings do not wish for rebirth, is it for rebirth in the lower realms? Or no rebirth at all? If no rebirth at all, how does that relate to dependent origination?

53:20 Doesn't Arhantship make you end the nama and rupa of things, such as rising and falling, which is kamma? Isn't that Arahantship? That's why it is impossible for an arahant to suffer, because things doesnt arise.

54:57 Are there things like demonic possession in Buddhism? I have started experiencing a lot of extreme phenomena after one meditation retreat last year. Do Buddhists do exorcisms?

 

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