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Meditation Q&A, May 23, 2020
This talk / Q&A was originally posted on Ven. Yuttadhammo Bhikkhu’s YouTube Channel. To watch it on YouTube kindly click here.
00:00 Start
07:16 When noting a difficult experience, I sometimes get overwhelmed. Is retreating to the rising and falling allowed? Will I be able to bear more as I practice more?
07:54 When I do not do the noting “thinking thinking thinking”, it becomes wanting. It seems, every second I am not noting like this, I am creating. Is the little noting I’m doing even worth anything?
09:12 I'd like to hear your views on the 5 hindrances, please.
10:14 If you become aware by mindfulness and need to make a decision, mindfulness alone does not deal with making the decision itself, correct?
11:23 I apologise if this is in your booklets. When I try equanimity and detachment, I find I become uncompassionate; when I try to become compassionate, It leads to attachment. Any help please.
14:26 Is killing mosquitoes and insects is wrong... Also is eating eggs wrong?
15:26 What does it mean to practice mindfulness of Dhamma the fourth foundation? What do we say? Or we think about the 5 aggregates or 4 noble truths and so on?
16:39 I have learned (from non-buddhist sources) to "identify" as the constant awareness in all experience. Does buddhist meditation allow a similar thinking, or is it different?
18:12 I have experienced that everything is a state of mind and it changes uncontrollably. Also I see that this knowledge can be forgotten and there is no way I can control it. Do we have any control?
19:04 Being very aware during the day and during meditation: do you actually say with the voice in your head: “walking walking” or “breathing in, breathing out“? Or are you just aware of the present without a label?
19:38 Is it normal to feel pain in the head during the mindfulness meditation? Like feeling physical vibrations in the brain or feeling a heavy headache.
20:19 Have you ever mediated facing a blank wall with eyes slightly open? Is this not better because it resists sleepiness?
21:11 I have always had trouble with laziness. I am practising according to your instructions at least an hour a day. Will this solve the problem or should I do other things in addition to practising?
22:11 Is receiving and eating donated food essential to being a Buddhist or being a monk?
22:40 How to get motivated to meditate? I find myself making excuses all the time
23:59 How do mind states like doubt fit into the six sense doors? Is it feelings doing meditation to rewire key parts of your brain a good approach to this meditation technique? For example studies have shown it directly shrinks the fear parts of the brain with more meditation.
25:50 Is one form of meditation more beneficial than another (sitting, lying down or walking)?
26:31 When I'm noting something it feels like I'm forcing the noting without mindfulness which results in tightness in my throat, what should I do? I have tried to note "feeling" but it keeps happening.
27:51 Is there an method of quelling the disdain from people who do not care to understand the disciplines involved in my daily practice?
28:29 When I try to maintain mindfulness outside of the formal meditation sessions, I find that it is difficult to do this when I am working, as my attention is fully with the task. How should I note this?
29:27 I find it more difficult to focus and be mindful when I am out in society. Usually there is too much going on and I get stuck. Any advice on dealing with overwhelming amounts of stimulus?
30:27 What is the best form of meditation to attain nirvana? Is it observation of one’s breath ?
30:59 Bhante, in Satipatthana meditation, do you sometimes advise students to change the technique of meditation when Dhamma Vicaya overpowers other Bojjangas?
31:54 I have had experiences in meditation where all senses seem to be gone. I have heard of concepts of Jhanas or even Nibbanna. However, I just feel like I may just have fallen asleep?
32:47 Doing only good and dwelling in Infinity friendliness (metta) towards every living being in everyday live as often as possible: Is that a good approach to a divine rebirth or is this too banal?
33:41 I am learning about the silent Iumination technique and I was wondering: Should you use noting during this? Also is emptiness the same as non existence?
34:10 If the Pali canon does not specify the exact method of meditation then can someone keep their eyes slightly open regardless of why it's done and is it done while walking already?
35:50 When there is fear, should you say fearing or heart beating fast stomach pain etc.?
36:30 Isn't noting a way of controlling the mind? Doesn't it create a false sense of continuity/self?
37:39 Following up about the six sense doors. If all our experiences arise through the six sense doors, isn’t doubt just thinking? When I experience doubt it’s always a thought. Isn’t doubt thought content?
39:08 I have put a lot of effort in studying music and learning to dance. How could one use wisely mundane talents to progress in the dharma for the benefit of self and others?
40:21 Can I mix mantra meditation technique with breathing meditation?
42:57 If mindfulness is worth cultivating, is love also worth cultivating?
44:58 Is just noting enough? Should one intervene when hindrances present themselves?
45:46 Is there a true self or no self at all?
47:22 How important is being in the presence of a living guru? Is there any hope for those who are not so lucky?
49:14 I notice I am more aware of the thoughts and feelings of others… and I "see" their defilements this disturbs me, and I fear also they could see mine.
49:40 What to do when you can't note everything that arises? Sometimes I focus on feelings, but then suddenly notice mind stuff arising and it's alot. Should I still not "feeling" but be mindful of mind as well?
50:26 It is difficult for me to stay mindful, when there are constant demands, kids, pets, school, work, cooking and laundry... any advice for being constantly busy and staying mindful?
51:35 If one is mindful why would one have to consider wholesomeness?
54:38 I practice mindfulness meditation during the day per the prescribed steps and have a separate meditation session at night where I practice Kriya cobra breath. Do you see a conflict with this approach?
56:38 Is it fine to practice meditation purely for psychological reasons? For example to deal with depression, stress etc.
58:27 Is not Right Effort in dealing with the 5 hindrances of utmost importance?
59:21 How often should someone meditate everyday?
1:00:03 Why is there so much evil and suffering in the world?
1:01:28 Did S. N. Goenka teach basically the same thing as you do?
1:01:46 Does self inquiry appear in Buddhism? This is considered a direct path to Enlightenment in non duality. What's your opinion?
1:02:12 Any neurophysiological markers that we reached the enlightenment or deepest of meditation?
1:03:14 I find that when labeling things as they arise during meditation, the labeling is a thought in itself. This keeps me from seeing the full contents of what I'm observing. Any advice? Keep labeling?
1:04:23 Is your technique Vipassana Meditation?
1:04:49 How does meditation remove greed, ignorance and anger? Is the removal of those hindrances as a result of moral living i.e. eightfold path or result of meditation?
1:06:58 Are long Vipassana retreats meditating all day long necessary for enlightenment or can one meditate 1-2 hours a day with dedication?
1:08:24 Please suggest some books on Satipatthana Sutta.
1:09:34 Is physical pain the same as suffering?
1:10:02 Why do I get more impatient and short tempered if I meditate?
Our podcasts: https://podcast.sirimangalo.org/
How To Meditate Booklet: https://htm.sirimangalo.org/
Our Meditation Community and At-Home Meditation Course signup page: https://meditation.sirimangalo.org/
Our Website: https://www.sirimangalo.org/
Supporting This Work: https://www.sirimangalo.org/support
"
View all episodes
By Yuttadhammo BhikkhuThis talk / Q&A was originally posted on Ven. Yuttadhammo Bhikkhu’s YouTube Channel. To watch it on YouTube kindly click here.
00:00 Start
07:16 When noting a difficult experience, I sometimes get overwhelmed. Is retreating to the rising and falling allowed? Will I be able to bear more as I practice more?
07:54 When I do not do the noting “thinking thinking thinking”, it becomes wanting. It seems, every second I am not noting like this, I am creating. Is the little noting I’m doing even worth anything?
09:12 I'd like to hear your views on the 5 hindrances, please.
10:14 If you become aware by mindfulness and need to make a decision, mindfulness alone does not deal with making the decision itself, correct?
11:23 I apologise if this is in your booklets. When I try equanimity and detachment, I find I become uncompassionate; when I try to become compassionate, It leads to attachment. Any help please.
14:26 Is killing mosquitoes and insects is wrong... Also is eating eggs wrong?
15:26 What does it mean to practice mindfulness of Dhamma the fourth foundation? What do we say? Or we think about the 5 aggregates or 4 noble truths and so on?
16:39 I have learned (from non-buddhist sources) to "identify" as the constant awareness in all experience. Does buddhist meditation allow a similar thinking, or is it different?
18:12 I have experienced that everything is a state of mind and it changes uncontrollably. Also I see that this knowledge can be forgotten and there is no way I can control it. Do we have any control?
19:04 Being very aware during the day and during meditation: do you actually say with the voice in your head: “walking walking” or “breathing in, breathing out“? Or are you just aware of the present without a label?
19:38 Is it normal to feel pain in the head during the mindfulness meditation? Like feeling physical vibrations in the brain or feeling a heavy headache.
20:19 Have you ever mediated facing a blank wall with eyes slightly open? Is this not better because it resists sleepiness?
21:11 I have always had trouble with laziness. I am practising according to your instructions at least an hour a day. Will this solve the problem or should I do other things in addition to practising?
22:11 Is receiving and eating donated food essential to being a Buddhist or being a monk?
22:40 How to get motivated to meditate? I find myself making excuses all the time
23:59 How do mind states like doubt fit into the six sense doors? Is it feelings doing meditation to rewire key parts of your brain a good approach to this meditation technique? For example studies have shown it directly shrinks the fear parts of the brain with more meditation.
25:50 Is one form of meditation more beneficial than another (sitting, lying down or walking)?
26:31 When I'm noting something it feels like I'm forcing the noting without mindfulness which results in tightness in my throat, what should I do? I have tried to note "feeling" but it keeps happening.
27:51 Is there an method of quelling the disdain from people who do not care to understand the disciplines involved in my daily practice?
28:29 When I try to maintain mindfulness outside of the formal meditation sessions, I find that it is difficult to do this when I am working, as my attention is fully with the task. How should I note this?
29:27 I find it more difficult to focus and be mindful when I am out in society. Usually there is too much going on and I get stuck. Any advice on dealing with overwhelming amounts of stimulus?
30:27 What is the best form of meditation to attain nirvana? Is it observation of one’s breath ?
30:59 Bhante, in Satipatthana meditation, do you sometimes advise students to change the technique of meditation when Dhamma Vicaya overpowers other Bojjangas?
31:54 I have had experiences in meditation where all senses seem to be gone. I have heard of concepts of Jhanas or even Nibbanna. However, I just feel like I may just have fallen asleep?
32:47 Doing only good and dwelling in Infinity friendliness (metta) towards every living being in everyday live as often as possible: Is that a good approach to a divine rebirth or is this too banal?
33:41 I am learning about the silent Iumination technique and I was wondering: Should you use noting during this? Also is emptiness the same as non existence?
34:10 If the Pali canon does not specify the exact method of meditation then can someone keep their eyes slightly open regardless of why it's done and is it done while walking already?
35:50 When there is fear, should you say fearing or heart beating fast stomach pain etc.?
36:30 Isn't noting a way of controlling the mind? Doesn't it create a false sense of continuity/self?
37:39 Following up about the six sense doors. If all our experiences arise through the six sense doors, isn’t doubt just thinking? When I experience doubt it’s always a thought. Isn’t doubt thought content?
39:08 I have put a lot of effort in studying music and learning to dance. How could one use wisely mundane talents to progress in the dharma for the benefit of self and others?
40:21 Can I mix mantra meditation technique with breathing meditation?
42:57 If mindfulness is worth cultivating, is love also worth cultivating?
44:58 Is just noting enough? Should one intervene when hindrances present themselves?
45:46 Is there a true self or no self at all?
47:22 How important is being in the presence of a living guru? Is there any hope for those who are not so lucky?
49:14 I notice I am more aware of the thoughts and feelings of others… and I "see" their defilements this disturbs me, and I fear also they could see mine.
49:40 What to do when you can't note everything that arises? Sometimes I focus on feelings, but then suddenly notice mind stuff arising and it's alot. Should I still not "feeling" but be mindful of mind as well?
50:26 It is difficult for me to stay mindful, when there are constant demands, kids, pets, school, work, cooking and laundry... any advice for being constantly busy and staying mindful?
51:35 If one is mindful why would one have to consider wholesomeness?
54:38 I practice mindfulness meditation during the day per the prescribed steps and have a separate meditation session at night where I practice Kriya cobra breath. Do you see a conflict with this approach?
56:38 Is it fine to practice meditation purely for psychological reasons? For example to deal with depression, stress etc.
58:27 Is not Right Effort in dealing with the 5 hindrances of utmost importance?
59:21 How often should someone meditate everyday?
1:00:03 Why is there so much evil and suffering in the world?
1:01:28 Did S. N. Goenka teach basically the same thing as you do?
1:01:46 Does self inquiry appear in Buddhism? This is considered a direct path to Enlightenment in non duality. What's your opinion?
1:02:12 Any neurophysiological markers that we reached the enlightenment or deepest of meditation?
1:03:14 I find that when labeling things as they arise during meditation, the labeling is a thought in itself. This keeps me from seeing the full contents of what I'm observing. Any advice? Keep labeling?
1:04:23 Is your technique Vipassana Meditation?
1:04:49 How does meditation remove greed, ignorance and anger? Is the removal of those hindrances as a result of moral living i.e. eightfold path or result of meditation?
1:06:58 Are long Vipassana retreats meditating all day long necessary for enlightenment or can one meditate 1-2 hours a day with dedication?
1:08:24 Please suggest some books on Satipatthana Sutta.
1:09:34 Is physical pain the same as suffering?
1:10:02 Why do I get more impatient and short tempered if I meditate?
Our podcasts: https://podcast.sirimangalo.org/
How To Meditate Booklet: https://htm.sirimangalo.org/
Our Meditation Community and At-Home Meditation Course signup page: https://meditation.sirimangalo.org/
Our Website: https://www.sirimangalo.org/
Supporting This Work: https://www.sirimangalo.org/support
"
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