How we understand death dharmically and in our personal lives holds the potential for mindfulness of death in ways that enrich and bring the fruits of the dharma into our lives.

Q1 - What would you suggest as priorities for lay practice, recollections to establish a steady orientation to Dhamma?; 13:08 Q2 - Mindfulness when talking and using computers etc.; 18:30 Q3 - Energy, qi, anapanasati and integration of energy; 26:24 Q4 – I feel lots of unpleasant skin sensations when sitting, What might these be? 28:46 Q5 You’ve referred to integrating energy as a new way to consider. What does this mean? 36:09 Q9 Why couldn’t it be that nibbana is like chasing the unicorn; 37:23 Q10 Can you speak about wisdom and samadhi; 40:33 Q11 Can you provide some guidance on mudita, rapture (piti) and stability/ staying grounded; 44:52 Q12 Contemplating the arising of the ‘me’ sense, dependent on phenomena.

The body is the first door to awakening. When the body is at ease, the mind more easily follows. We begin with intentional, kind attention to the body before turning awareness to an object of focus. Curiosity and investigation of the arisings and passing away of sensation in the body cultivates intimacy with habits of mind and corresponding body sensations.

00:18 Q1 It said that the awakened ones attained nibbana through mindfulness of the body. What about going through the formless realms? How do you maintain awareness of the body until nibbana? 13:02 Q2 I consider that for nibbana it requires mindfulness to be present every second, not just a while but continuously. This may be uncomfortable, perhaps we should bite the bullet and speak it out. On the other hand it's common when one has a strong practice for extended hours, for a few hours to think maybe I'm close? 25:35 Q3 Can you say more about the cultivation of the measureless states. 34:39 Q4 Ajahn Chah says something like happiness and unhappiness are both suffering and Buddhism seeks peace not happiness. Could you help me hear that as less of a bummer? 37:32 Q5 A person mentions that both teachers on the retreat like each other and are happy not just peaceful. Could you speak about this? And, why do you bother to dress your salad? 40:57 Q6 Regarding the spinal, sense could you please expand on this as a place of security and refuge, neutrality and Buddha. Does it have anything to do with the chakras? 48:35 Q7 Can you talk about practice to forgive oneself and others?

This talk overviews the four foundations of mindfulness, and then explores the second foundation of vedana, feeling tone, as a doorway to freedom.

Ajahn responds to several questions around the themes: Is it necessary to have an attitude of sanctity or divinity when one is mindful in the sati sampajanna way? Is it possible to get anywhere in the practice without being ordained? How long should I sit and what particular process should I go through? Will I arrive at a certain recognizable state?