Questions are précised - 00:15 Q1 How do we dislodge the idea of a self. Also you say there is an experience without an experiencer. Can you elaborate? 14:34 Q2 You spoke of Ajahn Mun’s teaching on the deathless dhamma. Could you speak to the idea of the subjectivity of the Buddha or even a “de-centered” subjectivity? 27:04 Q3 Could you say more about what stream entry is and its importance. 33:55 Q4 When sitting, how do we know we are anchored in our breath and when we can then shift and broaden our attention to other things? 35:15 Q5 I find walking meditation easier than sitting. Is this OK? 36:36 Q6 Has Buddha offered any view on the purpose of my life especially given its suffering? 42:00 Q7 How can we tell if our meditation tool is working and that we are progressing on the path? 52:22 Q8 Regarding concentration in meditation, is this the same thing that creative people use in their work?

Ajahn gives a dhamma talk and answers questions at the 17th International Tipitaka Chanting Ceremony. 00:00 Introduction 03:15 Dhamma talk 41:27 Q&A - Questions are précised. 41:27 Q1: On retreat I can sit for about 45 minutes before I have to move, but outslde retreat, I can sit still for only about 20-25 minutes. Can you advise me please? 57:12 Q2: Can you clarify please ' I read a translation that says one mark of awareness is 'holding'. But my experience is that it is discernment or acknowledgement that is a mark. 1:00:40 Q3: I have read the word 'feeling' being applied to the body and also 'feeling' applied to the mind. But my understanding is that feeling is in the mind only and what the body experiences in called a sensation, not a feeling. Can you clarify this? 1:02:23 Q4: Why is 'form' included in the 5 kandas / skandas? It seems I experience 'feeling', not form. 1:04:29 Q5: Can you please describe the 37 path factors? (Ajahn says he will address it in his talk on Dec 8th). 1:05:50 Q6: Regarding attachment, how can we relinquish attachments when we also want to live in a state of love and compassion with others? Is there not a conflict there? 1:10:25 Q7: We do meditation to empty our minds, but can we live in this world with an empty mind? 1:13:24 Q8: I am new at this and struggle to conduct a practice and not being imposed on by kalyanamitta who advise me not to meditate but only to serve. 1:14:47 Q9: (in view of your answer) Should we then practice alone and not have kalyanamitta? What is sangha then? 1:16:39 Q10: Is consciousness really conscious in itself or is it dependent?

Guided meditation on sīlanussati. Dhamma Talk: SN22.1 Nakula's Father. Discussion of Sāriputta's analysis of what is meant by the Buddha's statement on coping with old age: “Even though I am afflicted in body, my mind will be unafflicted.”

In meditation practice, particular places of hurt me arise repeatedly. These places may be is by mindful reflection on the theme of forgiveness and the wisdom of letting go.

Guided mettā meditation. Dhamma Talk: The ghost is not in the machine. The question of robots and the soul. The Buddha's views on the soul versus others at the time e.g. Brahmanism's atta and Jainism's jiva. Understanding things through relations and processes rather than substances or a soul. Self-awareness and purpose in robots, AI.

The four establishments of mindfulness and its sutta history - as well as the Bhikkhunupassaya Sutta - Directed and Undirected Meditation (SN: 47:10). Suttas available here: https://a-buddha-ujja.hu/sn-47.3/en/bodhi) and here https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/sn/sn47/sn47.010.olen.html

This guided meditation offers a pathway to quieting our mind and calming anxiety. We begin with long deep breathing, and with the breath, engage the image of a smile and relax through the body. Then we practice resting in relaxed awareness, allowing waves of thoughts, feelings and sensations to come and go.

Gratitude is like breathing in – letting ourselves be touched by the goodness in others and in our world. Generosity is like breathing out – sensing our mutual belonging and offering our care. When we are awake and whole, breathing in and out happens naturally. But these beautiful expressions of our heart become blocked when we are dominated by the fear and grasping of our survival brain. This talk explores how we can facilitate the evolution of consciousness with the deliberate cultivation of generosity, and ends with a guided meditation on gratitude and generosity.

After foundational mindfulness instructions, there is guidance, just after the core instructions and then briefly twice more during the session, on approaching the silent sitting in the spirit of our talk theme, taking every moment as practice, as an opportunity for learning.

This guided meditation offers a comprehensive training in non-attachment and letting go. The instructions list various objects and perceptions that one might be attached to, and recommend that we train ourselves to not cling to each item. Shaila Catherine shares the advice that Venerable Sariputta offered to the lay disciple Anathapindika on his deathbed. It is essentially a reading of the discourse of Advice to Anathapindika (Middle Length Discourses 143) with some comments.

In meditation we open an energy domain with discernable material and immaterial aspects. We meet, widen and soften to this experience, providing a pragmatic healing and protection against life's vicissitudes.