This talk discusses how the Buddha defines the self as a process. We can create selves that are based on increasingly refined levels of happiness, until we don't need to create a self at all.

Dhamma discussion based on the question...

'..sort of following the connection from last week, the comments you made about observing cause and effect and especially observing causes of happiness today. I was wondering if you could clarify the difference between the latter two types of happiness that you mentioned. So, happiness from stillness and that from absence. Could you speak a little bit more about that?'

An ovāda and Dhamma discussion based on developing an increasing sensitivity to different types of happiness as a means to progress on one's path.

This ovāda discusses the importance of keeping in mind the purpose for which we meditate and evaluating our success or failure against that purpose

A simple guided breath meditation suitable for beginners

A Dhamma discussion based on the question...

"Bhante, I have some questions regarding discernment. First, is the only type of discernment which leads to the destruction of defilements and cutting fetters, insight into the three characteristics? Secondly, are we supposed to A) actively produce discernment in meditation, or B) are we cultivating our minds in a way that will cause discernment to arise naturally? Whichever it is, can you please explain how this is done?"

This ovāda discusses the Buddha's statement that the in and out breath is a body among bodies.

A Dhamma discussion based on the question...

@ Bhante Joe I have a question around balancing contentment and striving. When I was meditating last night I saw how much dissatisfaction I was experiencing over not having the type of meditation experiences I had the last time and wanted again this time. The perceptions and feelings were not as strong and pleasant.

I tried forcing it for a bit, and then saw how I was suffering because I was forcing, not for what I couldn't experience. So, then I had a thought to just let the experience of the breath be enough the way it is in this moment. I stopped forcing my mind to try and relate to it in any particular way, and stopped obsessing about the meditation being as pleasant or deep as the last one.

Basically, I was practicing contentment with what was. But then I got to wondering if maybe I was just quitting when I should have pushed through and created the perceptions and feelings I was hoping for.

How do we know when it's the right time to strive and the right time to just be content and be with what is?

(line breaks added)

This Sutta and Vinaya study discusses controversies regarding working out and keeping the precept not to eat after solar noon.

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Note: the distinction between milk fat and milk protein appears to be the reason why milk is not allowed after noon, but butter is. Also note that whey protein powder is derived from milk.

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Relevant Sutta and Vinaya Passages:

Majjhima Nikāya (MN)

MN 2 – Sabbāsava Sutta (All the Effluents) — Thanissaro Bhikkhu

https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/MN/MN2.html

Pātimokkha Rules (Vinaya)

Pācittiya 37 (Pc 37) — Food at the wrong time (BMC discussion & full rule context)

https://www.dhammatalks.org/vinaya/bmc/Section0019.html#37

Nissaggiya Pācittiya 23 (NP 23) — The five tonics (7-day limit)

Index: https://www.dhammatalks.org/vinaya/bmc/Section0030.html

Medicine chapter note: https://www.dhammatalks.org/vinaya/bmc/Section0044.html

Mahāvagga (Vinaya)

Mv VI (Bhesajjakkhandhaka) — Allowance of the five products of a cow

https://www.dhammatalks.org/vinaya/Mv/MvVI.html (see “The allowance of the Five Products of the Cow”)

Cullavagga / Khandhaka (Vinaya)

Senāsanakkhandhaka — Assigning lodgings (Dabba Mallaputta)

https://suttacentral.net/pli-tv-kd16

Saṅghādisesa (Vinaya)

Saṅghādisesa 8 — Background with lodging-assignment formula

https://suttacentral.net/pli-tv-bu-vb-ss8/en/brahmali

A Dhamma discussion based on the question...

"Dear Bhante, between asubha and 4 elements contemplation for the body, which is a better one to get insight into annata and cut the fetter of Sakkāya-diṭṭhi?

I was watching a video of Ajahn (X) and it was mentioned there that asubha is primarily to reduce lust and 4 elements is for insight into annata. Would that be the case? Because in my understanding asubha breaks up the body into impersonal things as well, wouldn’t this give insights into annata as well?

Im asking this because 4 elements is a more abstract meditation topic for me as of now, asubha for the body seems easier to do. What would you suggest Bhante?"

This ovāda discusses the importance of balance and experimentation in Buddhist practice.

A Dhamma discussion based on the question...

"Theruwan Saranai Bhante, have you encountered any lay people who have reached supramundane stages of practice, such as attaining the Jhanas or even attaining Sotapanna and/or beyond? What do you think allowed them to reach such stages of practice while still living as laypeople especially in the modern-day with all its distractions etc? (e.g. lifestyle changes, qualities, certain practices, mindset etc) Thank-you in advance Bhante 🙏"

This sutta study examines a popular claim that the only way to overcome suffering is to be with the experience without reacting to it. Attempting to change the experience — for example, by focusing on a meditation topic or manipulating thoughts — is seen as negative. The basic assumption is that desire and aversion cannot be used to overcome suffering.

In this study, we will look at the suttas to see whether these claims are supported. In particular, we will examine the Buddha’s teachings on constructing the path by deliberately shaping experience.

A Dhamma discussion based on the following question..

(after speaking about the possibility of bringing relationships with others into balance by withdrawing)

"How could I do this if it is with a family member that I can't avoid?"

This ovāda discusses setting goals and dealing with expectations of results in one's practice.

A Dhamma discussion based on the question...

Do you ever feel fear from what the Buddha teaches? How long this has been going on, how many lives this ball has been picking up speed. How many times has it been slowed but never fully stopped, leading onto suffering for a long long time.

I suppose that is the pessimistic view, one could also hold to that the ball has been slowing for a long time, and this life during a time of a Buddha's dispensation is one of the few opportunities to progress quickly towards the goal of the holy life. But then that is a lot of pressure, to wonder about what might happen if this opportunity is not taken advantage of. To throw it away for some cheap pleasure.

When I read the pali canon it seems to increase existential anxiety not decrease. Perhaps this is a common

symptom for westerners.

When I read the pali canon it seems to increase existential anxiety not decrease. Perhaps this is a common symptom for westerners who read much and practice little. There is a lot of fear when I read about how the Buddha advises his monks to practice like their head is on fire or to view sensory pleasure as hot coals. Then to reflect on how I am not living or practising like that, it is cognitive dissonance.

Curious what you think, or if you have seen similar sentiments repeated in others.

The ovāda discusses how the world burns with passion at the eyes, ear, nose, tongue, body, and mind, and the importance of seeing the cooling of this passion as peace.

A Dhamma discussion based on the question...

"While practicing I believe I can sometimes glimpse the impermanent nature of all determinations. For example, I can establish my mind on the impermanence of the breath and recognize that the breath depends on the body as its necessary basis which is in itself also determined by consciousness and thus also impermanent and not worth holding onto. This principle can be extended to everything in experience like the aggregates and sense domains.

What would be the reason that this is still something I need to cultivate in order to recognize? When I stop the contemplation it seems like the mind hasn't fully understood this principle of impermanence thoroughly enough so that it cannot be seen in any other way any longer.

Would you say this is just a matter of continued effort and repetition, so that at some point the mind will understand this principle 'all determinations are impermanent', or would you say that establishing the mind on this thoroughly for only one sit could be enough if this understanding sinks in deep enough?"

This ovāda discusses how to associate with solitary places. It was given at the ancient monastery of Situl Pawa inside Yala National Park.

A Dhamma discussion based on the question...

"Is the mindfulness that recognizes the absence of pressure when it is absent, and the presence of pressure when it is present, without being deceived by it, that supreme peace?

Or something moving in that direction?"

Suttas Referenced:

-MN 137 (Equanimity based on multiplicity)

-MN 22 (Let go of what's not yours)

-SN 51:15 (Four bases of psychic power, desire allayed through desire)

Video Referenced:

Away From the Source (On the decline and fall of Buddhism in India)

https://youtube.com/live/LJQwOT7tTVo?feature=share