11 excerpts, 50:26 total duration
4. “Can you speak to the relation between anattā and metta? While doing contemplation of the sense bases, the heart seems to strongly respond to offering metta in the space where there is no I or other.” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Not-self] [Goodwill] [Sense bases] [Non-identification]
Quote: “Once we get out of the way, something rather beautiful happens.” [Beauty]
11. “After using a yellow kasiṇa as kammaṭṭhāna for two years, I’ve been able to ‘tame’ the nimitta somewhat, but I’m unclear how to use it to enter jhāna. Instead, when working with the nimitta has got me in the upacāra samādhi neighborhood, I just switch to the breath and go from there, but I’d really like to know how kasiṇa is used to enter appanā samādhi directly. Also, is it true that kasiṇa propels the yogi directly into third jhāna, bypassing first and second?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Kasiṇa] [Nimitta] [Jhāna] [Mindfulness of breathing] [Concentration] // [Beauty] [Happiness] [Directed thought and evaluation]
9. “It’s understandable that we crave happiness through the senses. Attaching to a certain type of happiness through the senses is not helpful for cultivation. But there’s also the emphasis on joy in the Buddha’s teachings. So there should be a balance, and where to find that?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Sense bases] [Sensual desire] [Happiness] [Gladdening the mind] // [Four Noble Truths]
Quote: “All the elements of the path are a source of happiness and well-being.” [Eightfold Path]
Follow-up: “What about the joy that comes from enjoying sensual things like music, painting, scents, and water?” [Artistic expression] [Beauty] [Clinging] [Spaciousness]