Alternative translations: Danger
6. “What are some skillful ways to deal with anger and resentment?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Aversion] [Ill-will ] // [Suffering] [Drawbacks] [Goodwill] [Views]
Quote: “There’s no way that you can have anger and resentment and feel peaceful and happy.” [Happiness]
Sutta: Dhp 125: Throwing dust into the air. [Similes]
9. “How do we work with self-destructive and harmful repetitive patterns in our life? We can’t really force change.” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Habits ] [Unskillful qualities] // [Craving not to become] [Drawbacks] [Suffering] [Self-identity view]
Sutta: AN 6.63.42: Two results of suffering.
6. “I want to let go of things that I dislike as fast as possible. How do I do that?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Aversion] [Relinquishment] // [Suffering] [Craving not to become] [Drawbacks]
3. “I am working with a repetitive thought that is bringing up doubt, worry, and anxiety. It seems strong, sneaky, nagging, and insistent. I must be feeding it somehow, or why would it keep coming up again and again? How to work with a repetitive thought?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Proliferation] [Doubt] [Restlessness and worry] [Nutriment] // [Directed thought and evaluation] [Drawbacks] [Human] [Relinquishment]
Sutta: MN 20: The Removal of Distracting Thoughts. [Similes]
12. “Kindly share another story of Ajahn Chah. They delight and inspire.” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Ajahn Chah] [Stories]
Story from Ajahn Chah: Two mating lizards fall out of a tree. [Ajahn Pasanno] [Almsround] [Sensual desire] [Drawbacks]
Quote: “Is it suffering?” — Ajahn Chah. [Admonishment/feedback] [Drawbacks]
15. “I notice how my mind not only loves story, but it also loves to be the main character. When I sit down at the mealtime or cross paths in the hall, I watch the mind become restless, thoughts of how I am affecting others or what other are thinking of me. Is this conceit? Shall I continue to watch this feeling like all others? Any advice?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Proliferation] [Restlessness and worry] [Conceit] // [Drawbacks] [Relinquishment]
6. “Could you review again what the antidotes to the Five Hindrances are? Also, if one has not correctly identified the hindrance at the moment and uses the incorrect remedy, so what?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Hindrances] [Investigation of states] // [Desire] [Unattractiveness] [Dispassion] [Ill-will] [Goodwill] [Sloth and torpor] [Restlessness and worry] [Mindfulness of breathing] [Doubt] [Recollection/Dhamma] [Self-reliance]
Sutta: SN 46.51: Starving the hindrances.
Simile: Throwing dust into the wind (Dhp 125). [Drawbacks] [Similes]
Sutta: AN 7.61: Antidotes for sloth and torpor.
19. “One day at tea time, a guest at the monastery was sharing her feelings about a coworker who was always upbeat and positive. It irritated this guest because she felt her coworker was not being genuine. I was laughing to myself because at my job I am that big ball of sunshine most of the time, and it can annoy my coworkers. They love talking about the faults of others, and it irritates them when I counter their comments with something positive about ‘their victim.’ But lately, their habits have been rubbing off, and I find myself fault-finding more and more. Any advice about not getting sucked into negativity would be much appreciated.” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Happiness] [Aversion] [Malicious speech] [Blame and praise] // [Drawbacks] [Mindfulness of body]
20. “I’m one of those people who tend to focus on/identify with my faults. Could you please talk about ways to stop ourselves from identifying with our characteristics, both good and bad?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Guilt/shame/inadequacy] [Self-identity view] // [Drawbacks] [Recollection] [Perception]
13. “What are the four stages of enlightenment? What defilements have the four noble beings shed?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Stages of awakening ] [Unwholesome Roots] // [Drawbacks] [Liberation]
Quote: “When we think of enlightenment, it’s a being who is willing and able to relinquish those things that are complicating and constricting.” [Relinquishment]
4. “Thank you for your talk on mindfulness today—very helpful. I’ve been practicing for a long time (and have even had a few insights that made big impressions on me) and while my sila has definitely improved, my mindfulness is a priority and I might have a tad more wisdom, my mind looks for ways to suffer. Sometimes I feel like a total failure as a Buddhist. I understand that letting go of identity view is the answer, but how? What am I missing?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Long-term practice] [Suffering] [Perfectionism] [Self-identity view] // [Aggregates] [Relinquishment] [Drawbacks] [Gladdening the mind]
Sutta: SN 22.22: The Burden (Chanting Book translation)
4. “Please speak about sense consciousness and how the release of attachment is achieved.” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Sense bases] [Consciousness] [Clinging] [Relinquishment] // [Delusion] [Insight meditation] [Knowledge and vision] [Feeling] [Contact] [Drawbacks] [Compassion]
Quote: “Dhamma practice is not difficult. There are only two things you need to do: know and let go.” — Ajahn Chah. [Ajahn Chah] [Dhamma]
5. “What is often the most neglected quality in individual monks? What are the most important qualities to develop for the benefit of the group?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Monastic life] [Saṅgha] // [Idealism ] [Drawbacks] [Aspects of Understanding] [Four Noble Truths] [Patience]
Sutta: SN 22.26: Assādasutta
Quote: “Other than me, everyone is irritating!” [Aversion] [Humor]