Part of key topic Meditation Practices
1.2. Quote: “Sometimes there may be doubt, so you must have sati, to be the one who knows, continually following and examining the agitated mind.” — Ajahn Chah. Read by Ajahn Jitindriyā. [Doubt] [Mindfulness ] [Knowing itself] [Continuity of mindfulness] [Meditation] [Restlessness and worry] // [Heedfulness] [Concentration] [Feeling] [Mindfulness of breathing]
Simile: Chicken in a coop. [Similes]
2. Quote: “With each in-breath and each out-breath, really trying to recollect that we have the opportunity to experience the Dhamma, to experience truth, to realize the fruits of the Buddha’s teaching and guidance leading to liberation.” — Ajahn Pasanno. [Recollection/Dhamma ] [Liberation] [Mindfulness of breathing] // [Thai] [Gratitude]
18. “Thank you for your patience and assistance to fearlessly enter the dark an untamed forest of our minds. What or how would you suggest in terms of habits and practices that we may skillfully observe or interact with the sleepy mind?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Sloth and torpor] // [Mindfulness of breathing] [Continuity of mindfulness] [Posture/Lying down]
Quote: “Did you fall asleep on the in-breath or the out-breath?” — Ajahn Chah. [Ajahn Chah] [Mindfulness of breathing]
Story: Ajahn Pasanno places glasses of water around his body to cultivate mindfulness while sleeping. [Ajahn Pasanno] [Determination] [Rains retreat] [Mindfulness]
5. “You said you have to adjust and think about contemplating. But how can you do that in your working time?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Right Effort] [Directed thought and evaluation] [Discernment] [Everyday life] // [Mindfulness] [Clear comprehension] [Happiness] [Recollection]
Quote: “In daily life, in contact with the world, do you still breathe?” — Ajahn Chah. [Ajahn Chah] [Mindfulness of breathing]
Follow-up: “In Bangkok, there is lots of news that makes people crazy and divisive. When you see this news, you feel upset and angry.” [News ] [Conflict] [Aversion] [Right Speech] [Politics and society] [Proliferation]
Quote: “I don’t care. Not in the sense that I don’t think it’s serious or that it’s not a problem. But I don’t care in the sense that I don’t want to be getting involved in whatever side people are working themselves up about, because the problem is much deeper than that. We have to pay attention to the deeper problem, both in the human condition and politically.” [Human]
2. Discussion of contentment as necessary for concentration and interest in the breath. [Concentration] [Mindfulness of breathing] [Contentment] // [Desire] [Nature of mind] [Happiness]
Quote: “The beautiful breath” — Ajahn Brahmavaṃso. [Ajahn Brahmavaṃso] [Mindfulness of breathing] [Beauty]
4. “Can you talk more about the [Thanksgiving Retreat] theme this year on enjoyment? How did you come to the theme? What is the motivation behind it? Is there a Pāli word that describes the theme?” Answered by Ajahn Karuṇadhammo and Ajahn Ñāṇiko. [Happiness] [Pāli] // [Suffering] [Culture/West] [Culture/India] [Precepts] [Gladdening the mind] [Recollection/Virtue] [Calming meditation]
Quote: “Every part of the Eightfold Path is enjoyable.” — Ajahn Karuṇadhammo. [Eightfold Path] [Mindfulness of breathing] [Recollection] [Concentration]
Reflection: I used to care a lot about having fun, but I wasn’t happy. Now I don’t care about having fun, and I’m a lot happier. [Entertainment and adornment ] [Temple Monastery] [Recreation/leisure/sport]
4. “After observing the breathing, this becomes more subtle. Then I observe the body; after that, the body becomes very tranquil. But after that, I don’t know what to do next. The sutta says, ‘I will breathe experiencing rapture,’ but I sincerely don’t know what rapture in the practice is. … Can you clear any misunderstanding of the Dhamma?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Mindfulness of breathing] [Mindfulness of body] [Tranquility] [Rapture] [Clinging] // [Right Mindfulness] [Pāli] [Commentaries]
Quote: “The Buddha’s instructions on mindfulness of breathing in the sutta (MN 118) are not necessarily a linear teaching.” [Mindfulness of breathing]
Simile: Rapture (pīti) is learning there is an oasis nearby in the desert. Happiness (sukha) is quenching one’s thirst and bathing at the oasis (Path of Purification by Bhikkhu Ñāṇamoli, p. 139). [Happiness] [Similes]