Ajahn Brahmali | Making Progress | The Armadale Meditation Group

October 20, 2020

A rare visit to the Armadale Meditation Group by Ajahn Brahmali, though this time, on-line live.

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Ajahn Appichato | Kindness | The Armadale Meditation Group

October 13, 2020

Ajahn Appi joined us this evening for his first on-line live meditation session and based his talk on simply being kind.

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Ajahn Appichato | Meditation, A Simple Practice | The Armadale Meditation Group

Ajahn Appi begins by describing meditation as a process of enquiry many of us use to turn inward. In doing this we can increase our resistance to the habit of anger, anxiety and despair. Given the troubled times the world now finds it's self in, such practice is needed in us all. Ajahn continues to describe the practice of meditation before leading the group in a guided meditation.

After meditation Ajahn opened to questions from the audience.

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Ajahn Jhanarato | Meditate In A Marketplace | Monday Night Meditation

March 2020

Ajahn Jhanarato talks to us tonight about our ability to meditate when the environment around us is noisy or less than ideal. Ajahn refers back to occasions in his own experience where noise was very much present. Ajahn equates this to our minds after a busy normal day. Our minds tend to be like a market place or even a snow globe. All we need do is sit and allow our minds to settle. Using this settling time to also adjust and relax our bodies, gives rise to our mind clearing, settling, leading to a much better more relaxed meditation.

Ajahn then lead the group in a thirty minute meditation encouraging us all to leave the busy day behind and just allow our mind to settle, becoming peacefully relaxed.

After meditation Ajahn opened to questions before continuing his talk.

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To find and download more Armadale Meditation Group Teachings, visit the BSWA teachings page, choose the AMG teaching you want, then type the title into the Podcast search box.

Teachings are available for downloading from the BSWA website, the BSWA Youtube Channel, the BSWA Podcast, and Deeper Dhamma Podcast.

Ajahn Santutthi | Escape The World | Armadale Meditation Group

Ajahn Santutthi began the evening by asking us to use our free time during the day to meditate. Rather than social media or other activities. Ajahn suggests that rather than using our free time to do social media, we meditate and focus inward. If we focus our energy inward rather than outward we soon learn to cultivate the peace and quiet that is there for all of us. Leaving the world behind and turning inward, even for a short time, will allow us to become outwardly peaceful and quiet.

Ajahn then guided us in meditation asking us to get away from life by turning inward and watching our inner world rather than focusing on external things. When thoughts arise that seem to want to distract us from peace and stillness, just let them go. Watch them rather than engaging with them. Ajahn also asks us to look for the reward in our practice, the peace, the stillness. Over time this will increase. So rather than spending money to escape the world, we can turn inwards to find peace and stillness.

After meditation Ajahn touches briefly on the hindrances that plague most of us when we first begin to meditate. Ajahn then opened to questions before continuing to talk on meditation in general.

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Ajahn Cittapalo | Inner Happiness | Armadale Meditation Group

Ajahn Cittapalo speaks to us tonight of finding inner happiness. Not so much the happiness we would normally think of such as laughter or pleasure at getting a new lounge. The inner happiness that can be enjoyed by our mind being at peace. Not searching nor assessing the past. Not planing nor analysing the future, just happy to be in the present moment. Achieving this inner happiness for most of us seems impossible, but it can be achieved with practise, patience, persistence and Buddhist Meditation. Ajahn used the life experience of his grand father's life after the second world war to demonstrate that such peace of mind, inner happiness can be achieved by anyone under the most arduous of circumstances.

Ajahn then lead the group in a thirty minute meditation well suited to beginners and experienced alike. Ajahn starts by encouraging us to focus on our physical comfort first then just allow our mind to rest. When thoughts arise, step aside and let them go.

After the meditation Ajahn reminds us to not make our meditation another burden or task. We have enough on our plates already.

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To find and download more Armadale Meditation Group Teachings, visit the BSWA teachings page, choose the AMG teaching
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Teachings are available for downloading from the BSWA website, the BSWA Youtube Channel, the BSWA Podcast, and Deeper Dhamma Podcast.

Bhante Bodhidhaja | Meditation, a Different Perspective | The Armadale Meditation Group

Bhante Bodhidhaja surprised us tonight by bringing a laptop computer, a projector, speakers and a well made presentation on meditation. Before becoming a Buddhist Monk, Bhante was a school teacher and continues to teach, but not ABC nor 123. Instead he employees his skills and training to teach Buddhist Meditation.

Bhante began his presentation by explaining that though the monks when teaching may seem to repeat previous instructions, if we look a little closer we find subtle variations. This is done because what suits one, may not suit another. With this firmly in-mind, Bhante began his presentation and it came as no surprise to all that no-one had previously been taught meditation this way. Bhante through his presentation explained what happens within our mind when we are triggered into a fight or flight mode. Bhante used humour often to make the point.

Bhante then guided the group in a thirty minute meditation first focusing on completely relaxing the body, then the mind. This meditation is well suited to beginners and experienced alike.

After meditation Bhante continued his presentation with a slight shift in topic to Metta. A subject appropriate given in the western world, Valentines day was so recent. Bhante also referenced and recommended we listen to a podcast on ABC Radio National that is right on topic called “All In The Mind”.  In addition Bhante recommends we view and read the following.  The first one is to a poem written by Bhante some years ago tittled "Love Means Letting Go".  The second are quotes from Ayya Khema on the topic of love.  Bhante then opened to Q&A.

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To find and download more Armadale Meditation Group Teachings, visit the BSWA teachings page, choose the AMG teaching you want, then type the title into the Podcast search box.

Teachings are available for downloading from the BSWA website, the BSWA Youtube Channel, the BSWA Podcast, and Deeper Dhamma Podcast.

Venerable Cunda | Meditation, Calm Thoughts | The Armadale Meditation Group

This is Venerable Cunda's second visit this year to the Armadale Meditation Group. Venerable spoke tonight of our modern world, our busy lives and our constant contact with technology. The result of such activity is a monkey mind. We need to relax more, meditation is a very good way to do just that and let our busy lives go, if only for a brief period.

Venerable lead the group in a 30 minute meditation. Venerable likes to commence his meditation with a body sweep commencing with the face and working to the feet. Venerable reminds us to use our bodies as an anchor for our focus. This meditation is well suited to both experienced and new meditators alike.

After meditation, Venerable encouraged us to sit quietly for a few moments and carry the relaxed mind and boby as long as we could. Venerable then opened briefly to questions.

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To find and download more Armadale Meditation Group Teachings, visit the BSWA teachings page, choose the AMG teaching you want, then type the title into the Podcast search box.

Teachings are available for downloading from the BSWA website, the BSWA Youtube Channel, the BSWA Podcast, and Deeper Dhamma Podcast.

Ajahn Jhanarato | Metta, Loving Kindness | The Armadale Meditation Group

Ajahn Jhanarato based tonight's meditation on Metta and Loving Kindness. In his opening talk Ajahn also asks us to remember to be kind and loving to ourselves, give ourselves Metta. It is often difficult to be kind and loving to ourselves. Especially in western societies. Whilst we find it easy to think well of others, we all to often are less than kind to ourselves. We hold onto the past and we worry about the future. This is not being very kind nor loving to ourselves. We need to let it go.

Ajahn then lead the group in a thirty minute meditation focused on Metta.

After meditation Ajahn opened to Q&A.  In answering a question he has been recently asked, “what is the most valuable lesson he has learned since becoming a monk”. Ajahn's answer was contentment.

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Ajahn Brahmavamso | Nature Therapy | The Armadale Meditation Group

Ajahn Brahm arrived at Club Med early to the surprise and delight of us all.

Ajahn then explained to us that using nature, specifically a place of peace and beauty, helps us to shift our focus, relax both body and mind. The problems we face day to day don't seem quite as extreme when we face them relaxed.

Ajahn then related his recollection of the fires that destroyed Bodhinyana Monastery in the 1990's. Being Buddhist as he is, Ajahn realises that nothing is really permanent. So being upset and distraught about the monastery being destroyed would only affect him in a personal way. It wouldn't bring the monastery back nor rebuild it. Ajahn asks us to consider and realise that meditation can help us be content and easily satisfied.

Ajahn then guided the group through a body scan, within our own minds silently asking each area of our body, how it feels. When our bodies are “relaxed to the max”, it is much easier to relax the mind. Ajahn then moved us toward noticing our breathing, not controlling, just noticing. This meditation is well suited to beginners and experienced meditators alike.

After the guided meditation, Ajahn as always, uses his life experience and humour interspersed with jokes to convey his message.

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To find and download more Armadale Meditation Group Teachings, visit the BSWA teachings page , choose the AMG teaching you want, then type the title into the Podcast search box.

Teachings are available for downloading from the BSWA website, the BSWA Youtube Channel, the BSWA Podcast, and Deeper Dhamma Podcast.

Venerable Sampasadana | Meditation Is Like Gardening | The Armadale Meditation Group

Venerable Sampa first visited the Armadale Meditation Group a year or so ago. On that occasion he used the analogy of meditation and cooking. This time he asks us to use a visual approach and a garden. Our troubles are like weeds and good feelings and thoughts, like flowers. Venerable encouraged us to use our imaginations and make the garden a beautiful place, a comfortable place, a quiet and relaxing place.

Venerable then lead the group in a slightly longer than thirty minute meditation. Venerable begins by spending ten minutes getting comfortable in body and mind. This meditation is well suited to both experienced and new meditators alike.

After meditation Venerable opened to questions before continuing his talk.

Please support the BSWA in making teachings available for free online via Patreon.

To find and download more Armadale Meditation Group Teachings, visit the BSWA teachings page, choose the AMG teaching you want, then type the title into the Podcast search box.

Teachings are available for downloading from the BSWA website, the BSWA Youtube Channel, the BSWA Podcast, and Deeper Dhamma Podcast.

Venerable Pannavuddho | Working To Be A Better Person | The Armadale Meditation Group

Venerable Pannavuddho's first visit to the Armadale Meditation Group is one we hope he will repeat in the very near future. Venerable started the evening by asking us to give thanks to ourselves for just being there, for at least trying to be a better person. Venerable continued his talk by recalling examples of being a better person from his own experience prior to becoming a monk. During his working experience in Japan, Venerable was exposed to Zen Buddhism, so uses this experience to explain how we beginners and experienced alike should approach our meditation. Venerable refers to the process of watching the mind as “taking a backwards step”. Just step backwards in our minds and watch, rather than becoming engaged in our thoughts as they arise.

Prior to the meditation Venerable asked and instructed us to simply make ourselves comfortable, sit how-ever we feel comfortable. The focus initially is on the feelings and sensations that are always present within our bodies. This meditation is well suited to both experienced and new meditators alike.

After meditation Venerable continued his talk on trying to be a better person before opening to Q&A.

Please support the BSWA in making teachings available for free online via Patreon.

To find and download more Armadale Meditation Group Teachings, visit the BSWA teachings page, choose the AMG teaching you want, then type the title into the Podcast search box.

Teachings are available for downloading from the BSWA website, the BSWA Youtube Channel, the BSWA Podcast, and Deeper Dhamma Podcast.

Venerable Cunda | A Calm Peaceful Mind | The Armadale Meditation Group

Our first Monk of the year 2020 was Venerable Cunda. Venerable has been living in Victoria for just over a year now helping to establish the Buddhist Society of Victoria Monastery at Newbury. As we all do, we work hard and then search for ways to unwind, clear our minds and just relax. Venerable encourages us to firstly relax our bodies as much as we are able, this will allow us to relax our mind.

Venerable lead the group in a longer than usual meditation commencing with a body sweep and moving gently to our breathing. Throughout the meditation Venerable asks us to use our bodies as an anchor, so that when random thoughts arise, we can return to the moment.  This meditation is well suited to both experienced and new meditators alike.

After meditation, Venerable described his early meditation experience and difficulties to help us understand that we don't need to make it hard work. Venerable then opened to questions before continuing his talk about Newbury.

Please support the BSWA in making teachings available for free online via Patreon.

To find and download more Armadale Meditation Group Teachings, visit the BSWA teachings page, choose the AMG teaching you want, then type the title into the Podcast search box.

Teachings are available for downloading from the BSWA website, the BSWA Youtube Channel, the BSWA Podcast, and Deeper Dhamma Podcast.

Kevin Hume | Science and The Buddha | The Armadale Meditation Group

Kevin focuses on teaching meditation and mindfulness as simple, practical skills. He teaches us how and why meditation works, draws on the most up-to-date scientific research, and introduces us to techniques that we can use on the go - whenever and wherever we are. He is also keen to help us find innovative ways to adapt meditation to our own needs. His teaching methods reflect his life experiences as a high-level communicator and participant-observer in the media, politics and corporate life. He has a particular interest in the science of meditation, as well as in the cultures and traditions from which such techniques are drawn. Kevin was introduced to meditation in 1992 by renowned meditation teacher Eric Harrison of the Perth Meditation Centre.

Kevin lead the group in meditation by first asking us to relax and listen to sounds around us. By doing this we shift from thinking to observing. The meditation is a full detailed body scan encouraging us to simply observe, not think nor engage with random thoughts. The meditation is well suited to all levels of meditators.

After meditation Kevin opened to questions.

Please support the BSWA in making teachings available for free online via Patreon.

To find and download more Armadale Meditation Group Teachings, visit the BSWA teachings page, choose the AMG teaching you want, then type the title into the Podcast search box.

Teachings are available for downloading from the BSWA website, the BSWA Youtube Channel, the BSWA Podcast, and Deeper Dhamma Podcast.

Ajahn Cittapalo | Something To Aspire To | Armadale Meditation Group

Ajahn Cittapalo asks us to consider the Metta Sutta and it's wording. Ajahn reminds us that the Metta Sutta is something to aspire to. How-ever, when we meditate we should focus our attention on just one person, ourselves. Make number one happy, then more often than not, those around us will be happy too. Ajahn reminds us that we should put our own mind first in meditation. If we are calm and happy, it will be easier, more pleasant to wish others well.

Ajahn then guided the group in meditation well suited to beginners and experienced alike and a pleasure to do. Ajahn asks us to be kind to ourselves first before considering others. To simply allow thoughts to come, to go and not apply any pressure to our mind. Just let it progress.

After the meditation, Ajahn continued his talk on the Metta Sutta asking us to bare in mind that it is a translation, not a set of instructions.

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To find and download more Armadale Meditation Group Teachings, visit the BSWA teachings page, choose the AMG teaching you want, then type the title into the Podcast search box.

Teachings are available for downloading from the BSWA website, the BSWA Youtube Channel, the BSWA Podcast, and Deeper Dhamma Podcast.

Venerable Bodhidhaja | Letting Go In Meditation | The Armadale Meditation Group

Venerable Bodhidhaja doesn't get to Club Med often, certainly not as often as we'd like. How-ever, when he does it's always to an audience that greatly appreciates the session.

Venerable commenced with an explanation with comparisons, of the Four Noble Truths. Rather than quote the sutta, Venerable termed them in a manor more easily understood by us all and relating to our meditation practice. The focus of his talk is in letting go during meditation, something we all struggle with to one degree or another.

After the introduction Venerable lead the group in meditation for slightly longer than usual and in a method not seen by the majority of us. Venerable asked us to imagine that we were slowly filling with warm, comforting water. Commencing with our feet and working slowly to the top of our heads. An interesting meditation that was thoroughly enjoyed by all and suitable for beginners and experienced alike.

After meditation Venerable talked on gratitude, a subject well needed at this time of year and very much a part of a monks life. Venerable suggested the following to assist us;

Reflecting on the good during every long trip [commuting to work].
Gratitude countdown from 10 to 0 or ABC.
A gratitude jar or journal
Acknowledgement [in conversation, sms or e-mail]
Reflecting with gratitude before bed, upon waking and when commuting.

As is usual with Venerable he included references that are on-line and open to all of us;

In A Nutshell [Kurzgesagt] – An antidote to dissatisfaction.

A Grateful Day – Brother David Steindl-Rast.

The Virtue Project

Share Tree App & Character Cards

Venerable then opened to Q&A.

Please support the BSWA in making teachings available for free online via Patreon.

To find and download more Armadale Meditation Group Teachings, visit the BSWA teachings page, choose the AMG teaching you want, then type the title into the Podcast search box.

Teachings are available for downloading from the BSWA website, the BSWA Youtube Channel, the BSWA Podcast, and Deeper Dhamma Podcast.

Ajahn Jhanarato | Just Relax | The Armadale Meditation Group

Ajahn Jhanarato asks us to “just relax”. Whilst breath meditation is the main focus of most meditations Ajahn starts with a relaxing body scan then allows us to move naturally to the breath.

After meditation Ajahn opened to Q&A with explanations on some of the more difficult hindrances for beginners.

Please support the BSWA in making teachings available for free online via Patreon.

To find and download more Armadale Meditation Group Teachings, visit the BSWA teachings page, choose the AMG teaching
you want, then type the title into the Podcast search box.

Teachings are available for downloading from the BSWA website, the BSWA Youtube Channel, the BSWA Podcast, and Deeper Dhamma Podcast.

Ajahn Brahmavamso | Pleasant Moment Awareness | The Armadale Meditation Group

Ajahn Brahm arrived at Club Med and entered in his usual manner, via the wrong door. Ajahn then partially sat down and then promptly stood again, to the surprise and laughter of the entire room. Ajahn does this in good humour to set us on the path to fun and laughter for the evening regardless of the subject.

Ajahn then for the benefit of those who are starting out in meditation, spoke on the many methods of and hindrances to meditation. Ajahn then guided the group through a 30 minute meditation beginning with a body scan and ending with silence. This meditation is well suited to beginners and experienced meditators alike.

After the guided meditation, Ajahn opened to Q&A. As always, Ajahn uses his life experience and humour interspersed with jokes to convey his message and answers.

Please support the BSWA in making teachings available for free online via Patreon.

To find and download more Armadale Meditation Group Teachings, visit the
BSWA teachings page: /, choose the AMG teaching
you want, then type the title into the Podcast search box.

Teachings are available for downloading from the BSWA website, the BSWA Youtube Channel, the BSWA Podcast, and Deeper Dhamma Podcast.

Bhante Aranavihara | Why Am I Meditating? | The Armadale Meditation Group

Bhante Aranavihara encouraged us to ask ourselves why we meditate? Bhante then gave a brief talk on some of the reasons we meditate and how best to deal with them once meditation commences. Bhante asked us to remind ourselves every five minutes or so to come back to our meditation object, not forcefully, but gently.

Bhante begins the meditation by using a body scan and asking us to let our bodies settle down. After the body scan Bhante suggests we shift our attention to either the breath or our metta object.

After the meditation Bhante opened to Q&A. 

Please support the BSWA in making teachings available for free online via Patreon.

To find and download more Armadale Meditation Group Teachings, visit the BSWA teachings page, choose the AMG teaching you want, then type the title into the Podcast search box.

Teachings are available for downloading from the BSWA website, the BSWA Youtube Channel, the BSWA Podcast, and Deeper Dhamma Podcast.

Venerable Kassapa | Positive Actions In Our Day | The Armadale Meditation Group

This was Venerable Kassapa’s first visit as a teacher to The Armadale Meditation Group and we hope to see more of him in the future. Venerable commenced his instruction by explaining why he meditates. Venerable used his own life experiences to highlight the benefits of meditating whilst asking us to have Positive Actions In Our Day. Whilst Venerable is referring to the Noble Eightfold Path, he used his own experience in lay life to demonstrate how right action and right speech actually work.

Venerable lead the group in a longer than usual meditation beginning with a body sweep. Towards the middle Venerable moved us gently towards a breath meditation. An easy meditation well suited to beginners and experienced meditators alike.

After the meditation Venerable continued his talk on positive actions and the benefits before opening to questions from the group.

Please support the BSWA in making teachings available for free online via Patreon.

To find and download more Armadale Meditation Group Teachings, visit the BSWA teachings page, choose the AMG teaching you want, then type the title into the Podcast search box.  Teachings are available for downloading from the BSWA website, the BSWA Youtube Channel, the BSWA Podcast, and Deeper Dhamma Podcast.