Buddhist Society of Western Australia

This talk is republished with permission by Metta Centre, teaching retrieved from http://Dhamma Talks – Metta Centre.

There can be a tendency to read lots of Dhamma, watch heaps of YouTube from many Monks – in the hope of finding the perfect answer and path to Enlightenment! One very wise monk (extra points if you know who it was, and why he said it) famously pronounced: ”There is only one book worth reading: the Mind”. Our sentient experience comes from within and therefore practice is best centered on your own 5 aggregates, and not on the “outside”.

00:00:00 - Introduction
00:01:57 - Meditation
00:35:33 - Brahmaviharas
00:37:24 - Meditation works when you get out of the way
00:39:28 - The next book...
00:41:07 - Ajahn Chah's methods
00:46:40 - Negative states in meditation
00:49:28 - Mudita - scientific studies
00:53:24 - Modern distractions
00:55:03 - Conditioned preferences
00:58:50 - Mental illness
01:01:56 - Meditation practice - happy place
01:05:51 - Q&A
01:06:11 - Looking into the feeling of metta
01:09:01 - Transition from cerebral to contemplative
01:13:02 - We're writing the book every moment
01:17:40 - Thich Nhat Hanh's Peace Treaty
01:22:18 - Finding more purpose as a monk
01:24:38 - Mindfulness apps causing distress
01:27:55 - Dedication of merits
01:29:37 - Announcements

#buddhism #meditation #metta #mudita #lovingkindness #dharmatalk #dhammatalk

** About the Speaker **
Bhikkhu Mettaji believes that he is a very fortunate Bhikkhu to be given the opportunity to ordain late in life at Bodhinyana, a very precious and rare gift. His lifelong search for absolute truth started a long time ago in Europe in his teens. He is now in his mid-60s and believes he only found the real teachings when he touched Theravada Buddhism 10 years ago. Good people with Metta sustained and nurtured him through the difficult years. He was fortunate to run into an ex-monk from the Thai Forest tradition in 2009, in Sydney, who had been one of Ajahn Chah’s carers. Soon afterwards he discovered that all the teachings of the Buddha are very honest and thorough, and passed all experiential investigation. There are no loopholes in the Suttas and the Eightfold Path does gradually reduce suffering. He finds it a blessing to have Ajahn Brahmavamso as his preceptor and access to other marvellous teachers like Ajahn Brahmali, Bhante Sujato and Bhikkhu Bodhi. Such riches! His name, Mettaji comes from a monk in the time of the Buddha and translates as ” Victory through loving kindness.” That is the aspiration he wants to fulfil in his practice and in meeting anyone, anywhere.

** About Metta Centre **
To find out more about the Metta Centre & how you can support us you can visit https://www.mettacentre.com

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

To find and download more precious Dhamma teachings, visit the BSWA teachings page: https://bswa.org/teachings/, choose the teaching you want and click on the audio to open it up on Podbean.

Dhamma talk by Ajahn Bodhidhaja on the 5th December 2022, at the Buddhist Society of Victoria (BSV).

Bhante Bodhidhaja, born in Switzerland as Nicolas Vrticka was introduced to Buddhism at an early age by a neighbour. After graduation Nicolas worked as a primary school teacher and chose social work as an alternative for compulsory military training in Switzerland.

At the age of 21, while on a visit to India in 2003 Nicolas took on a temporary ordination under the late Acharya Buddharakhita who gave him the monastic name Bodhidhaja and since kept the same name in memory of his Teacher.

From late 2006 Nicolas spent time living, practicing and serving as a lay person in different Monastic communities around the world. Upon returning to Perth BSWA in 2010 became an Anagarika followed by being a novice and higher ordination in 2012 under Ajahn Brahm.

Bhante Bodhidhaja is part of the BSWA Monastic Community.

Please visit the BSV Podcast Channel and BSV YouTube Channel

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

To find and download more precious Dhamma teachings, visit the BSWA teachings page: https://bswa.org/teachings/, choose the teaching you want and click on the audio to open it up on Podbean.

Ajahn Brahm teaches about the importance of emotional intelligence, acceptance and respecting others.

To find and download more Guided Meditations on Podcast, visit the BSWA teachings page: https://bswa.org/teachings/, choose the meditation you want and then type the date into the Podcast search box e.g. 01-09-2018 or try 1 September 2018.

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

Dhamma talk by Ajahn Nissarano on the 2 April 2023, at the Buddhist Society of Victoria (BSV). 

Venerable Nissarano is an Australian monk who ordained under Ajahn Brahm 22 years ago. He currently resides at the Newbury Buddhist Monastery as the Senior Monastic.

Please visit the BSV Podcast Channel and BSV YouTube Channel

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

To find and download more precious Dhamma teachings, visit the BSWA teachings page: https://bswa.org/teachings/, choose the teaching you want and click on the audio to open it up on Podbean.

Dhamma talk by Ajahn Brahmali on the 3 April 2022, at the Buddhist Society of Victoria (BSV). 

Ajahn Brahmali was born in Norway in 1964. He first became interested in Buddhism and meditation in his early 20s after a visit to Japan. Having completed degrees in engineering and finance, he began his monastic training as an anagarika (keeping the eight precepts) in England at Amaravati and Chithurst Buddhist Monastery.

After hearing teachings from Ajahn Brahm he decided to travel to Australia to train at Bodhinyana Monastery. Ajahn Brahmali has lived at Bodhinyana Monastery since 1994, and was ordained as a Bhikkhu, with Ajahn Brahm as his preceptor, in 1996. In 2015 he will be entered his 20^th Rains Retreat as a fully ordained monastic and received the title Maha Thera (Great Elder).

Please visit the BSV Podcast Channel and BSV YouTube Channel

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

To find and download more precious Dhamma teachings, visit the BSWA teachings page: https://bswa.org/teachings/, choose the teaching you want and click on the audio to open it up on Podbean.

Ajahn Brahm shares several stories of how meditation and acts of kindness re-energized his mind and body.

To find and download more Guided Meditations on Podcast, visit the BSWA teachings page: https://bswa.org/teachings/, choose the meditation you want and then type the date into the Podcast search box e.g. 01-09-2018 or try 1 September 2018.

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

Dhamma talk by Ajahn Nissarano on the 12 March 2023, at the Buddhist Society of Victoria (BSV). 

Venerable Nissarano is an Australian monk who ordained under Ajahn Brahm 22 years ago. He currently resides at the Newbury Buddhist Monastery as the Senior Monastic.

Please visit the BSV Podcast Channel and BSV YouTube Channel

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

To find and download more precious Dhamma teachings, visit the BSWA teachings page: https://bswa.org/teachings/, choose the teaching you want and click on the audio to open it up on Podbean.

Dhamma talk by Ajahn Brahm on the 2nd March 2022, at the Buddhist Society of Victoria (BSV). 

Ajahn Brahm was born in London in 1951 and earned a degree in theoretical physics from Cambridge University. He became a monk in 1974 in the Forest Tradition of north-east Thailand under the highly esteemed meditation master Ajahn Chah. Ajahn Brahm is today a revered spiritual teacher and guide, and is abbot of the largest Buddhist monastery in the Southern Hemisphere. He is the author of Opening the Door Of Your Heart (a.k.a. Who Ordered this Truckload of Dung?), Mindfulness Bliss and Beyond, The Art of Disappearing and Don’t Worry Be Grumpy (a.k.a. Good? Bad? Who knows?). His public teachings regularly attract thousands to his inventive and insightful talks, which are heard by millions of people online.

Please visit the BSV Podcast Channel and BSV YouTube Channel

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

To find and download more precious Dhamma teachings, visit the BSWA teachings page: https://bswa.org/teachings/, choose the teaching you want and click on the audio to open it up on Podbean.

Ajahn Santutthi talks about how to make good Karma, such as serving others and not holding onto your complaining thoughts.

To find and download more Guided Meditations on Podcast, visit the BSWA teachings page: https://bswa.org/teachings/, choose the meditation you want and then type the date into the Podcast search box e.g. 01-09-2018 or try 1 September 2018.

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

Dhamma talk by Ajahn Bodhidhaja on the 4th December 2022, at the Buddhist Society of Victoria (BSV).

This talk is dedicated with gratitude to all whom I have crossed paths with, who have walked with me or are still walking with me, especially during difficult times. Thank you for your kindness, care, support and friendship!

Friendship PDF Slides (BSV 2022.12):

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hiGhJEzAf2zO98popIBKx9OylJ_uDQ0g/view?usp=share_link

Sutta references:

• Advice to Sigālaka (DN 31) https://suttacentral.net/dn31
• A Friend 1st & 2nd (AN7.36 & 37) https://suttacentral.net/an7.36 & https://suttacentral.net/an7.37
• Half the Spiritual Life (SN45.2) https://suttacentral.net/sn45.2
• Link to a related YouTube video on friendship: Why You Are Lonely and How to Make Friends - Kurzgesagt - In a Nutshell https://youtu.be/I9hJ_Rux9y0

Bhante Bodhidhaja, born in Switzerland as Nicolas Vrticka was introduced to Buddhism at an early age by a neighbour. After graduation Nicolas worked as a primary school teacher and chose social work as an alternative for compulsory military training in Switzerland.

At the age of 21, while on a visit to India in 2003 Nicolas took on a temporary ordination under the late Acharya Buddharakhita who gave him the monastic name Bodhidhaja and since kept the same name in memory of his Teacher.

From late 2006 Nicolas spent time living, practicing and serving as a lay person in different Monastic communities around the world. Upon returning to Perth BSWA in 2010 became an Anagarika followed by being a novice and higher ordination in 2012 under Ajahn Brahm.

Bhante Bodhidhaja is part of the BSWA Monastic Community.

Please visit the BSV Podcast Channel and BSV YouTube Channel

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

To find and download more precious Dhamma teachings, visit the BSWA teachings page: https://bswa.org/teachings/, choose the teaching you want and click on the audio to open it up on Podbean.

Ajahn Brahm shares several stories illustrating how to learn from your difficulties and become wiser and kinder.

To find and download more Guided Meditations on Podcast, visit the BSWA teachings page: https://bswa.org/teachings/, choose the meditation you want and then type the date into the Podcast search box e.g. 01-09-2018 or try 1 September 2018.

Copyright Buddhist Society of Western Australia www.bswa.org

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

Dhamma talk by Bhante Sunyo on the 6th February 2022, at the Buddhist Society of Victoria (BSV).

Please visit the BSV Podcast Channel and BSV YouTube Channel

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

To find and download more precious Dhamma teachings, visit the BSWA teachings page: https://bswa.org/teachings/, choose the teaching you want and click on the audio to open it up on Podbean.

Ajahn Brahmali teaches us what real freedom is from the Buddha’s point of view.

To find and download more Guided Meditations on Podcast, visit the BSWA teachings page: https://bswa.org/teachings/, choose the meditation you want and then type the date into the Podcast search box e.g. 01-09-2018 or try 1 September 2018.

Copyright Buddhist Society of Western Australia www.bswa.org

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

Dhamma talk by Ajahn Nissarano on the 13th February 2022, at the Buddhist Society of Victoria (BSV). Ajahn Nissarano was born in Perth in 1952. After working in libraries for 20 years, he ordained at Bodhinyana Monastery as a fully ordained monk in March 1998. He spent a total of 9.5 years at the Monastery, before travelling to Thailand in 2005, and to Sri Lanka in 2006. He has lived in Sri Lanka for more 10 years, and for the past 6 years has been living on his own in a hut under a rock, surrounded by forest, on the side of a mountain. He periodically visits Australia, usually Melbourne and Perth.

Please visit the BSV Podcast Channel and BSV YouTube Channel

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

To find and download more precious Dhamma teachings, visit the BSWA teachings page: https://bswa.org/teachings/, choose the teaching you want and click on the audio to open it up on Podbean.

Ajahn Brahmali talks about developing positive perceptions, how we are preconditioned from our past and the dangers of anger. Ajahn explains how Metta can gradually steer our mind onto the right path. 

To find and download more Guided Meditations on Podcast, visit the BSWA teachings page: https://bswa.org/teachings/, choose the meditation you want and then type the date into the Podcast search box e.g. 01-09-2018 or try 1 September 2018.

Copyright Buddhist Society of Western Australia www.bswa.org

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

Ajahn Brahm explains how Buddhism doesn't tell us what to believe, but instead it trains us to find out the truth for ourselves. Buddhist practice is to be experienced.

To find and download more Guided Meditations on Podcast, visit the BSWA teachings page: https://bswa.org/teachings/, choose the meditation you want and then type the date into the Podcast search box e.g. 01-09-2018 or try 1 September 2018.

Copyright Buddhist Society of Western Australia www.bswa.org

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

Dhamma talk by Ajahn Nissarano on the 05 March 2023, at the Buddhist Society of Victoria (BSV). 

Venerable Nissarano is an Australian monk who ordained under Ajahn Brahm 22 years ago. He currently resides at the Newbury Buddhist Monastery as the Senior Monastic.

Please visit the BSV Podcast Channel and BSV YouTube Channel

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

To find and download more precious Dhamma teachings, visit the BSWA teachings page: https://bswa.org/teachings/, choose the teaching you want and click on the audio to open it up on Podbean.

Ajahn Brahmali teaches us how to practice Right View in our day to day life. Right View is the first part of The Noble Eightfold Path (The Middle Way).

To find and download more Guided Meditations on Podcast, visit the BSWA teachings page: https://bswa.org/teachings/, choose the meditation you want and then type the date into the Podcast search box e.g. 01-09-2018 or try 1 September 2018.

Copyright Buddhist Society of Western Australia www.bswa.org

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

Ajahn Brahm teaches us how to create social harmony and make others feel welcomed.

To find and download more Guided Meditations on Podcast, visit the BSWA teachings page: https://bswa.org/teachings/, choose the meditation you want and then type the date into the Podcast search box e.g. 01-09-2018 or try 1 September 2018.

Copyright Buddhist Society of Western Australia www.bswa.org

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

Ajahn Brahm shares ghost stories and the Buddhist perspective on death, ghosts and heavenly beings.

To find and download more Guided Meditations on Podcast, visit the BSWA teachings page: https://bswa.org/teachings/, choose the meditation you want and then type the date into the Podcast search box e.g. 01-09-2018 or try 1 September 2018.

Copyright Buddhist Society of Western Australia www.bswa.org

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