Buddhist Society of Western Australia

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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March 2020

Ajahn Cittapalo asks us to be grateful of the time we have to simply meditate. We live such busy lives that often to have these small moments is difficult. So to appreciate such moments for the opportunity they are, gives us the initial thought to base our meditation on. Let go of the controller and simply watch what comes our way, then let it go. Be it sound, smell or body feelings. See the thought arise, don't engage and let it pass. Time to rest.

Ajahn and the group then meditated for thirty minutes in silence. So, this meditation is best suited to an experienced meditators.

After meditation Ajahn reminded us that when we are suffering with physical pains that it really isn't a good idea to remain in a fixed posture. It is our body and we are allowed to stand, walk and move about. Forcing ourselves to remain stationary during meditation doesn't help when there is pain. Stand, walk around, be comfortable. Meditation is a time to rest, not add another burden to our lives.

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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.

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.

February 2020

Ajahn Santutthi reminded us that often things within our minds are beyond our control. Thoughts arise and thoughts go. It is often when we look at our thoughts that we become tangled, engaged in them. Chaos. With time or rather, over time we learn to notice such thoughts and simply let them pass. Don't engage, just let them go. Let the mind slow down and just be in the moment. No focusing on the past nor the future. Just be in the moment.

Ajahn then guided us in a thirty minute meditation encouraging us to allow our minds to become settled and peaceful. Ajahn reminded us that within each of us this mind state exists and can only be found within us.

After meditation Ajahn opened to questions.

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Teachings are available for downloading from the CBSWA website.

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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.

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.

February 2020

Ajahn Jhanarato commenced the evening by reciting one of the Buddha's early sutta regarding Metta “Suttacentral”. Ajahn did this to encourage us to commence our meditation from the present moment and with Metta in-mind. By doing this we leave the past where it belongs, in the past and the future does take our attention away from the present moment.

Ajahn doesn't use mantras in his meditation, but rather just focuses on present moment awareness. Though he does acknowledge that for many of us, the use of a mantra is helpful. Ajahn then lead the group in a thirty minute meditation well suited to beginners and experienced a like.

After meditation Ajahn opened to Q&A before reciting another of Buddha's early sutta's “Suttacentral” in response to a question.

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Teachings are available for downloading from the CBSWA website.

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

February 2020

Ajahn Cittapalo reminds us that meditation is not about stopping the mind nor fixating on a single thing. Rather we should be kindly aware of what is happening with our mind. Practice just watching what is happening. Don't try to change it, simply acknowledge it and let it go. As we practice this more often, the inner monologue occurs less. Allowing us to enjoy a peaceful relaxing meditation.

The group, having all meditated previously, meditated for thirty minutes in silence.

After meditation Ajahn drew our attention to how happy we feel after meditation and how good the general feeling.

Please support Wat Dhammayanaram Cambodian Society of WA (CBSWA) in making teachings available for free online here.

Teachings are available for downloading from the CBSWA website.

Visit the BSWA Stocker Road Project.

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

February 2020

Ajahn Santutthi talked to us about being a Buddhist monk in the modern world and how it helps to cope with the stresses that come with our modern world. Meditation, over time, allows our monks and us, to leave these stresses behind. If only for a short time, just to allow our minds to relax and quieten.

Ajahn then guided us in a thirty minute meditation well suited to all by encouraging us to simply relax. Make ourselves comfortable and detach from our hectic lives.

After meditation Ajahn opened to questions and further encouraged us to be kind to our minds. Don't make meditation a job, chore or task. Just allow your mind to be your mind and relax.

Please support Wat Dhammayanaram Cambodian Society of WA (CBSWA) in making teachings available for free online here.

Teachings are available for downloading from the CBSWA website.

Visit the BSWA Stocker Road Project.

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

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.

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 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.

January 2020

Ajahn Cittapalo asked us to be grateful to ourselves for making the effort to be there on a Monday night and meditating. As we struggle with meditation, we often forget to be grateful to ourselves for at least making the effort.

Ajahn then guided us in a thirty minute meditation well suited to all. Ajahn then spoke to us on right thought and his two favourite verses from the suttas.

Vist Sutta Central to view and read - Two Kinds of Thought.

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January 2020

Ajahn Jhanarato spoke on anicca [impermanence], an apt subject given the current situation here in Australia. Ajahn spoke on this subject, not to say that we should not be concerned about the climate, but more to point out that it may not affect us and that it keeps us from the present moment. Not thinking of a possible future that may not occur, nor dwelling in the past that may disturb. Ajahn read a sutta from “In The Buddha's Words” by Bhikkhu Bodhi that covers the subject very well.

Ajahn lead the group in a 30 minute relaxing meditation reminding us to not dwell in the past nor become anxious about the future. This meditation is well suited to beginners and experienced a like.

After meditation Ajahn opened to Q&A before continuing to speak on a variety of subjects.

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Teachings are available for downloading from the CBSWA website.

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December 2019

Ajahn Santutthi related a simile by the Buddha about mangoes. Rather than picking the fruit, the Buddha patiently waited for the fruit to fall. Ajahn encourages us all to do the same regards our meditation practise, be patient and wait for the deeper states to occur naturally.

Ajahn then guided us in a thirty minute meditation well suited to all. Ajahn then related Buddha's earlier practise of meditation when he was trying many different techniques in his effort to find the best meditation.

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Teachings are available for downloading from the CBSWA website.

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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.

December 2019

The last meditation before Christmas 2019 and Ajahn JR promises us that there is nothing to think about for our half hour meditation. The most important thing right now, is right now, just this moment. Nothing to think about, nothing to do, just relax and let the thoughts arise and pass.

Ajahn lead the group in a 30 minute mindfulness meditation well suited to beginners and experienced a like.

After meditation Ajahn opened to Q&A.

Please support the CBSWA in making teachings available for free online

Teachings are available for downloading from the CBSWA website

Visit the Stocker Road Project

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

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.

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.

December 2019

Ajahn Santutthi suggests we use our meditation to get off the treadmill that we often feel we are on in life and just relax in meditation. Ajahn further suggests we give ourselves the opportunity to relax, to forget about the past, not dream of the future and just relax in the present moment.

Ajahn the guided us in a thirty minute meditation well suited to all before reminding us that nothing lasts for-ever.

Please support Wat Dhammayanaram Cambodian Buddhist Society of WA (CBSWA) in making teachings available for free online here.

Teachings are available for downloading from the CBSWA website.

Visit the BSWA Stocker Road Project.

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

April 2018

Recorded at Wat Dhammayanaram.

Please support Wat Dhammayanaram Cambodian Society of WA (CBSWA) in making teachings available for free online here.

Teachings are available for downloading from the CBSWA website.

Visit the BSWA Stocker Road Project.

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

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.

April 2018

Recorded at Wat Dhammayanaram.

Please support Wat Dhammayanaram Cambodian Society of WA (CBSWA) in making teachings available for free online here.

Teachings are available for downloading from the CBSWA website.

Visit the BSWA Stocker Road Project.

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