Buddhist Society of Western Australia

Ajahn Brahm offers advice on how best to deal with traumatic or tragic events and reminds us that ultimately we are responsible for our own happiness, even in tough times.

Ajahn Brahm gives a guided meditation and talks about how to avoid distractions.

Ajahn Brahm challenges the benefits of planning and offers a humorous teaching on how wonderful life is when things do not go according to plan. He points out that when you have plans things go wrong and when you don’t have plans things go interesting.

Ajahn Brahm talks about how inspiration can energize our meditation practice and allow us to go beyond the boundaries we normally set for ourselves. Ajahn says inspiration is one of the most important parts of the spiritual life because it is difficult to be kind, generous, loving, forgiving and so on without authentic examples of great acts of generosity and kindness. It is inspiration which encourages us to add our own acts of beauty to this world and those acts spread inspiration to others and make this world a beautiful place.

How many times have you been disappointed? Why is it that sometimes we look at life and feel disappointed? Ajahn Brahm takes a look at what is the cause of our disappointments and says the first reason is because we expect so much of each other, of life and of ourselves. Ajahn offers some practical advice for dealing with disappointments and unreasonable expectations from within and without.

Ajahn Brahm gives a talk about the Theravada Tradition also called the Forest Tradition. Ajahn Brahm reveals the lessons we can learn from nature and points out that part of the Theravada Tradition is to learn much of our understanding and wisdom by living in the forests, within nature.

Ajahn Brahm gives a talk on the practice, challenges and benefits of seclusion, such as retreats. Ajahn explains why people find it so hard to stay by themselves and why he never feels lonely. Ajahn reflects upon how monks and nuns are not escaping life, we are. He points out that living as a hermit, monk or nun forces you to learn about yourself and to develop a relationship with yourself, because you can’t escape yourself. Whereas always needing people, television, radio and busyness is a form of escapism.

Ajahn Brahm teaches that  being in the present moment brings peace and contentment. We apologise the recording is missing the very start of the meditation. 

Ajahn Brahm talks about the core Buddhist values of virtue/ goodness, peace and compassion/ kindness and how these form the basis for skilful interaction with others and are the guiding principles to everything he does in life.

Ajahn Brahm gives a talk on the first line of the Dhammapada: “the mind is the forerunner of all things”. Ajahn reveals what and how powerful the mind is. As well as how Buddhism has a deep understanding of meditation and the nature of the mind, such as how it works and how it can be used to do amazing things.

Ajahn Brahm gives a talk on the benefits of disappointments, frustration and not getting things our way, because it teaches us to let things go more and to flow with things. He offers suggestions for dealing with our problems, such as forgiveness and seeing that what's really important in life are the people and our spiritual development. Ajahn Brahm goes on to talk about the problems of power and trying to control our environment.

Ajahn Brahm gives an overview on what it’s like to be a monk or nun. Ajahn talks about the monastic rules, such as why they need rules, their purpose and what happens when they keep or break them. He points out the importance of understanding the purpose of the rules, so that one keeps them for the right reasons and he explains how they are conducive to happiness, wellbeing and prosperity.

Responding to questions about what is the Buddhist perspective on life and the world, Ajahn Brahm gives a deep explanation on the Buddhist idea of Emptiness and how it relates to meditation. Ajahn Brahm says he will ‘reveal the whole meaning of life.’ He starts by explaining the science and nature of our world and parallels between what we know of the world and the world of our minds. 

Ajahn Brahm reflects upon how monk’s experiences can relate to laypeople's experiences in a busy world. He explains how monks can experience the same stresses and difficulties we experience in the world, but they have a layer of understanding, wisdom and peace to deal with the problems of life much better. Ajahn Brahm also points out that doing good work for others arouses a lot of energy, which enables one to perform at a high standard even when very busy.

Ajahn Brahm talks about Clairvoyance and Buddhism. He asked the audience "did you predict I would speak on this tonight?" He discusses why some predictions are right and others not right. As well as why monks don't show their clairvoyance powers. 

Ajahn Brahm tackles what it means to be a great thinker or smart thinker. He challenges the primacy of the importance of thinking, and advocates instead wisdom based upon inner silence and direct knowledge.

Ajahn Brahm leads a guided meditation focusing on the development of contentment.

Ajahn Brahm talks about the importance of trust in our personal lives and for the operation of a successful society. But most of us have trusted others and felt burned, and have given up on trust. Trust is a quality of great importance which we can develop and apply with wisdom.

Ajahn Brahm guides us through a relaxation exercise using humour and common sense before guiding the meditation.  After the meditation he talks of why we needn't change ourselves, but be comfortable and happy with who we are.  He uses a simile of trees in the forest being bent, often broken and damaged, but beautiful none the less.  You need not change it to think it beautiful.  So why change yourself.

Ajahn Brahm gives advice on how to find peace and stillness in meditation.