Buddhist Society of Western Australia

It was Venerable Mudu's first of, hopefully, many, visits to the Armadale Meditation Group's Tuesday evening session. Venerable opened the evening by introducing himself to us all and relating a shortened version of his life as a monastic. After his introduction he posed the question of "Why on earth would we want to meditate". Is it because it's cool, hip and popular? Well, yes it is cool, hip and popular, but that isn't enough of a reason to do it. Venerable related a story of a visit Ajahn Chah had from an American scientist. The scientist, wishing to know what, if anything, was going on when we meditate, brought along all manner of instruments to try to measure any results he might find. Before he commenced, he asked Ajahn Chah “Why do you meditate”. To which Ajahn Chah responded "To have a healthy body, you must eat right and exercise". "To have a healthy mind, you must meditate".

With that in mind, Venerable then gave an explanation easily understood by inexperienced and experienced meditators alike on the simplest way to start meditating and gently gaining experience with practice. Venerable then led us through meditation beginning with a body sweep and progressing to breath meditation.

After meditation Venerable opened to Q&A before continuing his talk on monastic life and life in general.

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

The first session back after the end of year break and tonight we were attended by Ajahn Appichato, best known as Ajahn Appi. Ajahn started by describing several of the simpler methods of meditation such as using objects or a point of focus. Ajahn's favoured object is the blackness that we encounter when we close our eyes to meditate. It should be noted though that for some of us it will be white, like a light. In either case, it can be an interesting object to focus the mind on. This effectively shuts out the rest of our senses and allows our mind to slow down. For the beginners Ajahn also talked briefly on our breath and breathing as a focus object.

Ajahn then led the group through meditation with changes of focus from the blackness or white light, to breath and breathing meditation. An easy meditation for beginners and an interesting meditation for the more experienced meditator.

After meditation the room was so quiet and relaxed that you could easily have heard a pin hit the floor, and it's carpet.

Ajahn then opened to questions before giving a talk on resolution.

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: https://bswa.org/teachings/, choose the AMG teaching you want, then type the title into the Podcast search box.

Ajahn Brahmali, as one of our most senior and respected monks, doesn't often get the time to visit us at AMG so when he does, we have a full house as he is an excellent teacher.

Ajahn began the night with a talk on the obstacles and problems most often associated with meditation for beginners. Tiredness and the thinking mind, these are the two main issues we deal with when we first learn to meditate. Actually, even experienced meditators experience these obstacles. Ajahn continued to explain how to overcome them.

Ajahn then guided us through a 30 minute meditation followed by opening to questions and offering sound answers and explanations. One of the questions related to death contemplation which in western society is not so much a taboo subject, but one most of us don't want to hear about, let alone contemplate. Ajahn showed us that this was a way of putting down our thoughts of the future when meditating.

This meditation is well suited to those wishing to get a start in meditation.

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.

Ajahn opened the evening by having us make bubbles and laughing. Ajahn then explained that like popping bubbles we can pop our thoughts as they arise during meditation. Ajahn further explained that trying to meditate without joy and happiness in our minds is so much more difficult than with peace, harmony and joy. If you try to meditate with a heavy, dark or unhappy mind it will be difficult, if not impossible, to have a good meditation. Letting go of our thinking mind is the object we all seek. Popping the thoughts as they arise, just as we would a bubble, is where we wish to go. In this way we become an observer of our thoughts rather than being a controller. We let our thoughts pass more easily and more quickly as an observer.

Ajahn then lead the group in a 30 minute guided meditation starting with a body sweep. This meditation is well suited to beginners and experienced alike.

After meditation time seemed to have vanished for all of us so Ajahn reiterated that we need to start our meditation from a peaceful happy place.

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Bhante Buddharakkhita was about to start the evening when he noticed that the Christmas lights were on in our room. Bhante asked that they be left on, and the main lights turned off, so as to mark the time of the year which, to those of us in western society, is Christmas.  Such things, that may seem not to be an issue to us, are to others a trigger for anxiety and stress.  As this was the case for some in our audience, Bhante explained that to run for a lifetime from such things does not make them better or resolve them.  Sooner or later you have to face such triggers and where better than in a group of like minded people who are all learning to meditate.  Bhante then further explained that to help resolve such issues in his own life he would reverse the process by acknowledging the event, and trigger, and instead of allowing it to stress him, he would tell himself to relax.  In this way he managed to resolve his anxiety and simply relax.

Bhante continued his talk, returning to his subject of gratitude, prior to leading the group in a meditation with gratitude foremost in mind. Bhante used the image of floating in a swimming pool to relax and extend his gratitude to the universe before moving to a breath meditation.

After the meditation Bhante used his ample wit and humour to continue his subject of gratitude.  Bhante encouraged us to look for gratitude in all situations and used, as examples, his experience in teaching meditation to a group of children of various ages.  In doing so we can resolve situations that make us anxious or annoyed.

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Ajahn spoke to us on the impermanence of thoughts in our meditation. Thoughts arise and then they pass. Just let them go. We know that, in life, nothing is permanent, things happen then they pass. So it is with our meditation. It doesn't matter if it's metta, breath, counting or a mantra the thoughts will arise and then pass. What matters is that we don't latch onto them, just let them go and return to our meditation.

Ajahn then asked the group which meditation they'd like to do. We chose body contemplation or body sweep and then moving to a breath meditation. Ajahn then reminded us that it isn't so much the method of meditation, it's more that our mind changes over time as we practice. The more we meditate the more relaxed we become.

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Venerable Cunda used his own life as an example of our habit of overloading ourselves with stress. Business, home life or in our working lives, we tend to allow the stress to build up and then overload. We need to find a time in our daily lives to peacefully meditate, leaving the stress behind.

Venerable Cunda leads the group through a peaceful meditation starting with a body scan. The meditation then progresses to the breath with long peaceful silences. The simple but relaxing meditation is well suited to both beginners and experienced alike.

After meditation Venerable expanded on the benefits of meditation - we are more relaxed, more calm and physically relaxed when we meditate. Venerable then opened to Q&A.

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Each year we are blessed with a visit and teaching by Ajahn Nissarano. This year we have been fortunate enough to have him visit twice. Ajahn is based in Sri Lanka, visiting his home city of Perth once or twice every year or so. On such visits Ajahn is usually in high demand so we at AMG are very grateful of his time.  On this occasion Ajahn began the night with an explanation of meditation and programing our minds before we start our meditation. Being aware of negative states of mind prior to our meditation will help immensely. The two most important states of mind being motivation and intention. Ajahn talked to us about these states of mind and how they affect our meditation as well as our daily lives.

Ajahn then guided the group through a 30 minute scanning [body sweep] meditation suited to all, beginners to experienced alike.

After the meditation Ajahn opened the floor to "comments, questions or complaints". Ajahn then continued his talk on programming our own minds and the external influences we are subjected to in modern life.

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Rains has ended for 2018 and Ajahn graced us with his presence. The evening started with laughter and much fussing about with a new microphone. Ajahn, in his singular style, was able to find humour and fun even in this. Needless to say this set the tone for rest of evening. Prior to the Metta-Sutta Ajahn again set the mood by telling a joke. Ajahn rationalised this by telling us that there is enough misery in our lives today without adding more. By using humour we add energy to our lives.

Ajahn expanded on this by telling us to give 100% to everything we do. It doesn't matter how you meditate, as long as you give it 100%. This is not to say we should concentrate so much that we strain something. 100% in meditation is quite the opposite of what we normally would think or feel. 100% in meditation is being here in the present moment, not reliving the past or worrying about the future, just “relax to the max”, here and now in the present moment.

Having made us all laugh and relax, Ajahn then led us in a 30 minute guided meditation commencing with a body sweep. The meditation is well suited to beginners and experienced alike.

After meditation, Ajahn continued to instruct us using humour, jokes, funny stories and common sense.

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Bhante began the evening by taking the first three steps from Ajahn Brahm’s book, “Meditation for Beginners”. Bhante then lightly detailed each of the three steps with a brief and easy to follow instruction.

Present moment awareness is the first step. Leaving the past where it belongs, in the past, not thinking of the future because it will probably not happen anyway and so just being in this moment, here and now. Bhante then went on to give examples of the next two steps that we will take as we progress in our practice.

Bhante then led us in 3 ten minute meditations. The first one being present moment awareness, no thoughts of the past or the future. The second one being no thought (if we are able). This means that when thoughts arise, we try not to engage with them. Just let them come and let them go, trying to focus on the blank area between thoughts. The third is our traditional meditation where we focus, as best we can, on our breath. We do this by many different methods, some will focus on the sensation caused by the air moving into the nose. Some will focus on the air as it fills their lungs. Don't be afraid to try different methods, find one that best suits you.

After the meditation, Bhante opened to Q&A and used a simile for our Do-er and Know-er.

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Kathryn begins her third of four weeks at AMG by explaining why we need, or rather when we may need, to change our perspective. Kathryn uses examples such as the need for very focused perspective when doing surgery as compared to when we need a broad perspective on those occasions when something negative has occurred in our life. The benefits, to our health and well being, of positive emotions and the chemicals our bodies release when we have a positive experience have been the subject of many recognised research studies around the world today.

Kathryn then leads the group in three separate meditations. The first meditation is aimed at recognising when the mind tries to narrow our focus or perspective, putting us into a well known loop of negativity. By recognising when this occurs we can learn to deal with it and return to our broader perspective.

The second meditation highlights our feeling and belief of being independent when, in actuality, we are interdependent on so many people in our lives. Gratitude is used to focus our attention during this meditation. To bring this to mind Kathryn recited a poem by Jane Kenyon (1947–1995), former Poet Laureate of New Hampshire in the US, titled “Otherwise”. The object was to encourage us to realise that despite our trials and tribulations things could be worse and that perhaps our lives aren't quite as bad as we believe.

The third meditation brings to mind equanimity; the calm amidst the storm; the idea of being able to maintain balance and a sense of being grounded when the proverbial is hitting the fan. During the meditation Kathryn helps us to broaden our perspective by reading the “Serenity Prayer”;

“May I have the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;
The courage to change the things I can;
And wisdom to know the difference.”

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Kathryn begins her second of four weeks at AMG by asking all to do a standing body shake - starting with the upper body and finishing with the lower body. This exercise is one practised by the director of Paliative care at Royal Perth Hospital to help patients dissipate the physical signs of stress that has built up in the body during day.

Kathryn then continued her talk on reactivity to external stimuli and what actually happens chemically within our bodies. She then details ways of shortening the time it takes for us to return from those situations that cause us to remain in that stressed state of mind. Mindfully being aware that it is happening will allow us to return to normal in a shorter period of time or, at the very least, shorten the time it takes for those chemicals to dissipate.

We all endure daily situations where we'd rather not be. Being able to be there without over-reacting and, to some degree, reducing the time that we are stressed, can be achieved with mindfulness.

Kathryn then guided the group through a 30 minute body scan meditation using mindfulness.

After the very relaxing body scan meditation Kathryn continued her discussion and talk on our reactions to the sensations we felt during the meditation with a focus on what we noticed or became aware of and not over-reacting.

Kathryn then talks on perception and conditioning within our lives. Kathryn openly relates from an example in her own life when she was nine and how this has changed her perceptions. Our conditioning affects our perceptions and our reactions to reality.

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Kathryn Choules is a regular meditator at the AMG and teaches meditation professionally. Once a year [during Rains], we are blessed to have Kathryn speak and guide our meditation.

This talk and guided meditation is part 1 of a 4 week beginners' course.  The emphasis for the  first week was on the role of Attention, Intention and Attitude in meditation. Kathryn gave examples of each and the resulting effects on our meditation as an introduction before guiding our 30 minute meditation.

After the meditation Kathryn opened to Q&A and provided good explanations to all questions.

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We are most fortunate to have Ajahn Brahmali. Armadale Mediation Group is designed to teach you about meditation. The classes generally begin with chanting the Metta Sutta, then receiving mediation instructions and meditating together, followed by asking questions and finally if time remains listening to a Dhamma talk. The layout can vary.

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

We are blessed to have Ajahn Brahm with his humour, lightness of minds and joyful attitude teach and guide us in meditation. Armadale Mediation Group is designed to teach you about meditation. The classes generally begin with chanting the Metta Sutta, then receiving mediation instructions and meditating together, followed by asking questions and finally if time remains listening to a Dhamma talk. The layout can vary.

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

Ajahn Brahm shares his knowledge on how to meditate the easy way. Armadale Mediation Group is designed to teach you about meditation. The classes generally begin with chanting the Metta Sutta, then receiving mediation instructions and meditating together, followed by asking questions and finally if time remains listening to a Dhamma talk. The layout can vary. (21-04-2015). 

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

We are most fortunate to have Ajahn Brahmali whose focused tonight’s class on Vipassana meditation. Armadale Mediation Group is designed to teach you about meditation. The classes generally begin with chanting the Metta Sutta, then receiving mediation instructions and meditating together, followed by asking questions and finally if time remains listening to a Dhamma talk. However the layout can vary. 

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

Bhante began his talk by explaining for our beginners ànàpàna-sati, or mindfulness, on in-and-out-breathing. Mindfulness brings us into the present moment leaving the past in the past, where it belongs, and not worrying about the future. Present moment awareness.

Bhante then guided the group in a 30 min meditation well suited to beginners and experienced alike using the breath as our meditation object.

After the meditation Bhante opened to Q&A. Bhante then went on to further his explanation of ànàpàna-sati, or mindfulness, on in-and-out-breathing. Bhante also explained the benefits, or rather mind states, that can and often will occur as we progress in our practice. Such as wisdom and there would be few of us that couldn't use a little more of that.

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Bhante Buddharakkhita started the evening by speaking briefly on the current big news items, the rescue of the soccer team from the cave in Thailand and the world cup soccer in Russia. This lead us to a happy or pleasing mind state referred to in Pali as Bhavana. Bhavana was translated in the 18th century to mean meditation, the development or cultivation of the heart/mind. Bhante used this and current events as an object for our meditation to encourage us to see that we are part of a much greater whole. Though we view ourselves as unique, wonderful and special, just as we view our children and loved ones, we are all just a part of a greater community which is just a small part of the entire cosmos.

Bhante guided us in a 30 minute bhavana or meditation well suited to beginners and experienced meditators alike.

After the meditation Bhante asked us how we felt, how the meditation has left us feeling. Bhante then spoke on our concepts of self, to re-enforce that we are part of a whole.

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To find the answer to the question above, you'll need to listen to the session.

Ajahn, despite recovering from a bout of "pony virus", regaled us with his presence on a cold night at Club Med. Using humour, jokes, funny stories and common sense Ajahn warmed our hearts and calmed our minds while teaching us how to meditate.  Ajahn then led us in a 30 min guided meditation well suited to beginners and experienced alike.

After meditation, Ajahn continued to instruct us using humour, jokes, funny stories and common sense.

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