Buddhist Society of Western Australia

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.

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

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.

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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 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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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.

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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.

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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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.

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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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.

April 2018

Monday Night Meditation with Venerable Pasado. Recorded at Dhammayanaram Monastery, home of the Cambodian Society of WA.

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.

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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

December 2019

Ajahn Jhanarato encouraged us to let the heat go and enjoy the meditation as a time to relax. When it's hot we tend to allow the heat to get to us, make us uncomfortable and unable to relax. Ajahn asked us to not only let go any noise around us but the heat as well.  Ajahn then lead the group in a 30 minute body scan 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.

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.

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Monday Night Meditation July 2018 with Venerable Radha.

Recorded at Dhammayanaram Monastery, home of the Cambodian Society of WA.

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