Buddhist Society of Western Australia

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.

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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.

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.

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.

Visit the BSWA Stocker Road Project.

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

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.

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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.

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

Monday Night Meditation July 2018 with Venerable Radha.

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

Please support the 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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Ajahn Jhanarato asks us to “just relax”. Whilst breath meditation is the main focus of most meditations Ajahn starts with a relaxing body scan then allows us to move naturally to the breath.

After meditation Ajahn opened to Q&A with explanations on some of the more difficult hindrances for beginners.

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.

November 2019

Ajahn Santutthi talks to us about the habitual nature of our minds and how it can disrupt our meditation practise.

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.

Monday Night Meditation July 2018 with Venerable Radha.

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

Please support the 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 and entered in his usual manner, via the wrong door. Ajahn then partially sat down and then promptly stood again, to the surprise and laughter of the entire room. Ajahn does this in good humour to set us on the path to fun and laughter for the evening regardless of the subject.

Ajahn then for the benefit of those who are starting out in meditation, spoke on the many methods of and hindrances to meditation. Ajahn then guided the group through a 30 minute meditation beginning with a body scan and ending with silence. This meditation is well suited to beginners and experienced meditators alike.

After the guided meditation, Ajahn opened to Q&A. As always, Ajahn uses his life experience and humour interspersed with jokes to convey his message and answers.

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.

Recorded at Dhammayanaram Monastery, home of the Cambodian Buddhist Society of WA November 2019.

Ajahn Jhanarato asks us to leave behind the days baggage and simply enjoy the meditation as a time to relax. We humans tend to hang onto everything, just let it go and relax. Ajahn also suggests that watching the current news before meditation is not going to help. Turn off the phone, the TV and anything else that may intrude and just meditate.

Ajahn 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 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.

Bhante Aranavihara encouraged us to ask ourselves why we meditate? Bhante then gave a brief talk on some of the reasons we meditate and how best to deal with them once meditation commences. Bhante asked us to remind ourselves every five minutes or so to come back to our meditation object, not forcefully, but gently.

Bhante begins the meditation by using a body scan and asking us to let our bodies settle down. After the body scan Bhante suggests we shift our attention to either the breath or our metta object.

After the meditation Bhante 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.

Though not his first teaching assignment, tonight was Venerable Sampa’s first visit as a teacher to The Armadale Meditation Group and a most welcome one. Venerable opened the evening by comparing meditation to cooking. Sometimes the recipe works, sometimes it’s ok and sometimes it’s not what we were expecting at all. So it is with meditation. Sometimes it’s fabulous and sometimes it just doesn’t work. When it doesn’t work, we need to look at what is stopping us.  The disruptive thoughts, the nagging feelings. We need to examine them and at least attempt to resolve them. This needs to be done gently, with kindness and compassion. We can’t just push them aside, they will keep coming back.

Venerable then lead the group in a slightly longer than usual meditation with the first focus being relaxed and comfortable. He then moved the focus to breathing. An easy meditation well suited to beginners and experienced meditators alike.

After the meditation Venerable 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.