Buddhist Society of Western Australia

Venerable Hasapanna offers a teaching on feelings, especially how to deal with unpleasant feelings. Venerable offers practical advice on how to reduce and remove the unwholesome mind states such as greed, anger and aversion.

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. 

Venerable explains meditation for beginners then leads us through a 30min meditation.  Venerable then talked on mental health issues by relating his own personal struggle.

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 Vayama gives an enlightening talk about how the limitations on our perceptions can cause us to have misleading and inaccurate views about how the world works, including how our own minds work. Only when we develop a mindful attitude and ability to step back and look at the conditions upon the mind can we begin to untangle the puzzle of life.

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.

Giving an unusual talk during the middle of the annual Rains Retreat, Ajahn Vayama talks about what goes on in a monastery during a period of retreat, particularly the focus on developing the inner practice of meditation and developing an insight into the nature of the mind.

Ajahn Vayama reflects back on her first ten years as a nun, ordaining and training in Sri Lanka, and upon how so many faithful people supported her and helped her get to the point of being able to establish a monastery in Australia. She goes on to celebrate with gratitude the generosity of her supporters in those early days and point to what we can all learn from this situation.

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.

Ajahn Brahm gives a talk on one of his favourite topics - reincarnation - and challenges us to reevaluate our doubts about reincarnation. Understanding reincarnation can help us understand our lives and to make peace with death.

The final week of a 4 week beginners meditation class with Venerable Nitho.  Venerable  expands on the ground work laid in weeks 1, 2 and 3 with the focus for the last week being Metta Meditation.

What is Metta Meditation?

Mettā (Pali) or maitrī (Sanskrit) means benevolence, loving-kindness, friendliness, amity, friendship, good will, kindness, and active interest in others. It is the first of the four sublime states (Brahmavihāras) and one of the ten pāramīs of the Theravāda school of Buddhism.

Venerable gives us real world examples of Metta Meditation to apply not only to the world and those around us, but to ourselves as well.  If we are happy, chances are that those around us will feel that and respond in kind.

Ajahn Brahmali leads a guided meditation class on 28th January 2017.

Perseverance is required for success in achieving any goal in life, and this is true for Buddhist practice also. Ajahn Brahmali explains that when we have a commitment to the Buddhist path over many years we get the beautiful, peaceful fruits of practice in our lives.

Many people see the ceremonies and etiquette of religion to be empty and a barrier to getting to know what the teachings are really about. Ajahn Brahm gives a talk going to what the essential core of Buddhism is really about, unbound from the fetter of ceremony and ritual.

Ajahn Brahm gives advice on how to overcome anxiety and panic attacks, sharing stories of his experience to provide guidance on how to find peace in nervous moments in life

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Venerable Nitho expands on the ground work laid in weeks 1 and 2.  Venerable gives us real world examples of how remaining calm and composed can benefit both the meditater and those around us.  The focus this week is breath meditation with [for beginners], an added focus point.  This helps tremendously when learning to meditate.