Buddhist Society of Western Australia

Ajahn Brahm talks about conflict and how to deal with it.

Using the Dhammapada as the source of inspiration, Ajahn Nissarano gives advice on how to keep our mind focused on that which is most important and essential in life, and to put less important upon that which is not essential, and thereby realise the essence of life.

Is Buddhism a religion? Or is it a way or life or a philosophy? What is it? And what are Buddhists supposed to do? Ajahn Brahm uses his characteristic humour and wisdom to answer these questions?

Ajahn Brahm explores craving. Are there different types? Are some forms of craving necessary for survival? Is all craving 'bad'? Ajahn Brahm shares the secret of finding a balance in the here and now by understanding the nature of craving and the different types of craving, and how to work giving up the types of craving most harmful to us whilst holding on (for the mean time) to those cravings which have some use to us and others.

Mindfulness isn't an end itself, but a means of uncovering the deeper truths of existence that the Buddhist teachings are encouraging us to see. Mindfulness is the first of the Seven Factors of Enlightenment. Ayye Vayama reminds us how developing mindfulness is an essential quality of mind that leads to insight, knowledge and ultimately to Awakening.

Is power any good at all? What is realpower and how is it going to be of benefit to people in the world? How to people get addicted to power and become unwilling to give it up? Ajahn Brahm discusses these questions about the nature of power from a Buddhist perspective.

Ajahn Brahm opens the talk by pointing to how much popularity and traction mindfulness techniques are developing in the contemporary world. He then goes on to explain how developing mindfulness with compassion can be transformative for anyone who practices it.

Ajahn Brahm gives an energetic talk on the value of forgiveness for the spiritual life to an audience in Halifax, Canada in 2014.

Responding to a debate between Sam Harris and Deepak Chopra which appeared to be lacking in science and philosophy and resembled more the arguments had every day between ordinary people, Ajahn Brahm criticises intellectual materialism for lacking heart nor a sense of humour. The purpose of both religion and science should not be defending doctrines and books, but developing a deeper understanding of life and respect for one another. As Ajahn Brahm states,"We mistake the ideas for the truth. We mistake the theories for the underlying emotional freedom which those theories are supposed to be pointing. The sign posts are not the destination."

Ajahn Brahmali gives an accessible and easy to understand talk on rebirth - how we live life after life.

One question often asked by those new to Buddhism is "What holy books do you follow?". Ajahn Brahm responds by telling them that just as the Muslims follow the Koran and the Christians follow the Bible, Buddhists follow meditation. That means that the ultimate reference and authority within Buddhism, the real truth, is direct experience derived from a peaceful mind developed through meditation. This is the ultimate source of wisdom and truth.

Should we "tolerate" other people? Or is that just a bit patronising, or even a put-down? Ajahn Brahm explores what tolerance really means and ways in which we can do even better than tolerance.

Why practice self-compassion? A public talk at University of Toronto on October 17, 2014.

"Meditation is better than sex!" So says Ajahn Brahm who is happy to celebrate the benefits of celibacy.

People often want to take the easy way. This includes in Buddhism where there are no shortage of "short cuts to Enlightenment". However, as Ajahn Brahm explains, there are no effective short cuts, only the Eightfold Path. And whilst we may not always get what we want, we usually get what we need.

Is it really possible to be happy in the world? Or is there something inherently wrong with the system, and no matter what we do with our relationships, with our circumstances, with our mind, that we can't really be happy? Ajahn Brahm takes us deeper into the notion of what happiness really is, and how true happiness can be found.

Often we feel disappointed with how our lives are progressing and how our progress on the spiritual path is going. Ajahn Vayama tries to put this all in perspective by seeing the bigger picture of where we are at on our spiritual journey.

Often we are tempted to try to take charge of things in the world and fix the world's problems. Ajahn Brahm queries this urge to control, and says that another way is to understand and adapt. Indeed control freakery is very much the cause of the problems of the world and being another control freak is not necessarily the answer at all. Ajahn Brahm also refers to the example of the Buddha who could have become a "wheel turning monarch" ruling over much of the world, but instead chose to become the world's wisest teacher.

Ajahn Brahm points out that there's really nothing very wrong with procrastination, and that it's our perfectionism and constant doing that is the real problem. So why do today what we can put off for tomorrow? Just be happy for now. And if you can be happy you're on the track to understanding the meaning of life.