Buddhist Society of Western Australia

It's become an axiom in amongst Western Buddhists that everything is interconnected. Ajahn Brahm challenges this axiom by pointing out that sometimes things are interconnected and sometimes they aren't. But furthermore, sometimes it's really important to disconnect and let go of all the problems of the world and be at peace.

 As it says in one of the Buddhist chants: "Though touched by worldly circumstances, never the mind is wavering." Ajahn Sister Vayama advising on how to keep the balance of ones mind through the ups and downs of life.

Are you one of the many people who feel bad and guilty for all your mistakes (even the tiny ones)? You'll be pleased to know that Buddhism doesn't do guilt. And in fact the levels of guilt in society are a rather disfunctional aspect of our minds. Ajahn Brahm offers a fresh perspective to let go of the burden of guilt.

Fresh back from the Rains Retreat of 2015, Ajahn Brahm offers advice on what is (and isn't) a problem, and how to resolve them.

Intelligence: What is it? How do we recognize it? And how do we develop it?

Ajahn Brahm outlines a Buddhist perspective on intelligence.

Setting goals is all the rage these days. But how do we resolve the notion of setting goals in life with the Buddhist teaching of letting go and going with the flow? Ajahn Brahm explains how to set goals that are worthwhile and more likely to attain success.

Ajahn Brahm offers insights and suggestions on how to resolve conflict from the small scale to the large, and create a way forward to lasting peace and harmony.

Has religion and spirituality got a future? If so, where is religion in general, and Buddhism in particular heading in future? Ajahn Brahm shares his thoughts on the matter, and the benefits of "disorganised religion."

In response to the question, "In an impermanent world how can we have permanent relationships?" Ayye Vayama answers this and other questions from a pragmatic and wise Buddhist perspective, by distinguishing between conventional and absolute reality.

Ajahn Brahm explores the topic of assisted voluntary euthanasia, but also goes deeper by giving advice on how to die a virtuous death.

In response to questions asking how to bear with and get through acutely difficult times in life, Ayye Vayama gives advice on how to hang on through adversity.

The mind is the forerunner of all things, and our mind can transform our circumstances. The mind that is sharp and empowered can achieve much, and even energise the body. Ajahn Brahm explains how giving everything we've got to the task at hand can transform our situation in unexpected and positive ways. Focusing on what we're doing in the moment is also the key to developing meditation.

Pain is common to all human experience at some time in our lives. Ajahn Brahm offers sage advice on how to deal with the experience of pain.

Ajahn Brahmali outlines a brief history of Buddhism, the impact on Buddhist scriptures, and how this has come to influence our understanding of Buddhism in the modern era.

Vesak Day is the full moon night in May and commerates the birth of the bodhisatta Siddhartha Gotama, his Awakening thereby becoming the Buddha, and final passing away (parinibbana). Whilst much of the world seeks alcohol and drugs to get high, those who are inspired by the message and path of the Buddha can get high on that very inspiration, knowing that there is a path of increasing happiness and ultimately complete freedom. This is the real meaning of Vesak.

We're all so busy in the modern world - and it's wearing us out! As Buddhists, how are we to deal with busy-ness? Ajahn Brahm points out that it's not necessarily the amount of work that people have that is the problem, but how we relate to the work. If we relate to the work with a different attitude it need not be suffering.

Mind arises through contact through the external senses. However these external contacts are filtered through the mind's filter of perception, fundamentally changing our attitude to our experience. We use perception to make sense of the world, but it can also skew our perceptions and reactions to experience. Ayye Vayama explains how to understand the process of perception in our lives.

Honesty is paramount and the basis of all trusting relationships. Whilst honesty can be difficult to practice, it is an essential spiritual quality to develop in life, for our own benefit and the benefit of others. Ajahn Brahm explains how.

Ajahn Brahm gives practical advice on how to deal with criticism.

The Noble Eightfold Path is at the core of Buddhist practice and is the only way to achieve Awakening. Ajahn Brahmali discusses the indispensable role of the Noble Eightfold Path.