QA in Oslo | EN | Ajahn Brahm
Answers to questions on many different topics − negative people, bhikkhuni, nimitta, meditation, hindrances, war, pain, an-atman, rebirth.
Published: 2022-11-26
Photo: DNBF
These questions were asked and answered:
(00:00) − Christmas family time – I find it really difficult when I gather with my big family for Christmas for many days, can you give some advice on how to handle the lack of silence, the negative discussions, they love to discuss all the problems in the world, the overload of thing and food, everybody has so much, and all want to buy more?
(12:05) − Do you currently have ties in the Thai sangha? (the bhikkhuni controversy)
(20:23) − Are you supporting the Thai bhikkhunis in Thailand? If so, how?
(23:29) − Through deep hypnosis, I broke through and came into a state of bliss. This is my first experience of a nimitta. The following day I wanted to get back to this, and tried to force myself back to the beach, and the dark night, but I terrified because I am sure I saw some demons. Is this real? Is this made by my mind because I tried to force it back to the blissful state? Luckily have have experience nimittas on retreat after this, but then i don’t let go, and stay for hours. Can you go in and out of this stage? Is it like riding a bicycle when you get the experience?
(33:53) − Ever so often, I experience the biggest effect of meditation. After the meditation, when I don’t try to meditation, I fall into deep meditation.
(37:02) − No self, how to explain to my husband that his wife does not exist?
(41:57) − How do you find the right balance between doubt and faith/trust in Buddhism? I feel like too much doubt becomes a hindrance, faith without some doubt becomes blind faith. Any input or thought on this?
(50:43) − I can only focus on three consecutive breaths before my mind wanders off. What am I doing wrong in the previous stage?
(57:31) − My parents are kind people, but I never feel close or good connection with them in my head, spending half a day with my mother is enough for me each time I visit them. How can I let go of the guilty feeling I have to be there for my parents (78 and 81 years old), when they seem like they don’t need me.
(1:00:35) − What is the Buddha’s way of seeing the war in Ukraine, and other wars. What to do with Putin?
(1:03:39) − Could you please tell us more about breathing during the meditation.
(1:11:08) − During breathing meditation, I have the feeling that the breath is not right, I am loosing my breath when meditating.
(1:12:13) − Can you please tell us a bit more about full bhikkhuni ordination for women. Why is it important that woman can receive full ordination, compared to other arrangements, such as maechi and others. And what are the arguments from those monks who disagree with you?
(1:13:47) − How to deal with facial muscle tensions?
(1:14:22) − How to deal with chronic pain during meditation?
(1:18:22) − The Buddha developed the teaching of an-atman, contra the Hindu atman, if there are no self, what is then that goes on to be reincarnated or reborn?
(1:22:06) − What is the difference between reincarnation and rebirth?
(1:22:33) − If there is no God, why does Buddhist pray?
This teaching was given in Oslo 2022:
https://dnbf.org/en/2022/11/ajahn-brahm-weekend-retreat/
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(00:00) − Christmas family time – I find it really difficult when I gather with my big family for Christmas for many days, can you give some advice on how to handle the lack of silence, the negative discussions, they love to discuss all the problems in the world, the overload of thing and food, everybody has so much, and all want to buy more?
(12:05) − Do you currently have ties in the Thai sangha? (the bhikkhuni controversy)
(20:23) − Are you supporting the Thai bhikkhunis in Thailand? If so, how?
(23:29) − Through deep hypnosis, I broke through and came into a state of bliss. This is my first experience of a nimitta. The following day I wanted to get back to this, and tried to force myself back to the beach, and the dark night, but I terrified because I am sure I saw some demons. Is this real? Is this made by my mind because I tried to force it back to the blissful state? Luckily have have experience nimittas on retreat after this, but then i don’t let go, and stay for hours. Can you go in and out of this stage? Is it like riding a bicycle when you get the experience?
(33:53) − Ever so often, I experience the biggest effect of meditation. After the meditation, when I don’t try to meditation, I fall into deep meditation.
(37:02) − No self, how to explain to my husband that his wife does not exist?
(41:57) − How do you find the right balance between doubt and faith/trust in Buddhism? I feel like too much doubt becomes a hindrance, faith without some doubt becomes blind faith. Any input or thought on this?
(50:43) − I can only focus on three consecutive breaths before my mind wanders off. What am I doing wrong in the previous stage?
(57:31) − My parents are kind people, but I never feel close or good connection with them in my head, spending half a day with my mother is enough for me each time I visit them. How can I let go of the guilty feeling I have to be there for my parents (78 and 81 years old), when they seem like they don’t need me.
(1:00:35) − What is the Buddha’s way of seeing the war in Ukraine, and other wars. What to do with Putin?
(1:03:39) − Could you please tell us more about breathing during the meditation.
(1:11:08) − During breathing meditation, I have the feeling that the breath is not right, I am loosing my breath when meditating.
(1:12:13) − Can you please tell us a bit more about full bhikkhuni ordination for women. Why is it important that woman can receive full ordination, compared to other arrangements, such as maechi and others. And what are the arguments from those monks who disagree with you?
(1:13:47) − How to deal with facial muscle tensions?
(1:14:22) − How to deal with chronic pain during meditation?
(1:18:22) − The Buddha developed the teaching of an-atman, contra the Hindu atman, if there are no self, what is then that goes on to be reincarnated or reborn?
(1:22:06) − What is the difference between reincarnation and rebirth?
(1:22:33) − If there is no God, why does Buddhist pray?
This teaching was given in Oslo 2022.
Publisert: 2022-11-27
Ajahn Brahm came to visit Norway for a short week, and as part of his stay a weekend retreat was organized in Oslo. You can also find the teaching here.
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About the Author: Ajahn Brahm
