1 00:00:08,566 --> 00:00:11,177 Can you see over there? 2 00:00:11,177 --> 00:00:12,680 move over to this side 3 00:00:12,680 --> 00:00:19,197 I got my own, what about you? OK 4 00:00:19,197 --> 00:00:24,810 But anyway just to let everybody know that this is a 5 00:00:24,810 --> 00:00:31,279 translation of the Venerable Nyanatiloka's the Word of the Buddha 6 00:00:31,279 --> 00:00:35,891 a compilation of Suttas 7 00:00:35,891 --> 00:00:39,170 its built around the framework of 8 00:00:39,170 --> 00:00:42,849 the Four Noble Truths and the Eightfold Path 9 00:00:42,849 --> 00:00:47,506 and doing this was because the translation 10 00:00:47,506 --> 00:00:53,039 which was over 100 years ago is well pass its use by date 11 00:00:53,039 --> 00:00:58,300 So because of that it was nice to be able to do a new translation 12 00:00:58,300 --> 00:01:01,364 and also the way that we do the translation 13 00:01:01,364 --> 00:01:03,539 if you haven't heard this before 14 00:01:03,539 --> 00:01:08,190 is to make sure that you don't translate word for word 15 00:01:08,190 --> 00:01:17,721 because word for word translations just make very silly translations 16 00:01:17,721 --> 00:01:23,129 such as it was raining heavily and you say 'it rained cats and dogs' 17 00:01:23,129 --> 00:01:25,568 and if you translate that into a foreign language 18 00:01:25,568 --> 00:01:27,260 they think it is really weird 19 00:01:27,260 --> 00:01:32,167 in Australia the cats and dogs come falling from the sky. 20 00:01:32,167 --> 00:01:36,067 And that's what we call an idiom 21 00:01:36,067 --> 00:01:41,084 And even Pali has idioms in which that 22 00:01:41,084 --> 00:01:45,402 these words which is said; ways in which words are used. 23 00:01:45,402 --> 00:01:52,179 So I take my cue, my advice from Professor A.K. Warder 24 00:01:52,179 --> 00:01:53,790 who would state 25 00:01:53,790 --> 00:01:55,989 and I thought it was a very good insight 26 00:01:55,989 --> 00:02:01,657 that we never translate words we translate sentences or phrases 27 00:02:01,657 --> 00:02:06,177 which are the units of ideas. 28 00:02:06,177 --> 00:02:08,741 So we never think words, we think sentences 29 00:02:08,741 --> 00:02:14,553 indeed the words are defined, their meaning is defined by the context 30 00:02:14,553 --> 00:02:21,453 So that gives much more clarity and also what people say 'punch' 31 00:02:21,453 --> 00:02:24,604 to these translations. 32 00:02:24,604 --> 00:02:29,104 And some of these translations are again pass their use by date 33 00:02:29,104 --> 00:02:30,851 even by themselves 34 00:02:30,851 --> 00:02:36,545 Such as things like right .... further down you would see the 35 00:02:36,545 --> 00:02:45,258 right motivation, the second factor of the Eight-fold Path 36 00:02:45,258 --> 00:02:47,987 instead of right thought. 37 00:02:47,987 --> 00:02:50,188 So I call it Right Motivation. 38 00:02:50,188 --> 00:02:52,235 Now we have Right Action, Right Livelihood 39 00:02:52,235 --> 00:02:54,856 The sixth of the Eight-fold Path is 40 00:02:54,856 --> 00:02:59,262 I translate it as Right Endeavour rather than Right Effort. 41 00:02:59,262 --> 00:03:03,721 Because effort again in my life as a monk 42 00:03:03,721 --> 00:03:08,693 the effort usually tends to get you tired, it tends to get you tensed 43 00:03:08,693 --> 00:03:13,247 it seems the opposite of what we are trying to do 44 00:03:13,247 --> 00:03:15,547 And instead by trying to look for some other 45 00:03:15,547 --> 00:03:17,500 possible translations 46 00:03:17,500 --> 00:03:21,077 so far, using the word endeavor 47 00:03:21,077 --> 00:03:25,804 So we have like a type of goal but not which comes from effort 48 00:03:25,804 --> 00:03:27,388 but as you will see in a few moments 49 00:03:27,388 --> 00:03:31,996 comes from stopping, letting go, restraining, abandoning 50 00:03:31,996 --> 00:03:35,158 those types of so called effort 51 00:03:35,158 --> 00:03:37,788 really it is a non-effort. 52 00:03:37,788 --> 00:03:41,453 And of course the big one later on number 8 is Right Stillness 53 00:03:41,453 --> 00:03:43,601 instead of Right Concentration. 54 00:03:43,601 --> 00:03:48,254 So it's good to take these translations even further 55 00:03:48,254 --> 00:03:51,139 I am never going to say that this is going to be the 56 00:03:51,139 --> 00:03:53,972 fixed and final translation for ever. 57 00:03:53,972 --> 00:03:57,254 Translations are always work in progress 58 00:03:57,254 --> 00:03:59,280 So anyway with that in mind 59 00:03:59,280 --> 00:04:06,089 just to get back to what I said before about these translations 60 00:04:06,089 --> 00:04:09,180 a new translation on the Word of the Buddha 61 00:04:09,180 --> 00:04:14,838 So I usually start with paying homage to the Buddha with Namo tassa 62 00:04:14,838 --> 00:04:22,076 Namo tassa bhagavato arahato samma sambuddhassa 63 00:04:22,076 --> 00:04:31,338 Namo tassa bhagavato arahato samma sambuddhassa 64 00:04:31,338 --> 00:04:38,765 Namo tassa bhagavato arahato samma sambuddhassa 65 00:04:38,765 --> 00:04:42,139 So what now is Right Endeavour 66 00:04:42,139 --> 00:04:47,888 this is the Sixth Factor of the Eight-fold Path 67 00:04:47,888 --> 00:04:49,728 What, now, is right endeavour? 68 00:04:49,728 --> 00:04:53,297 These are these quotes from the Suttas 69 00:04:53,297 --> 00:04:55,856 There are these four right endeavours: 70 00:04:55,856 --> 00:05:00,355 restraint, abandonment, development & preservation. 71 00:05:00,355 --> 00:05:02,878 Four Right endeavours: 72 00:05:02,878 --> 00:05:05,753 And what is the endeavour of restraint? 73 00:05:05,753 --> 00:05:09,097 Straight away you can see that word restraint 74 00:05:09,097 --> 00:05:13,278 means not doing something but stopping doing something. 75 00:05:13,278 --> 00:05:16,799 restraining and abandoning and letting go. 76 00:05:16,799 --> 00:05:19,338 You might call it the effort to let go 77 00:05:19,338 --> 00:05:25,329 but really letting go is the opposite of trying to get somewhere, effort 78 00:05:25,329 --> 00:05:27,968 So what is the endeavour of restraint? 79 00:05:27,968 --> 00:05:33,137 When you see an object, you do not let yourself get sucked in 80 00:05:33,137 --> 00:05:38,147 by any characteristics or features that generate defilements. 81 00:05:38,147 --> 00:05:41,579 You get to see straightaway 'getting sucked in' 82 00:05:41,579 --> 00:05:45,554 that is the word we'll use in English; it's a modern word 83 00:05:45,554 --> 00:05:51,904 but it's not the word you see in the translation of 100 years ago. 84 00:05:51,904 --> 00:05:54,602 What is the endeavour of restraint when you see an object you do not 85 00:05:54,602 --> 00:05:58,502 let yourself get sucked in by any characteristics or features 86 00:05:58,502 --> 00:06:01,140 that generate defilements. 87 00:06:01,140 --> 00:06:04,910 Since, if you left the faculty of sight unrestrained, 88 00:06:04,910 --> 00:06:08,981 unskillful states of wanting and aversion would afflict you. 89 00:06:08,981 --> 00:06:11,698 Instead, you practice wisdom when seeing, 90 00:06:11,698 --> 00:06:16,858 you guard the faculty of sight, and you undertake the restraint of sight. 91 00:06:16,858 --> 00:06:25,782 So, if you are a monk and you see some unclad woman coming into the hall 92 00:06:25,782 --> 00:06:29,443 and then you make sure you try and look at something which 93 00:06:29,443 --> 00:06:32,190 does not arouse lust in you. 94 00:06:32,190 --> 00:06:36,872 If you are a married woman and you see a hot guy coming in 95 00:06:36,872 --> 00:06:43,472 you don't look at things which would again create lust or desire. 96 00:06:43,472 --> 00:06:46,313 If you see something you don't like 97 00:06:46,313 --> 00:06:49,922 you don't surround yourself, just because a person may 98 00:06:49,922 --> 00:06:54,113 have some marks or scars or not be physically perfect 99 00:06:54,113 --> 00:06:57,122 you don't let yourself get sucked in with aversion 100 00:06:57,122 --> 00:07:00,464 If you see someone who resembles Donald Trump coming in 101 00:07:00,464 --> 00:07:04,084 you don't look at those features which reminds you of Donald Trump 102 00:07:04,084 --> 00:07:07,026 and allows you to get aversion. 103 00:07:07,026 --> 00:07:11,045 So in other words you control the faculty of sight 104 00:07:11,045 --> 00:07:17,494 so it doesn't get you upset. 105 00:07:17,494 --> 00:07:21,485 And also even if you see something you really really like, 106 00:07:21,485 --> 00:07:30,809 like a new iPod, or tablet or dress or car or something which you see.. 107 00:07:30,809 --> 00:07:33,745 wow I really like that: you actually just restrain 108 00:07:33,745 --> 00:07:36,195 the features of sight. 109 00:07:36,195 --> 00:07:38,240 So you don't allow yourself to get sucked in 110 00:07:38,240 --> 00:07:42,200 by any characteristics or features that generate defilements. 111 00:07:42,200 --> 00:07:47,098 Having heard a sound; notice the smell; sense the taste, felt a bodily feeling 112 00:07:47,098 --> 00:07:49,245 even having cognized in the mind 113 00:07:49,245 --> 00:07:52,803 you do not let yourself get sucked in 114 00:07:52,803 --> 00:07:57,789 by any characteristics or features that generate defilements. 115 00:07:57,789 --> 00:08:00,321 Since, if you left the mind faculty unrestrained, 116 00:08:00,321 --> 00:08:04,527 unskillful states of wanting and aversion would afflict you. 117 00:08:04,527 --> 00:08:06,912 Instead, you practice wisdom with the mind, 118 00:08:06,912 --> 00:08:12,193 you guard the mind, and you undertake restraint of the mind. 119 00:08:12,193 --> 00:08:15,768 So this is what we do with the mindfulness 120 00:08:15,768 --> 00:08:18,420 but we also use the restraint. 121 00:08:18,420 --> 00:08:25,890 So we make sure we do not get drawn in to features 122 00:08:25,890 --> 00:08:31,985 which make us get lost in what we see, hear, taste, touch or know. 123 00:08:31,985 --> 00:08:39,201 At the end of every section here I would give you the opportunity 124 00:08:39,201 --> 00:08:41,054 to ask a question if you need to. 125 00:08:41,054 --> 00:08:44,018 so you can always put your hand up. 126 00:08:44,018 --> 00:08:47,464 So the second endeavour, the endeavour to abandon. 127 00:08:47,464 --> 00:08:49,831 And what is the endeavour to abandon? 128 00:08:49,831 --> 00:08:52,866 Here, you do not maintain an arisen motivation of wanting; 129 00:08:52,866 --> 00:08:56,872 you abandon it. let it go, renounce it, bring it to cessation. 130 00:08:56,872 --> 00:09:00,747 You do not indulge in arisen motivation of aversion 131 00:09:00,747 --> 00:09:03,772 an arisen motivation of harming … 132 00:09:03,772 --> 00:09:06,210 whenever bad motivations arise; 133 00:09:06,210 --> 00:09:09,636 you abandon them, let them go, renounce them, and bring them to cessation. 134 00:09:09,636 --> 00:09:12,843 This is called the endeavour to abandon. 135 00:09:12,843 --> 00:09:17,430 So restraint-you don't allow states of mind 136 00:09:17,430 --> 00:09:24,881 which will cause you grief, struggle and unpleasantness, affliction 137 00:09:24,881 --> 00:09:28,437 so you make sure they don't come in the first place 138 00:09:28,437 --> 00:09:32,421 and if they have come in you find ways to abandon 139 00:09:32,421 --> 00:09:35,001 those unpleasant states. 140 00:09:35,001 --> 00:09:41,681 And the most commonly known method of abandoning 141 00:09:41,681 --> 00:09:48,043 is in the Vitakkasanthana Sutta the Majjhima 20 142 00:09:48,043 --> 00:09:50,543 When you are mindful of some object, 143 00:09:50,543 --> 00:09:54,454 and there arises in you afflicting unwholesome motivations 144 00:09:54,454 --> 00:09:56,648 connected with desire, aversion and delusion, then: 145 00:09:56,648 --> 00:09:59,615 First way is substitution: 146 00:09:59,615 --> 00:10:02,312 You should give attention to some other object 147 00:10:02,312 --> 00:10:05,196 that generates wholesome mind states. 148 00:10:05,196 --> 00:10:08,753 Thus, unwholesome states are abandoned and subside. 149 00:10:08,753 --> 00:10:11,841 With their disappearance, your mind becomes internally steady, 150 00:10:11,841 --> 00:10:14,473 settled, unified and still. 151 00:10:14,473 --> 00:10:16,692 So you are really upset about some.. 152 00:10:16,692 --> 00:10:23,514 a good way of substitution is the old simile of the two bad bricks on the wall 153 00:10:23,514 --> 00:10:26,624 if you just watch the two bad bricks in the wall 154 00:10:26,624 --> 00:10:33,714 then that gives you feelings of aversion, wanting to destroy 155 00:10:33,714 --> 00:10:38,043 wanting to start all over again; feelings of not being competent or whatever. 156 00:10:38,043 --> 00:10:41,484 So instead of just looking at the two bad bricks 157 00:10:41,484 --> 00:10:46,296 you look at just the 998 good bricks 158 00:10:46,296 --> 00:10:48,864 which means your mind does become internally steady 159 00:10:48,864 --> 00:10:51,405 settled, unified and still. 160 00:10:51,405 --> 00:10:54,999 or another object which you might go and look at 161 00:10:54,999 --> 00:10:58,522 I am just relating this to some of the stories which you have heard on 162 00:10:58,522 --> 00:11:00,064 Friday nights. 163 00:11:00,064 --> 00:11:03,666 Is to go into the forest and look at crooked trees. 164 00:11:03,666 --> 00:11:06,058 And look at crooked trees and they become beautiful 165 00:11:06,058 --> 00:11:10,156 So by changing the object from say your husband, your wife 166 00:11:10,156 --> 00:11:14,247 or your scores in the exam or other things which happen in your life 167 00:11:14,247 --> 00:11:16,237 and you think; 'oh life is terrible' 168 00:11:16,237 --> 00:11:20,186 Change to some other object usually in the nature and you think 169 00:11:20,186 --> 00:11:21,297 this is the nature of the world 170 00:11:21,297 --> 00:11:24,731 and you don't have to be perfect. 171 00:11:24,731 --> 00:11:30,461 So by giving attention to some other object that generate 172 00:11:30,461 --> 00:11:32,279 wholesome mind states 173 00:11:32,279 --> 00:11:35,529 the unwholesome states become abandoned and subside. 174 00:11:35,529 --> 00:11:39,334 And you become internally steady and settle, unified and still. 175 00:11:39,334 --> 00:11:43,220 Or you should examine the danger in those unwholesome motives… 176 00:11:43,220 --> 00:11:47,196 So you might think you want something or you are trying to get rid of something 177 00:11:47,196 --> 00:11:49,885 what does that do to your mind 178 00:11:49,885 --> 00:11:53,549 that is an example of Ajahn Chah's 179 00:11:53,549 --> 00:11:57,265 It's not the sound disturb you it's you who disturb the sound 180 00:11:57,265 --> 00:12:02,002 because if you have what you think is a loud sound 181 00:12:02,002 --> 00:12:06,781 and you start to worry about who did that, why did they do that 182 00:12:06,781 --> 00:12:10,819 it may just be that somebody slammed the door 183 00:12:10,819 --> 00:12:13,450 and the danger in that 184 00:12:13,450 --> 00:12:17,055 thinking about those unwholesome states is long after the sound 185 00:12:17,055 --> 00:12:19,006 from the slamming door has subsided 186 00:12:19,006 --> 00:12:22,480 you are still thinking about it. 187 00:12:22,480 --> 00:12:26,041 So the danger is that sounds stop pretty quickly 188 00:12:26,041 --> 00:12:29,935 but the echo in your head goes on for ever and ever. 189 00:12:29,935 --> 00:12:32,156 So that's the danger in those unwholesome motives. 190 00:12:32,156 --> 00:12:36,380 You can't sort of go back in time and stop that banging door 191 00:12:36,380 --> 00:12:39,253 but you can cease is the thinking about it, dwelling upon it 192 00:12:39,253 --> 00:12:44,556 is very very dangerous takes you away from happiness. 193 00:12:44,556 --> 00:12:47,033 You should try to ignore those unwholesome motives 194 00:12:47,033 --> 00:12:48,924 and do not give attention to them 195 00:12:48,924 --> 00:12:52,667 That is you will find a simile which I developed 196 00:12:52,667 --> 00:12:58,415 if there is a sound or there is when you meditating 197 00:12:58,415 --> 00:13:00,824 you are thinking you haven't had dinner tonight yet 198 00:13:00,824 --> 00:13:04,830 and somebody's going to take you out to your favourite restaurant tonight 199 00:13:04,830 --> 00:13:07,166 you start thinking about the dinner 200 00:13:07,166 --> 00:13:09,806 when any distracting thought comes up 201 00:13:09,806 --> 00:13:14,506 you can use a simile of the TV screen. 202 00:13:14,506 --> 00:13:17,270 I travel a lot on air crafts 203 00:13:17,270 --> 00:13:19,757 and when you look at the safety demonstration which 204 00:13:19,757 --> 00:13:21,718 comes in front of the screen 205 00:13:21,718 --> 00:13:23,949 there is something I noticed a long time ago 206 00:13:23,949 --> 00:13:26,447 doesn't matter how big or small that screen is 207 00:13:26,447 --> 00:13:32,097 after a little while your mind actually fits into the screen 208 00:13:32,097 --> 00:13:36,287 you may be looking at that in that big piece of canvass there 209 00:13:36,287 --> 00:13:39,137 and your mind just fits right into the canvass 210 00:13:39,137 --> 00:13:42,919 so much so you can't see what's above, below, left or right of it 211 00:13:42,919 --> 00:13:44,304 until I point that out. 212 00:13:44,304 --> 00:13:50,645 When I look at the same teachings on the screen of this little tablet 213 00:13:50,645 --> 00:13:54,218 again my mind fits into it and I don't see 214 00:13:54,218 --> 00:13:58,580 I can now see the bell to my right, see the clock to my left 215 00:13:58,580 --> 00:14:02,352 but after awhile you go right into it and you can't see the edges. 216 00:14:02,352 --> 00:14:06,301 Now understanding the what is in the centre of your field of attention remains, 217 00:14:06,301 --> 00:14:10,286 what's in the edges eventually falls away 218 00:14:10,286 --> 00:14:13,149 just like zooming in on Google Earth 219 00:14:13,149 --> 00:14:16,279 It's the same with by putting attention 220 00:14:16,279 --> 00:14:19,080 ignore the unwholesome motives do not give attention to them 221 00:14:19,080 --> 00:14:24,025 Do not put them in the centre of your screen of attention 222 00:14:24,025 --> 00:14:27,274 So put something more wholesome in the centre 223 00:14:27,274 --> 00:14:30,912 like you are watching your breath and somebody makes a noise 224 00:14:30,912 --> 00:14:35,071 or there is the sound of the siren or somebody revving up a motorbike 225 00:14:35,071 --> 00:14:38,812 for goodness sake don't put that in the centre 226 00:14:38,812 --> 00:14:43,021 in other words take the attention, the primary attention away 227 00:14:43,021 --> 00:14:46,031 from that disturbing, distracting sound or thought 228 00:14:46,031 --> 00:14:50,371 and put the centre on the main object 229 00:14:50,371 --> 00:14:54,119 so that's called like ignoring it not giving it attention 230 00:14:54,119 --> 00:14:56,847 not giving it primacy in the mind. 231 00:14:56,847 --> 00:15:01,131 it literary is background noise, but you don't pay attention to it. 232 00:15:01,131 --> 00:15:06,002 and after a small while the background noise fades away. 233 00:15:06,002 --> 00:15:09,993 Or you should give attention to stilling the causes of those motives 234 00:15:09,993 --> 00:15:14,302 why do you want something why we got ill-will 235 00:15:14,302 --> 00:15:16,424 why is that happening 236 00:15:16,424 --> 00:15:19,649 and there is one reason which I have noticed 237 00:15:19,649 --> 00:15:23,023 that people are afraid of stillness and peace. 238 00:15:23,023 --> 00:15:26,283 I have seen that Years and years and years ago 239 00:15:26,283 --> 00:15:29,799 whenever we would go to very quiet place 240 00:15:29,799 --> 00:15:32,164 just like Bodhinyana monastery 241 00:15:32,164 --> 00:15:34,504 And some visitors as soon as they go there 242 00:15:34,504 --> 00:15:37,234 so quite they would raise their voices 243 00:15:37,234 --> 00:15:40,234 they would shout louder than was necessary 244 00:15:40,234 --> 00:15:44,795 I couldn't figure that out psychologically until I realized that the silence 245 00:15:44,795 --> 00:15:46,916 threatened them. 246 00:15:46,916 --> 00:15:49,873 They had to raise their voices to destroy something 247 00:15:49,873 --> 00:15:52,064 they weren't familiar with-- 248 00:15:52,064 --> 00:15:55,704 the peace and quiet of an Australian forest. 249 00:15:55,704 --> 00:15:58,214 So what are the causes, 250 00:15:58,214 --> 00:16:03,429 When you are in meditation and a thought disappear 251 00:16:03,429 --> 00:16:06,065 why is that thoughts come up again? 252 00:16:06,065 --> 00:16:10,315 I always considered that thoughts just came into my mind from nowhere 253 00:16:10,315 --> 00:16:12,968 and they were stray thoughts 254 00:16:12,968 --> 00:16:17,188 until when my meditation got much stronger, my mindfulness more sharp 255 00:16:17,188 --> 00:16:22,634 I realized no no no I went out to look for those thoughts 256 00:16:22,634 --> 00:16:24,644 something to disturb myself. 257 00:16:24,644 --> 00:16:29,306 And of course that was the same as when you are at home, you have nothing to do 258 00:16:29,306 --> 00:16:33,176 so you flip through the TV channels 259 00:16:33,176 --> 00:16:36,056 you flip through the TV channels you don't really want to watch something 260 00:16:36,056 --> 00:16:37,516 you just want to distract yourself 261 00:16:37,516 --> 00:16:39,872 because people today is 262 00:16:39,872 --> 00:16:45,827 people do not know how to deal with resting, silence, doing nothing 263 00:16:45,827 --> 00:16:48,611 or you look in the refrigerator; you had enough to eat 264 00:16:48,611 --> 00:16:50,371 you want to get something to eat. 265 00:16:50,371 --> 00:16:53,500 and in the refrigerator, things are falling out of the refrigerator 266 00:16:53,500 --> 00:16:56,889 but ah! there is nothing to eat in the refrigerator. 267 00:16:56,889 --> 00:17:00,098 It's just distraction; wanting something to do, 268 00:17:00,098 --> 00:17:03,598 because doing nothing challenges us. 269 00:17:03,598 --> 00:17:08,168 literally challenges our very idea of who we are 270 00:17:08,168 --> 00:17:11,415 So stilling the causes of those things. 271 00:17:11,415 --> 00:17:15,198 And of course the last thing is causes of some of these unwholesome thoughts; 272 00:17:15,198 --> 00:17:18,664 anything to do because 273 00:17:18,664 --> 00:17:24,472 again we are uncomfortable with silence. It's mostly fear. 274 00:17:24,472 --> 00:17:27,049 and exactly the same fear, 275 00:17:27,049 --> 00:17:31,195 the best example which you can relate to; sort of 276 00:17:31,195 --> 00:17:34,915 is a prisoner who has been in jail for many years. 277 00:17:34,915 --> 00:17:38,421 now he or she is being released from jail 278 00:17:38,421 --> 00:17:43,363 and they are very very uncomfortable in freedom, 279 00:17:43,363 --> 00:17:48,285 they've got used to being enclosed, being told what to do 280 00:17:48,285 --> 00:17:50,238 being in prison. 281 00:17:50,238 --> 00:17:54,044 And the idea of being free is a challenge to them. 282 00:17:54,044 --> 00:18:00,256 So many of the causes of unskillful acts and thoughts 283 00:18:00,256 --> 00:18:03,314 and the motives behind them often comes from the fears; 284 00:18:03,314 --> 00:18:06,026 so look at what the fear is 285 00:18:06,026 --> 00:18:08,395 find the causes for these things 286 00:18:08,395 --> 00:18:15,094 and then the unwholesome things, the irritating things can disappear. 287 00:18:15,094 --> 00:18:21,479 And the last is, the very last resort is you should, for example 288 00:18:21,479 --> 00:18:25,125 if you get so fed-up with Ajahn Brahm's jokes; you think 289 00:18:25,125 --> 00:18:28,410 Ah I am going to get a chain-saw and cut off his head. 290 00:18:28,410 --> 00:18:32,477 If it's a very very bad thought a very bad motive 291 00:18:32,477 --> 00:18:33,997 the last resort 292 00:18:33,997 --> 00:18:36,914 clench your teeth with your tongue pressed against the roof of your mouth, 293 00:18:36,914 --> 00:18:42,547 and beat down, constrain and crush any such afflicting unwholesome motives. 294 00:18:42,547 --> 00:18:49,036 So use a little bit of force but only if it's going to be the last resort. 295 00:18:49,036 --> 00:18:52,871 But anyway with the disappearance of these unwholesome motives of 296 00:18:52,871 --> 00:18:57,097 greed, hate and delusion; wanting, aversion, delution 297 00:18:57,097 --> 00:19:03,116 then your mind become internally steady, settled unified and still. 298 00:19:03,116 --> 00:19:09,164 So this is how one can overcome unwholesome things 299 00:19:09,164 --> 00:19:14,240 This is restrain first of all and then abandoning, the second one 300 00:19:14,263 --> 00:19:19,416 yes, the one next to you John 301 00:19:19,416 --> 00:19:25,201 Question--Ajahn you said that we invite the thoughts in 302 00:19:25,201 --> 00:19:29,293 but I don't think that's always the case sometimes thoughts come when we 303 00:19:29,293 --> 00:19:32,021 really wouldn't like them to be there. 304 00:19:32,021 --> 00:19:37,432 Ajahn: Ahh...is that the case? that's what I also thought 305 00:19:37,432 --> 00:19:40,811 but why would they come in? 306 00:19:40,811 --> 00:19:45,612 if you could; where you live if people just come into your house 307 00:19:45,612 --> 00:19:49,284 you got to open the door for them first of all 308 00:19:49,284 --> 00:19:53,041 it's a weird thing but it is the case 309 00:19:53,041 --> 00:19:58,252 that these thoughts only come in when you are a little bit bored 310 00:19:58,252 --> 00:20:04,041 not content, and they come in and basically before you even see it 311 00:20:04,041 --> 00:20:07,766 you go out there to grab a thought 312 00:20:07,766 --> 00:20:11,043 otherwise just why is it that we go off into future plans 313 00:20:11,043 --> 00:20:14,005 which we know will never happen. 314 00:20:14,005 --> 00:20:17,483 or what you're going to do when you win the lottery 315 00:20:17,483 --> 00:20:19,356 how you are going to spend it 316 00:20:19,356 --> 00:20:21,368 it's not going to happen. 317 00:20:21,368 --> 00:20:23,739 why do we actually do stuff like that 318 00:20:23,739 --> 00:20:27,226 or thinking in the past which we can never ever change 319 00:20:27,226 --> 00:20:31,905 fantasizing, dreaming why do we do such things? 320 00:20:31,905 --> 00:20:35,916 you know that sometimes we look for good thoughts first of all 321 00:20:35,916 --> 00:20:39,776 but when we have gone through our inventory of good thoughts 322 00:20:39,776 --> 00:20:41,841 then any thought would do. 323 00:20:41,841 --> 00:20:45,828 Anything to distract us 324 00:20:45,828 --> 00:20:50,042 It's a weird thing but people like being distracted 325 00:20:50,042 --> 00:20:51,595 why? 326 00:20:51,595 --> 00:20:57,165 because it's a discomfort, a fear of being still 327 00:20:57,165 --> 00:21:01,185 and where that comes from, the underlying reason 328 00:21:01,185 --> 00:21:05,823 is because it challenges our very existence. 329 00:21:05,823 --> 00:21:11,706 we define ourselves by not who we are, but by what we do 330 00:21:11,706 --> 00:21:14,198 I am a monk, I am a meditator, 331 00:21:14,198 --> 00:21:20,149 I am a doctor, I am a ... whatever else I am retired 332 00:21:20,149 --> 00:21:23,820 it's what you do; your acts define you. 333 00:21:23,843 --> 00:21:28,229 and if did absolutely nothing; your very sense of being 334 00:21:28,229 --> 00:21:32,503 will actually start to vanish away. 335 00:21:32,503 --> 00:21:35,088 to do, sorry to be 336 00:21:35,088 --> 00:21:38,279 even actually as a doctor or a medic; 337 00:21:38,279 --> 00:21:42,073 if somebody is lying on the floor 338 00:21:42,073 --> 00:21:48,030 to find out if they are alive or dead; you see if they do anything. 339 00:21:48,030 --> 00:21:50,160 If their heart is doing anything 340 00:21:50,160 --> 00:21:52,632 you shout at them to see whether there is any response. 341 00:21:52,632 --> 00:21:55,828 you shine a light in their eyes if that does anything 342 00:21:55,828 --> 00:21:58,929 If they don't do anything, then we assume 343 00:21:58,929 --> 00:22:03,965 they are not there, they are dead, they are gone. 344 00:22:03,965 --> 00:22:08,585 So this is just an example of the very essential connection 345 00:22:08,585 --> 00:22:14,824 between doing something and existing. 346 00:22:14,824 --> 00:22:20,261 You look at a stone outside or you look at a log, you might kick it 347 00:22:20,261 --> 00:22:25,202 if it bites back, you know it wasn't a log, it was a snake. 348 00:22:25,202 --> 00:22:29,227 But if it just sites there does nothing, if it does nothing 349 00:22:29,227 --> 00:22:33,838 it doesn't exist. No sense of a being. 350 00:22:33,838 --> 00:22:38,411 So when you do nothing when you are getting still 351 00:22:38,411 --> 00:22:41,592 sometimes the mind is not happy with that 352 00:22:41,592 --> 00:22:48,137 old habits, you have to do something. 353 00:22:48,137 --> 00:22:52,102 Does that make sense? yeah 354 00:22:52,102 --> 00:22:57,575 Question-yes it does but I still refer back to myself that 355 00:22:57,575 --> 00:23:02,774 somethings that come in you don't never ever let them in 356 00:23:02,774 --> 00:23:04,353 but they still come. 357 00:23:04,353 --> 00:23:05,544 Ajahn-they come in. 358 00:23:05,544 --> 00:23:09,434 basically you do let them in otherwise they wouldn't come in at all 359 00:23:09,434 --> 00:23:13,804 and they won't... sometimes stupid things come in 360 00:23:13,804 --> 00:23:17,649 and you see afterwards it's because if you really really content 361 00:23:17,649 --> 00:23:22,865 very very peaceful, then there is no way they can come in 362 00:23:22,865 --> 00:23:28,416 It is a fact that, you see that; you are leaving openings up 363 00:23:28,416 --> 00:23:32,116 hoping something would come into distract you. 364 00:23:32,116 --> 00:23:36,212 It's not that these things come in by themselves; 365 00:23:36,212 --> 00:23:38,503 we go looking for them, searching for them, 366 00:23:38,503 --> 00:23:42,348 pulling from anywhere, anything just to distract us. 367 00:23:42,348 --> 00:23:44,984 It's the same with like dramas as well 368 00:23:44,984 --> 00:23:50,301 why do people always have dramas in their lives, 369 00:23:50,301 --> 00:23:54,575 in their monasteries, in their homes 370 00:23:54,575 --> 00:23:56,295 because people actually love dramas. 371 00:23:56,295 --> 00:23:58,788 If they don't get enough dramas in their real life 372 00:23:58,788 --> 00:24:02,119 they go on the TV and get dramas from TV somewhere 373 00:24:02,119 --> 00:24:05,126 something to worry about 374 00:24:05,126 --> 00:24:08,855 because to worry is another form of existing, being 375 00:24:08,855 --> 00:24:12,397 worrying about the football match 376 00:24:12,397 --> 00:24:19,258 why are you doing that for? something to do. 377 00:24:19,258 --> 00:24:24,913 Anyway yes, young lady 378 00:24:24,913 --> 00:24:27,867 Question-I was just thinking about what good point, 379 00:24:27,867 --> 00:24:31,874 it challenges your existence because people say 380 00:24:31,874 --> 00:24:34,777 you might as well be dead if you got to just sit there 381 00:24:34,777 --> 00:24:39,027 doing nothing, not interested in anything, you might as well be dead 382 00:24:39,027 --> 00:24:42,090 or why you are putting your head in the sand what for. 383 00:24:42,090 --> 00:24:44,410 so really that answers it; doesn't it 384 00:24:44,410 --> 00:24:47,400 You are challenging your existence. 385 00:24:47,400 --> 00:24:50,565 Ajahn: Exactly 386 00:24:50,565 --> 00:24:58,928 So it's a tough one but that's the core of all this. 387 00:24:58,928 --> 00:25:00,688 who you think you are. 388 00:25:00,688 --> 00:25:03,898 That's also why sometimes these people 389 00:25:03,898 --> 00:25:06,558 who have been there done that, so wealthy; 390 00:25:06,558 --> 00:25:10,848 they can't just disappear. 391 00:25:10,848 --> 00:25:14,229 Old Prime Ministers had to say something to get on the news 392 00:25:14,229 --> 00:25:15,802 stir things up. 393 00:25:15,802 --> 00:25:19,322 They can't just disappear gracefully because if they disappear gracefully 394 00:25:19,322 --> 00:25:22,190 you know their.... 395 00:25:22,190 --> 00:25:29,091 Tony Abbot should disappear his whole identity is gone. 396 00:25:29,091 --> 00:25:33,751 That's why he just can't go quietly. impossible. 397 00:25:33,751 --> 00:25:39,378 Anyway; that's one of the second of the endeavours. 398 00:25:39,378 --> 00:25:41,421 Going somewhere 399 00:25:41,421 --> 00:25:44,191 The next is the endeavour to develop 400 00:25:44,191 --> 00:25:47,841 So restrain things which haven't come up yet. 401 00:25:47,841 --> 00:25:50,832 abandon things which are already in the mind 402 00:25:50,832 --> 00:25:52,641 and actually develop good qualities. 403 00:25:52,641 --> 00:25:55,718 Now these aren't separate because one of the best ways 404 00:25:55,718 --> 00:26:00,905 to develop, to overcome what they call like unwholesome qualities 405 00:26:00,905 --> 00:26:03,043 is to develop good ones. 406 00:26:03,043 --> 00:26:06,855 One of the best ways to stop buglers coming into your house 407 00:26:06,855 --> 00:26:09,845 is to have all your friends in your house 408 00:26:09,845 --> 00:26:11,633 When you have lots and lots of good people in your house 409 00:26:11,633 --> 00:26:14,775 Then buglers don't; good people are there so they won't come in 410 00:26:14,918 --> 00:26:20,468 So developing and maintaining good states is also fulfills the 411 00:26:20,468 --> 00:26:25,868 first two endeavours as well restraining and abandoning 412 00:26:25,868 --> 00:26:28,116 so what is the endeavour to develop 413 00:26:28,116 --> 00:26:31,799 they don't actually say much what the endeavour actually is 414 00:26:31,799 --> 00:26:34,714 except the sort of things you should develop 415 00:26:34,714 --> 00:26:37,662 develop mindfulness exploring the Dhamma 416 00:26:37,662 --> 00:26:42,989 These are the Seven Enlightenment Factors 417 00:26:42,989 --> 00:26:47,808 instead of investigating the Dhamma or contemplating the Dhamma 418 00:26:47,839 --> 00:26:51,106 have you got the same translation here because this is a newer one 419 00:26:51,106 --> 00:26:55,019 than that one. there may be a few little changes. 420 00:26:55,019 --> 00:26:58,781 Exploring the Dhamma instead of investigating the Dhamma 421 00:26:58,781 --> 00:27:02,464 this is that old little simile I usually use a bottle of water 422 00:27:02,464 --> 00:27:05,344 I have done it many times hear I think even recently 423 00:27:05,344 --> 00:27:07,822 What is this I am holding up? 424 00:27:07,822 --> 00:27:10,020 and people say bottle of water, 425 00:27:10,020 --> 00:27:12,822 what else do you see? It's plastic 426 00:27:12,822 --> 00:27:15,801 What else do you see? What else do you see? 427 00:27:15,801 --> 00:27:18,261 That is actually exploring going into it until 428 00:27:18,261 --> 00:27:21,188 you have already used up all the words and the labels 429 00:27:21,188 --> 00:27:22,918 you have been taught before, 430 00:27:22,918 --> 00:27:25,278 so you can actually go beyond what you've been taught 431 00:27:25,278 --> 00:27:28,172 and really getting into it exploration. 432 00:27:28,172 --> 00:27:32,780 Contemplating is always thinking about it this way and that way 433 00:27:32,780 --> 00:27:37,212 It's going beyond the thought process, beyond the naming 434 00:27:37,212 --> 00:27:40,016 into something which is much deeper you explore it 435 00:27:40,016 --> 00:27:44,974 you allow the mind to go to places it hasn't been before 436 00:27:44,974 --> 00:27:49,972 Or like I said in England recently remembering the time I used to 437 00:27:49,972 --> 00:27:52,745 watch Star Trek as a young man 438 00:27:52,745 --> 00:27:58,929 That was when Mr. Spock did have pointy years 439 00:27:58,929 --> 00:28:02,709 Apparently it still goes on these days Star Trek, different people 440 00:28:02,709 --> 00:28:07,228 but anyway; They used to say boldly go where no man has been before. 441 00:28:07,228 --> 00:28:08,615 And I adapted that to 442 00:28:08,615 --> 00:28:13,147 (Ajahn touching his bald head) baldly go where no monk has gone before 443 00:28:13,147 --> 00:28:16,099 And this is what exploration is 444 00:28:16,099 --> 00:28:19,436 you know not going to old places you looked up before but 445 00:28:19,436 --> 00:28:23,703 going deeper, exploring the Dhamma 446 00:28:23,703 --> 00:28:26,985 And the Enlightenment Factor of Energy 447 00:28:26,985 --> 00:28:30,124 Now both those two I think I mentioned before 448 00:28:30,124 --> 00:28:32,584 they actually work, no all those three 449 00:28:32,584 --> 00:28:36,300 they all work together when you are aware, really aware 450 00:28:36,300 --> 00:28:40,666 takes a lot of mindfulness to be able to see things you have 451 00:28:40,666 --> 00:28:43,960 never seen in this before (Ajahn looking closely at the bottle) 452 00:28:43,960 --> 00:28:48,258 You explore it and it gives you energy, that's actually really interesting 453 00:28:48,258 --> 00:28:53,536 And also because of the stillness your mental energy increases 454 00:28:53,536 --> 00:28:56,707 So whenever you develop these things 455 00:28:56,707 --> 00:28:58,766 they develop all together 456 00:28:58,766 --> 00:29:02,386 starting with mindfulness, exploration, energy comes up 457 00:29:02,386 --> 00:29:05,051 more powerful your mindfulness is 458 00:29:05,051 --> 00:29:12,254 Rapture, the pleasure and this is an important thing which 459 00:29:12,254 --> 00:29:16,898 in Buddhism as it was in the very beginning 460 00:29:16,898 --> 00:29:20,606 we actually develop joy we develop happiness 461 00:29:20,606 --> 00:29:22,958 we don't try and get rid of it 462 00:29:22,958 --> 00:29:25,760 as if like being happy is a big sin 463 00:29:25,760 --> 00:29:29,147 you are not supposed to be happy when other people are suffering 464 00:29:29,147 --> 00:29:31,942 you are supposed to suffer in this world 465 00:29:31,942 --> 00:29:37,243 And of course that is just so even against Buddhism 466 00:29:37,243 --> 00:29:40,999 Some people even say if you are happy be careful you get attached to it. 467 00:29:40,999 --> 00:29:44,088 And oh my goodness that's what you are supposed to do 468 00:29:44,088 --> 00:29:49,858 So here you develop the Rapture, the pīti, the joy, the happiness. 469 00:29:49,858 --> 00:29:53,949 The Enlightenment Factor of Tranquility 470 00:29:53,949 --> 00:29:58,629 you don't think that being still or being tranquil is you are dead 471 00:29:58,629 --> 00:30:01,874 like you were saying Barbara 472 00:30:01,874 --> 00:30:08,971 It's not being dead, it's being actually more alive than you've ever been before. 473 00:30:08,971 --> 00:30:14,931 And of course stillness; the Samadhi and Equanimity 474 00:30:14,931 --> 00:30:20,196 Every one which is based upon seclusion (physical and mental), 475 00:30:20,196 --> 00:30:25,209 in other words to develop these Seven Enlightenment Factors 476 00:30:25,209 --> 00:30:30,772 we are basing this on being by oneself reasonably physically 477 00:30:30,772 --> 00:30:36,237 If you can't do that in your rooms, in monasteries or in Retreat Centres 478 00:30:36,237 --> 00:30:39,962 you can at least build a bubble around yourself which I often do because 479 00:30:39,962 --> 00:30:43,473 I travel around a lot with many many people 480 00:30:43,473 --> 00:30:46,719 Just my cave which I carry around with me 481 00:30:46,719 --> 00:30:48,853 this imaginary bubble around you, 482 00:30:48,853 --> 00:30:52,975 and you are sitting inside and people and noise and things are outside 483 00:30:52,975 --> 00:30:58,054 when I want to disengage that's what I really develop over the years. 484 00:30:58,054 --> 00:31:00,008 physical, mental seclusion 485 00:31:00,008 --> 00:31:05,795 things fading away; past and future thoughts all fading away and ceasing 486 00:31:05,795 --> 00:31:08,274 maturing in the mind's release. 487 00:31:08,274 --> 00:31:11,674 Those are Seven Enlightenment Factors 488 00:31:11,674 --> 00:31:15,709 And if you want to know Buddhism in brief or meditation in brief 489 00:31:15,709 --> 00:31:21,184 it is to develop these seven and to overcome their antithesis 490 00:31:21,184 --> 00:31:24,814 their opposite which is the five hindrances. 491 00:31:24,814 --> 00:31:29,516 That's basically Buddhism is all about. 492 00:31:29,516 --> 00:31:34,958 Do you want to get the microphone? 493 00:31:34,958 --> 00:31:39,558 Question: Could you please define the factor of energy a little bit more 494 00:31:39,558 --> 00:31:41,147 Ajahn--Energy oh yeah 495 00:31:41,147 --> 00:31:44,413 There is the energy you get from a cup of coffee 496 00:31:44,413 --> 00:31:47,236 There is energy which you get when you got a goal 497 00:31:47,236 --> 00:31:49,077 you are trying to reach. 498 00:31:49,077 --> 00:31:52,287 And you are really striving and you go for it 499 00:31:52,287 --> 00:31:57,587 But those are all energies which actually are boring energy 500 00:31:57,587 --> 00:32:00,696 you pay for that afterwards with oh..(Ajahn showing a tired face) 501 00:32:00,696 --> 00:32:04,696 you are really tired and lacking energy 502 00:32:04,696 --> 00:32:08,047 The other energy which this is talking about here 503 00:32:08,047 --> 00:32:13,055 is the energy which does come from developing mindfulness and stillness 504 00:32:13,055 --> 00:32:18,147 It is what happens when people meditate and just becomes still 505 00:32:18,147 --> 00:32:26,297 it is the observation, the understanding that when you do become still 506 00:32:26,297 --> 00:32:28,519 you don't do very much 507 00:32:28,519 --> 00:32:32,976 You are sitting still, you are not thinking about the past and the future. 508 00:32:32,976 --> 00:32:38,748 you are not fantasizing, you are actually... you are not wasting energy 509 00:32:38,748 --> 00:32:43,310 and just like the metabolism in your bodies, always creating energy 510 00:32:43,310 --> 00:32:47,966 your mind creates energy all the time, its wasted very very quickly 511 00:32:47,966 --> 00:32:50,265 by thinking, worrying, planning 512 00:32:50,265 --> 00:32:55,320 But imagine you stop all of that energy being wasted 513 00:32:55,320 --> 00:32:58,419 you aren't thinking about anything 514 00:32:58,419 --> 00:33:03,863 totally in this moment. Silent, preserving that energy 515 00:33:03,863 --> 00:33:10,468 it's like getting your weakly payments from the government or from your job 516 00:33:10,468 --> 00:33:15,669 you don't pay a cent, the money accumulates and accumulates and accumulates 517 00:33:15,679 --> 00:33:18,639 that's what happens with the energy when you are still, 518 00:33:18,639 --> 00:33:21,300 when you are not wasting it, you are not spending energy. 519 00:33:21,300 --> 00:33:24,319 It accumulates and get stronger and stronger 520 00:33:24,319 --> 00:33:26,293 it feeds into mindfulness 521 00:33:26,293 --> 00:33:29,450 then your mindfulness really starts energizing 522 00:33:29,450 --> 00:33:35,523 waking up and a sign of that that energy which comes up 523 00:33:35,523 --> 00:33:38,554 is that after good meditation 524 00:33:38,554 --> 00:33:42,493 it's like you can run a 100 meters faster than Usain Bolt 525 00:33:42,493 --> 00:33:45,621 Everything you see is brilliant and beautiful 526 00:33:45,621 --> 00:33:49,721 Your mindfulness is empowered 527 00:33:49,721 --> 00:33:55,228 That's why even people like Eckhart Tolle - the Power of Now 528 00:33:55,228 --> 00:33:58,112 what it was is the power of mindfulness and being in this moment 529 00:33:58,112 --> 00:34:00,649 not wasting any energy. 530 00:34:00,649 --> 00:34:05,571 And as you really wake up you are energized, you are happy Wow 531 00:34:05,654 --> 00:34:12,150 energy and happiness go together 532 00:34:12,150 --> 00:34:15,723 Question: Can I then ask when it builds up and becomes 533 00:34:15,723 --> 00:34:22,408 a lot stronger, what if you needs to release or some kind. 534 00:34:22,408 --> 00:34:26,495 Ajahn: why release if you got millions and millions of dollars 535 00:34:26,495 --> 00:34:28,261 just keep it there 536 00:34:28,261 --> 00:34:32,311 you will find some natural ways of using it later on 537 00:34:32,311 --> 00:34:35,138 but if it's in the body; if it stays in the body 538 00:34:35,138 --> 00:34:37,517 then actually you might need to release of it 539 00:34:37,517 --> 00:34:41,156 because it's uncomfortable there. 540 00:34:41,156 --> 00:34:46,176 But if it stays in the mind it can be as powerful as you want. 541 00:34:46,176 --> 00:34:48,928 you get incredible powerful mind-states. 542 00:34:48,928 --> 00:34:51,603 So that energy which I am talking about comes from stillness 543 00:34:51,603 --> 00:34:55,707 yeah it can be a physical energy but really it doesn't belong in the body 544 00:34:55,707 --> 00:34:57,934 it belongs in the mind. 545 00:34:57,934 --> 00:35:02,031 That's when people get what we call the Kundalini stuff 546 00:35:02,031 --> 00:35:06,859 powerful forces in the body but it's not pleasant 547 00:35:06,859 --> 00:35:09,926 powerful but it's much better to use that energy in the mind 548 00:35:09,926 --> 00:35:14,374 where it really is much more useful and where it belongs. 549 00:35:14,374 --> 00:35:18,133 Question: So you can use it perhaps to either heal yourself or heal 550 00:35:18,133 --> 00:35:21,503 Ajahn: it's much better, 551 00:35:21,503 --> 00:35:25,494 much greater healings come when you are not aware of your body 552 00:35:25,494 --> 00:35:28,726 If you just go into the realm of the mind deep meditations 553 00:35:28,726 --> 00:35:31,424 and amazing things happen 554 00:35:31,424 --> 00:35:35,535 It's just well-known that if you have any fevers or sicknesses 555 00:35:35,535 --> 00:35:40,757 and you go and try and sap them with loving kindness or with energy 556 00:35:40,757 --> 00:35:43,565 while you are still aware of the body yes, it does have an effect 557 00:35:43,565 --> 00:35:47,562 But nothing like when the body totally vanishes and disappears 558 00:35:47,562 --> 00:35:50,433 and you are in that sixth sense, very powerful mindful 559 00:35:50,433 --> 00:35:51,695 enjoying yourself, 560 00:35:51,695 --> 00:35:54,011 totally unaware of the body. 561 00:35:54,011 --> 00:35:57,520 and when you come out afterwards body is just incredible 562 00:35:57,520 --> 00:35:59,295 You know it's like I am getting old now 563 00:35:59,295 --> 00:36:03,536 sometimes while I am meditate for an hour or two just the knees ache 564 00:36:03,536 --> 00:36:06,470 the back aches or something doesn't feel good 565 00:36:06,470 --> 00:36:08,166 I am getting old 566 00:36:08,166 --> 00:36:11,505 but I should not getting old I am old 567 00:36:11,505 --> 00:36:16,046 but if you get into deep meditations you sit there and can sit there for hours 568 00:36:16,046 --> 00:36:18,825 when you come out afterwards nothing is wrong 569 00:36:18,825 --> 00:36:23,194 really feel like you have just had a massage or bath or something 570 00:36:23,194 --> 00:36:26,614 No aches or pains anywhere. 571 00:36:26,614 --> 00:36:29,264 First it didn't make sense to me 572 00:36:29,264 --> 00:36:30,762 why is it you sit for three or four hours; 573 00:36:30,762 --> 00:36:33,447 this is going to hurt when I come out. 574 00:36:33,447 --> 00:36:38,961 But then nothing hurts at all. you feel just so relaxed 575 00:36:38,961 --> 00:36:42,270 So that's one of the things with the stillness; 576 00:36:42,270 --> 00:36:44,270 and with the body and the mind.... 577 00:36:44,270 --> 00:36:46,748 if you let the body go and just go into the mind 578 00:36:46,748 --> 00:36:51,939 For the body, that's the best you can possibly do for your body. 579 00:36:51,939 --> 00:36:57,506 Question: So then the energy of the mind how would you discern? 580 00:36:57,506 --> 00:37:02,083 Discern it? Ah you are really bliss-ed out you are happy 581 00:37:02,083 --> 00:37:05,558 Really great, great happiness 582 00:37:05,558 --> 00:37:09,743 One way.. because the energy and the happiness often go together 583 00:37:09,743 --> 00:37:13,822 That's why people actually take a cup of coffee in the morning or something 584 00:37:13,822 --> 00:37:17,543 then they are not only energized they are pleasant to speak to 585 00:37:17,543 --> 00:37:19,344 they are not so grumpy 586 00:37:19,344 --> 00:37:21,843 As I say most of the anger and grumpiness comes from the 587 00:37:21,843 --> 00:37:26,077 tiredness of the people have in life. They are exhausted. 588 00:37:26,077 --> 00:37:28,526 That's why if you got a Partner please don't talk to them 589 00:37:28,526 --> 00:37:30,264 when they come home late. 590 00:37:30,264 --> 00:37:33,438 just give them a cup of tea or coffee whatever it is 591 00:37:33,438 --> 00:37:35,814 and when that's gone through their system 592 00:37:35,814 --> 00:37:38,913 If they are really sort of tired give them an intravenous 593 00:37:38,913 --> 00:37:41,535 and when they come out afterwards, 594 00:37:41,535 --> 00:37:45,064 then they are human beings again instead of some monster 595 00:37:45,064 --> 00:37:48,524 just tiredness that's all. Exhausted 596 00:37:48,524 --> 00:37:53,931 When you have really had a big great meditation 597 00:37:53,931 --> 00:38:00,116 then ah! nothing will make you upset at all. 598 00:38:00,116 --> 00:38:03,933 That's a sign of energy. 599 00:38:03,933 --> 00:38:09,097 Question: And you can use it in not only for yourself for 600 00:38:09,097 --> 00:38:18,223 other beings, solving problems ; as an example a ball of energy 601 00:38:18,223 --> 00:38:21,876 and you may like to focus that on something 602 00:38:21,876 --> 00:38:28,862 Ajahn: It's a ball of energy but not frantic energy like in sort of coffee high 603 00:38:28,862 --> 00:38:33,602 not like stupid energy, like when people take drugs 604 00:38:33,602 --> 00:38:37,855 natural, beautiful, pure. 605 00:38:37,855 --> 00:38:43,738 OK John had a question first John was next before you Eddy 606 00:38:43,738 --> 00:38:52,577 Question: The Enlightenment Factors Do they get developed after 607 00:38:52,577 --> 00:38:57,276 someone has developed Jhānas or do they start before. 608 00:38:57,276 --> 00:39:02,195 Ajahn: OK this is the same as the Eight-fold Path 609 00:39:02,195 --> 00:39:05,934 the Severn Enlightenment Factors this is what you actually develop 610 00:39:05,934 --> 00:39:07,434 with the Eight-fold Path. 611 00:39:07,434 --> 00:39:11,273 It's just like a parallel way of describing this development. 612 00:39:11,273 --> 00:39:13,299 So you know even for Right View 613 00:39:13,299 --> 00:39:15,549 you got to know what is Right View 614 00:39:15,549 --> 00:39:18,520 you develop some mindfulness, you explore the Dhamma 615 00:39:18,520 --> 00:39:23,049 exploring the Dhamma you get a huge amount of Right View there 616 00:39:23,049 --> 00:39:25,200 and the other factors of the Eight-fold Path 617 00:39:25,200 --> 00:39:28,629 to be actually mindful, the Seventh Factor 618 00:39:28,629 --> 00:39:32,827 mindfulness is not just something which 'I am going to be mindful now' 619 00:39:32,827 --> 00:39:37,708 you develop it, you find its causes and how it gets stronger and stronger and stronger 620 00:39:37,708 --> 00:39:40,421 One of the problems with the mindfulness movement is their definition 621 00:39:40,421 --> 00:39:43,226 is not according to Buddhism. 622 00:39:43,226 --> 00:39:47,055 Because they don't even take any account of just the powerful 623 00:39:47,055 --> 00:39:51,133 mindfulness which you get after some deep meditation 624 00:39:51,133 --> 00:39:53,283 which is really cool. 625 00:39:53,283 --> 00:39:55,861 And of course the stillness there is the Jhānas 626 00:39:55,861 --> 00:39:59,670 and equanimity is just what happens when you get 627 00:39:59,670 --> 00:40:05,672 real right view in the Jhānas nothing bothers you anymore. 628 00:40:05,672 --> 00:40:10,502 So it is a parallel development. 629 00:40:10,502 --> 00:40:14,242 Yes Eddy. 630 00:40:14,242 --> 00:40:16,763 Question: Ajahn Brahm, the way I interpret 631 00:40:16,763 --> 00:40:18,952 this Seven Factors of Enlightenment 632 00:40:18,952 --> 00:40:25,502 is you know like, for me OK like you have the Dhamma 633 00:40:25,502 --> 00:40:29,104 you are reading a book, you feel like a Dhamma book 634 00:40:29,104 --> 00:40:30,834 you feel happy you know, 635 00:40:30,834 --> 00:40:33,474 It's just like when you meet your partner 636 00:40:33,474 --> 00:40:38,194 there is an energy comes in good energy, you become mindful 637 00:40:38,194 --> 00:40:42,513 and all these rapture, tranquility stillness, equanimity 638 00:40:42,513 --> 00:40:46,293 these are all peaceful, happy states that arise. 639 00:40:46,293 --> 00:40:53,865 Because the Buddha breaks down in this .. it happens all in us. 640 00:40:53,865 --> 00:40:59,601 The third to the seventh one it's the happiness and peace 641 00:40:59,601 --> 00:41:02,781 when you are reading a book that come with the Dhamma 642 00:41:02,781 --> 00:41:04,976 You see what I mean? 643 00:41:04,976 --> 00:41:09,549 Ajahn: I see; but it doesn't take to account that every one of these .. 644 00:41:09,549 --> 00:41:13,483 is based upon seclusion, physical and mental 645 00:41:13,483 --> 00:41:18,744 your eyes are shut, you are not reading a book or anything. 646 00:41:18,744 --> 00:41:23,692 and things fading away cessation maturing in release. 647 00:41:23,692 --> 00:41:30,715 So the full meaning of that is when you are meditating 648 00:41:30,715 --> 00:41:33,196 nothing in front of you. 649 00:41:33,196 --> 00:41:39,876 That's when you get really full Seven Factors of Enlightenment. 650 00:41:39,876 --> 00:41:41,506 But anyway; 651 00:41:41,506 --> 00:41:44,143 because that's why 652 00:41:44,143 --> 00:41:50,746 these ones if you actually have it in the Suttas as is usually translated 653 00:41:50,746 --> 00:41:52,826 they have this last phrase; 654 00:41:52,826 --> 00:41:55,976 every one of which is based upon seclusion (physical and mental), fading away, 655 00:41:55,976 --> 00:41:57,816 and cessation, maturing in release. 656 00:41:57,816 --> 00:42:02,791 They have that after every one, just to make the point that even if it is 657 00:42:02,791 --> 00:42:07,050 exploring the Dhamma; it's exploring the Dhamma based on seclusion, fading away 658 00:42:07,050 --> 00:42:09,868 and cessation, maturing in release. 659 00:42:09,868 --> 00:42:14,097 It is actually reading, if you like the Book of the Heart 660 00:42:14,097 --> 00:42:19,338 and not books like written by monks like Ajahn Brahm 661 00:42:19,338 --> 00:42:23,868 I was always warned of that; writing a book 662 00:42:23,868 --> 00:42:27,887 this was one thing which I heard from a Zen Monk 663 00:42:27,887 --> 00:42:29,965 when I was a lay Buddhist 664 00:42:29,965 --> 00:42:34,533 Never write a book; because anyone who writes a book has to get the 665 00:42:34,533 --> 00:42:37,672 next seven life times as a donkey. 666 00:42:37,672 --> 00:42:41,381 And I have written so many books now; I think I have about .. how many books now 6 or 7 667 00:42:41,381 --> 00:42:44,641 I got about 50 life times as a donkey to get through 668 00:42:44,641 --> 00:42:50,572 (Ajahn Laughs) that's only joking but it was a powerful saying 669 00:42:50,572 --> 00:42:55,755 the books are there actually to show a direction 670 00:42:55,755 --> 00:42:58,245 Anyway let's get on to the next endeavour 671 00:42:58,245 --> 00:43:03,304 This is to develop something; once you've developed it, you got to maintain it 672 00:43:03,304 --> 00:43:05,298 And what is the endeavour to maintain? 673 00:43:05,298 --> 00:43:09,702 Here, you keep in mind an arisen meditation object that generates stillness: 674 00:43:09,826 --> 00:43:12,832 such as recollecting the Buddha, the Dhamma or the Sangha; 675 00:43:12,832 --> 00:43:15,856 or a skeleton; or loving kindness; or the breath; or a nimitta. 676 00:43:15,856 --> 00:43:19,360 This is called the endeavour to maintain. 677 00:43:19,360 --> 00:43:22,129 So this is where you have something good, of course 678 00:43:22,129 --> 00:43:25,596 not everybody has the Buddha, the Dhamma or the Sangha 679 00:43:25,596 --> 00:43:30,528 you choose which one really mean something for you 680 00:43:30,528 --> 00:43:35,308 because it's not just the Buddha statue, it's just what it signifies for you 681 00:43:35,308 --> 00:43:42,178 The Dhamma, what you understand as the Dhamma, whatever creates stillness 682 00:43:42,178 --> 00:43:45,243 the Sangha. Even if it's a skeleton which is quite weird 683 00:43:45,243 --> 00:43:49,157 Why is a skeleton developing stillness 684 00:43:49,157 --> 00:43:52,662 But there are many monks, not just monks; other people do this as well. 685 00:43:52,662 --> 00:43:54,495 which is really quite strange. 686 00:43:54,495 --> 00:43:56,661 They must have been monks in their previous lives 687 00:43:56,661 --> 00:43:58,540 or nuns in the previous lives 688 00:43:58,540 --> 00:44:03,459 Sometimes when they are meditating they can visualize the skeleton of mercy 689 00:44:03,459 --> 00:44:05,891 usually a skull 690 00:44:05,891 --> 00:44:12,129 And people say that's really weird you Buddhists, what do you visualize a skull for 691 00:44:12,129 --> 00:44:15,340 But what actually happens; and this happens to so many people 692 00:44:15,340 --> 00:44:18,011 that a skull comes up in their meditation 693 00:44:18,011 --> 00:44:20,236 it's so easy to focus on 694 00:44:20,236 --> 00:44:23,911 And it becomes just... real skulls are not pure white 695 00:44:23,911 --> 00:44:26,180 they are just a bit off colour. 696 00:44:26,180 --> 00:44:29,534 But they come really beautiful whites whiter than white 697 00:44:29,534 --> 00:44:32,265 and it comes like a Nimitta 698 00:44:32,265 --> 00:44:36,472 Something which they must have been developing in previous times 699 00:44:36,472 --> 00:44:39,544 and it's just a natural remembrance for them 700 00:44:39,544 --> 00:44:41,429 and the skull becomes into a nimitta 701 00:44:41,429 --> 00:44:43,709 and becomes a beautiful thing to do. 702 00:44:43,709 --> 00:44:47,019 The breath or loving kindness or the breath; 703 00:44:47,019 --> 00:44:50,372 the breath is the most common of the meditation objects 704 00:44:50,372 --> 00:44:53,631 I've often said because it is something which you 705 00:44:53,631 --> 00:44:57,212 you knew from the time you were in your mother's womb 706 00:44:57,212 --> 00:45:01,305 or when you were on her chest breast feeding. 707 00:45:01,305 --> 00:45:09,013 It's a rhythm which you can remember as calming, secure, safe 708 00:45:09,013 --> 00:45:12,070 in various earliest times. 709 00:45:12,070 --> 00:45:16,471 And as such it has sort of a remembrance which you 710 00:45:16,471 --> 00:45:20,383 maybe you can't recall consciously 711 00:45:20,383 --> 00:45:24,834 but from deep in your memory bank safety and security a very nice rhythm 712 00:45:24,834 --> 00:45:27,084 to be able to observe. 713 00:45:27,084 --> 00:45:29,987 And also it's what happens when other things disappear 714 00:45:29,987 --> 00:45:35,517 So the breath is a very common thing to maintain in the mind 715 00:45:35,517 --> 00:45:40,325 or a nimitta which is the beautiful light which come up in the mind 716 00:45:40,325 --> 00:45:42,793 and of course to maintain those 717 00:45:42,793 --> 00:45:46,793 the endeavour to maintain those how do you... 718 00:45:46,793 --> 00:45:51,118 you have something like the breath and keep it in mind 719 00:45:51,118 --> 00:45:54,776 and if you try to focus on the breath and hold it 720 00:45:54,776 --> 00:45:58,318 it is always, I told that simile even yesterday afternoon 721 00:45:58,318 --> 00:46:03,476 just holding a glass, you can never maintain that because you get tired 722 00:46:03,476 --> 00:46:04,572 you put it down. 723 00:46:04,572 --> 00:46:10,429 and then it actually stays there; it's very easy to keep things still 724 00:46:10,429 --> 00:46:12,521 like growing a tree 725 00:46:12,521 --> 00:46:17,348 you don't make the tree grow, your job is to push aside or make sure 726 00:46:17,348 --> 00:46:21,247 that there is nothing which damages or destroys that tree. 727 00:46:21,247 --> 00:46:25,506 So really what we are doing here the endeavour to maintain 728 00:46:25,506 --> 00:46:32,338 is letting go of all the obstacles, dangers and stuff which would 729 00:46:32,338 --> 00:46:37,650 destroy the natural growth of your meditation object. 730 00:46:37,650 --> 00:46:42,618 It's not making it develop, it's avoiding everything else 731 00:46:42,618 --> 00:46:45,706 For example, developing the present moment 732 00:46:45,706 --> 00:46:48,817 is not focusing hard on the present moment; 733 00:46:48,817 --> 00:46:50,903 I got to be on the present moment 734 00:46:50,903 --> 00:46:55,131 It's actually avoiding the past and avoiding the future 735 00:46:55,131 --> 00:47:00,289 when those other thing are let go of are warded off 736 00:47:00,289 --> 00:47:03,675 so the present moment is protected from the past and the future 737 00:47:03,675 --> 00:47:06,230 then of course the present moment will develop 738 00:47:06,230 --> 00:47:09,439 That is the endeavour to maintain. 739 00:47:09,439 --> 00:47:13,030 Now restraining and abandoning, developing and maintaining, 740 00:47:13,030 --> 00:47:15,097 These four endeavours were taught by the Buddha. 741 00:47:15,097 --> 00:47:18,710 By these means a diligent meditator in this very life, 742 00:47:18,710 --> 00:47:21,919 can attain the destruction of suffering. 743 00:47:21,919 --> 00:47:25,651 I put that down there because you see by that 744 00:47:25,651 --> 00:47:29,990 Oh!! that's all we need just the six factors of the Eight-fold path 745 00:47:29,990 --> 00:47:31,950 Restraining and abandoning, developing and maintaining, 746 00:47:31,950 --> 00:47:33,796 These four endeavours were taught by the Buddha. 747 00:47:33,796 --> 00:47:36,540 By these means an diligent meditator in this very life, 748 00:47:36,540 --> 00:47:39,043 Can attain the destruction of suffering. 749 00:47:39,043 --> 00:47:45,201 I say this because in the next one they say just by mindfulness you can destroy suffering 750 00:47:45,201 --> 00:47:49,766 Every time I give the precepts when I offer the precepts 751 00:47:49,766 --> 00:47:51,305 We usually chant 752 00:47:51,305 --> 00:47:55,474 Imaani pañca sikkhaa-padaani Siilena sugating yanti 753 00:47:55,474 --> 00:47:59,242 Siilena bhoga-sampadaa. Siilena nibbuting yanti. 754 00:47:59,242 --> 00:48:05,343 That this seela leads to Nibhana Nibbuta--things stopping 755 00:48:05,343 --> 00:48:12,643 Tasmaa siilang visodhaye. So even the seela it is said leads to Enlightenment 756 00:48:12,643 --> 00:48:16,544 but to do the seela, the precepts properly you have to have all the factors 757 00:48:16,544 --> 00:48:17,813 of the Eight-fold path 758 00:48:17,813 --> 00:48:21,664 Even this one over here means all the other factors have to come in. 759 00:48:21,664 --> 00:48:24,402 So it is as if every one of the Eight-fold Path 760 00:48:24,402 --> 00:48:28,384 needs the other ones to be purified to be able to do these things. 761 00:48:28,384 --> 00:48:32,756 So you can't just say one factor is enough, you have to do all the Eight 762 00:48:32,756 --> 00:48:35,394 But just to go back on these ones 763 00:48:35,394 --> 00:48:38,285 you see the big thing which I have done here 764 00:48:38,285 --> 00:48:40,725 which defers from what you had before 765 00:48:40,725 --> 00:48:48,634 instead of Right Effort Right Endeavour, restraining 766 00:48:48,634 --> 00:48:52,612 I even like calling it Right Stopping or Right non-doing 767 00:48:52,612 --> 00:48:55,030 that's very hard 768 00:48:55,030 --> 00:48:58,875 Endeavour to restraint, the endeavour to abandon 769 00:48:58,875 --> 00:49:01,062 endeavour to develop, endeavour to maintain 770 00:49:01,062 --> 00:49:04,998 all based on the letting go stopping and non-doing 771 00:49:04,998 --> 00:49:09,306 Because if you try to do these things you'll find you just get more tensed 772 00:49:09,306 --> 00:49:11,875 and you won't get anywhere 773 00:49:11,875 --> 00:49:15,884 And I'll just go now with this one last little thing 774 00:49:15,884 --> 00:49:18,763 which I was mentioning in England few days ago 775 00:49:18,763 --> 00:49:25,374 That Prof Libet did some marvelous research to show that there is no such thing as 776 00:49:25,374 --> 00:49:29,171 what you consider to be free will. 777 00:49:29,171 --> 00:49:32,228 He did this little experiment (Ajahn bring his hand to shoulder level) 778 00:49:32,228 --> 00:49:37,141 which you were..... he had so many victims or subjects whatever you wish to call them 779 00:49:37,141 --> 00:49:41,602 And they would flex their hands whenever they wanted to 780 00:49:41,602 --> 00:49:46,885 when they decided to flex their hand they pressed a bottom (Ajahn demonstrating) 781 00:49:46,885 --> 00:49:54,254 And he could actually reflex time by pressing the bottom to flexing your hand 782 00:49:54,254 --> 00:49:55,752 so he could actually see 783 00:49:55,752 --> 00:49:59,965 when the person became aware that they decided, they chose to 784 00:49:59,965 --> 00:50:04,128 flex their wrist; to the millisecond 785 00:50:04,128 --> 00:50:06,998 At the same time at a gizmo on the brain 786 00:50:06,998 --> 00:50:10,824 which was recording the readiness potential 787 00:50:10,824 --> 00:50:13,015 parts of the brain lights up 788 00:50:13,015 --> 00:50:15,985 and what he found which is very confronting 789 00:50:15,985 --> 00:50:20,952 was the brain lights up first then the thing which you recognize as 'will' 790 00:50:20,952 --> 00:50:26,365 comes next and then the action follows afterwards 791 00:50:26,365 --> 00:50:31,633 So that which you recognize assume to be 'will' 792 00:50:31,633 --> 00:50:36,289 is not what starts the process 793 00:50:36,289 --> 00:50:39,676 it's not the origin of the event 794 00:50:39,708 --> 00:50:44,243 by the time that you think you willed something 795 00:50:44,243 --> 00:50:47,064 it's already in motion. 796 00:50:47,064 --> 00:50:50,308 The will does not start 797 00:50:50,308 --> 00:50:53,348 something else has made you will.. 798 00:50:53,348 --> 00:50:58,769 but he said after the process (is stopped) is started, 799 00:50:58,769 --> 00:51:01,380 you can interfere and stop it. 800 00:51:01,380 --> 00:51:03,830 He said that can be done. 801 00:51:03,830 --> 00:51:07,409 So in a very wonderful use of the English language 802 00:51:07,409 --> 00:51:10,510 He wrote, with good proof; 803 00:51:10,535 --> 00:51:16,876 "there is no such thing as free will but there is free won't" 804 00:51:16,876 --> 00:51:19,835 restraining, stopping 'No I am not going to do that' 805 00:51:19,835 --> 00:51:25,033 No I am not going to say that No I am not going to act in that way 806 00:51:25,033 --> 00:51:28,255 Question: not audible 807 00:51:28,255 --> 00:51:30,295 Ajahn: It is conditioning 808 00:51:30,295 --> 00:51:36,758 what creates the brain lighting up it's called conditioning, brain washing 809 00:51:36,758 --> 00:51:42,349 brain washing by hypnosis, brain washing by advertising 810 00:51:42,349 --> 00:51:47,568 brain washing by peer pressure 811 00:51:47,568 --> 00:51:53,726 a trigger happens and automatically something comes up and then you will 812 00:51:53,726 --> 00:51:55,346 you think it is your choice 813 00:51:55,346 --> 00:52:01,137 the best example which I ever saw it was really.. I can never forget this 814 00:52:01,137 --> 00:52:03,007 because it really shook me 815 00:52:03,007 --> 00:52:07,587 When I was a student we had Psychic Research Society 816 00:52:07,587 --> 00:52:10,517 Every year we have really cool people coming up 817 00:52:10,517 --> 00:52:12,381 one of them was a witch 818 00:52:12,381 --> 00:52:14,682 Every year a witch will come up I still remember his name 819 00:52:14,682 --> 00:52:17,482 Trevor Ravenscroft he must be dead by now. 820 00:52:17,482 --> 00:52:21,421 What a great name for a witch Trevor Ravenscroft 821 00:52:21,421 --> 00:52:25,130 and he would come up and I remember his lecture 822 00:52:25,130 --> 00:52:28,218 First time I've seen a witch 823 00:52:28,218 --> 00:52:31,084 and he said there are two types of witches in the world 824 00:52:31,084 --> 00:52:33,754 white witches and black witches 825 00:52:33,754 --> 00:52:37,189 black witches; they are the dangerous ones, don't go near those 826 00:52:37,189 --> 00:52:40,794 those are really got to be scary 827 00:52:40,794 --> 00:52:43,980 he said don't worry I am a white witch, so you are safe 828 00:52:43,980 --> 00:52:49,280 And then he would say; you know even black witches say they are white. 829 00:52:49,280 --> 00:52:52,532 and he paused and laughed (Ajahn laughs) 830 00:52:52,532 --> 00:52:54,541 So he is a bit of an entertainer he has obviously done that 831 00:52:54,541 --> 00:52:56,061 a quite a few times 832 00:52:56,061 --> 00:53:00,473 So he hypnotized (no another one was a hypnotist). 833 00:53:00,473 --> 00:53:04,411 The hypnotists asked many people to be hypnotized 834 00:53:04,411 --> 00:53:05,540 it is in the old days 835 00:53:05,540 --> 00:53:07,293 hypnosis has got much better since then; 836 00:53:07,293 --> 00:53:08,653 more people can be hypnotized 837 00:53:08,653 --> 00:53:10,329 in those days only a few 838 00:53:10,329 --> 00:53:13,651 but there was always one student in about 100 people in the audience 839 00:53:13,651 --> 00:53:16,950 there is always one; who get totally hypnotized 840 00:53:16,950 --> 00:53:19,726 and made this stupid things 841 00:53:19,726 --> 00:53:22,896 but the most important part was when the hypnotist said 842 00:53:22,896 --> 00:53:26,289 Later on when I touched my right earlobe 843 00:53:26,289 --> 00:53:28,737 you will stand up and sing the British National Anthem 844 00:53:28,737 --> 00:53:31,292 in full in a loud voice. 845 00:53:31,292 --> 00:53:33,232 What a ridiculous thing to do. 846 00:53:33,232 --> 00:53:36,308 Then of course he took him out of hypnosis sat down in his seat 847 00:53:36,308 --> 00:53:41,346 Did a few other little demonstrations then he touched his right earlobe 848 00:53:41,346 --> 00:53:48,002 And this student in the middle of hauling, I was laughing, wetting my pants almost 849 00:53:48,002 --> 00:53:49,783 because it was so funny 850 00:53:49,783 --> 00:53:53,822 and this fellow he didn't stop he sang the whole British National Anthem 851 00:53:53,822 --> 00:53:57,238 from beginning to end in a loud voice 852 00:53:57,238 --> 00:54:00,183 what a ridiculous thing to do. 853 00:54:00,183 --> 00:54:02,602 But then when we stopped laughing 854 00:54:02,602 --> 00:54:04,103 he asked him why did you do that; 855 00:54:04,103 --> 00:54:06,599 when all these people were laughing at you 856 00:54:06,599 --> 00:54:11,435 And he gave a good reason for it; a logical reason 857 00:54:11,435 --> 00:54:13,375 and that was scary 858 00:54:13,375 --> 00:54:16,813 because it was clear to all of us 859 00:54:16,813 --> 00:54:21,304 for him, even the most ridiculous thing he had done 860 00:54:21,304 --> 00:54:23,434 it was his.. just to say 861 00:54:23,434 --> 00:54:29,456 he could not distinguish that from a freely chosen action. 862 00:54:29,456 --> 00:54:33,855 It appeared same to him although we all knew he was made to do that 863 00:54:33,855 --> 00:54:35,978 by hypnotic suggestion 864 00:54:35,978 --> 00:54:38,558 but he could not distinguish what he was made to do 865 00:54:38,558 --> 00:54:45,396 through hypnosis conditioning to what he assumed to be free will 866 00:54:45,396 --> 00:54:49,409 So how much of your free will is actually yours 867 00:54:49,409 --> 00:54:50,986 how much have you been conditioned 868 00:54:50,986 --> 00:54:55,280 but what you can do is free won't 869 00:54:55,280 --> 00:54:57,774 you can say "no I am not going to do that" 870 00:54:57,774 --> 00:55:02,630 Question; So then let's as a hypothetical look at the fact that 871 00:55:02,630 --> 00:55:09,066 maybe someone who hasn't been conditioned by ... has lived 872 00:55:09,066 --> 00:55:15,009 (I don't know..whatever) and demand is basically claimed 873 00:55:15,009 --> 00:55:17,418 How that affect... 874 00:55:17,418 --> 00:55:20,837 Ajahn: I think that cannot exist because we are all 875 00:55:20,837 --> 00:55:23,786 conditioned by different societies but what it does show you 876 00:55:23,890 --> 00:55:28,330 when you are in a totally society indigenous societies, 877 00:55:28,330 --> 00:55:32,928 without TV, without sort of ... you are conditioned by your own peer pressure. 878 00:55:32,928 --> 00:55:37,799 different conditioning but literary different ways of looking at the world. 879 00:55:37,799 --> 00:55:44,275 I better move on now because that's the right endeavour 880 00:55:44,275 --> 00:55:47,061 So it's all about stopping.. 881 00:55:47,061 --> 00:55:55,080 the free won't, the no, the stop, restraint, letting go 882 00:55:55,103 --> 00:55:59,827 That's why I call it endeavour Effort is doing, 883 00:55:59,827 --> 00:56:04,318 this one of the Eight-fold Path is not doing. 884 00:56:04,318 --> 00:56:07,995 stopping, restraining say no to stuff. 885 00:56:07,995 --> 00:56:12,019 Anyway we'll get on to the first part of Right Mindfulness 886 00:56:12,019 --> 00:56:13,567 which is a big one 887 00:56:13,567 --> 00:56:16,532 Obviously there is no way we can finish it today 888 00:56:16,532 --> 00:56:18,819 but we will get the introduction to it 889 00:56:18,819 --> 00:56:20,074 What, now, is right mindfulness? 890 00:56:20,074 --> 00:56:23,623 First of all that translation is absolutely brilliant 891 00:56:23,623 --> 00:56:27,245 As Professor Rhys Davids did this over 100 years ago 892 00:56:27,245 --> 00:56:31,934 He did also 'concentration' for the Eighth Factor which was a big mistake 893 00:56:31,934 --> 00:56:34,734 but this one absolutely brilliant. 894 00:56:34,734 --> 00:56:39,130 This is where mindfulness came from he invented, coined the word. 895 00:56:39,130 --> 00:56:43,614 The Four Focuses of Mindfulness lead in one direction only, 896 00:56:43,614 --> 00:56:46,635 to the purification of beings, to going beyond sadness and crying, 897 00:56:46,635 --> 00:56:49,007 to the disappearance of physical and mental suffering, 898 00:56:49,007 --> 00:56:51,796 for the attainment of the true way, for the realization of Nibbāna. 899 00:56:51,796 --> 00:56:53,226 What four? 900 00:56:53,226 --> 00:56:57,081 Now there are, and I don't mind saying this, mischievous monks 901 00:56:57,081 --> 00:57:02,085 who say. the four facts of mindfulness are the only path 902 00:57:02,085 --> 00:57:04,124 for the purification of beings. 903 00:57:04,124 --> 00:57:07,122 There is no way for anyone who knows Pali 904 00:57:07,122 --> 00:57:10,496 Anyone who has read the Suttas even the commentaries 905 00:57:10,496 --> 00:57:12,525 it never means that way. 906 00:57:12,525 --> 00:57:16,350 that is a really mischievous interpretation 907 00:57:16,350 --> 00:57:19,796 It's not just mindfulness; you need all the other factors of the 908 00:57:19,796 --> 00:57:21,747 Eight-fold Path as well 909 00:57:21,747 --> 00:57:25,708 Leading in one direction only, that was only Bhikkhu Bodhi's translation 910 00:57:25,708 --> 00:57:30,138 which is; can't really get better than that; I think in this context 911 00:57:30,138 --> 00:57:33,546 leading one direction only to Enlightenment. 912 00:57:33,546 --> 00:57:36,518 So what are these four focuses of mindfulness? 913 00:57:36,518 --> 00:57:42,858 Having restrained the five hindrances, you can see how this is following on 914 00:57:42,858 --> 00:57:47,707 from what went before the Right Endeavour is restraining these things. 915 00:57:47,707 --> 00:57:53,494 Restraining first of all and then we can actually practice the next factor 916 00:57:53,494 --> 00:57:54,944 the Mindfulness 917 00:57:54,944 --> 00:57:59,336 Having restrained the five hindrances, you abide aware of the body, 918 00:57:59,336 --> 00:58:02,069 energized, knowing the purpose of what you are doing, 919 00:58:02,069 --> 00:58:03,290 and mindful. 920 00:58:03,290 --> 00:58:07,150 Having restrained the five hindrances, you abide aware of experience 921 00:58:07,150 --> 00:58:10,426 this is what I call vedanā. 922 00:58:10,426 --> 00:58:14,827 There are few little translations new ones which I'll explain afterwards 923 00:58:14,827 --> 00:58:17,436 energized, knowing the purpose of what you are doing and mindful 924 00:58:17,438 --> 00:58:21,328 Having restrained the five hindrances, you are aware of the mind, the citta, 925 00:58:21,328 --> 00:58:23,719 energized, knowing the purpose of what you are doing, 926 00:58:23,719 --> 00:58:24,609 and mindful. 927 00:58:24,609 --> 00:58:27,980 Having restrained the five hindrances, you abide aware of mind-objects, , 928 00:58:27,980 --> 00:58:31,420 energized knowing the purpose of what you are doing, and mindful. 929 00:58:31,420 --> 00:58:34,808 First of all having restrained the five hindrances 930 00:58:34,808 --> 00:58:40,297 in the Pali it is lōke abhijjhā vineyya lōke abhijjhā dōmanassam 931 00:58:40,297 --> 00:58:45,690 the usual translation is having abandoned grief and covetousness for the world 932 00:58:45,690 --> 00:58:48,679 which even as a lay Buddhist What's the heck does that mean 933 00:58:48,679 --> 00:58:51,301 grief and covetousness for the world 934 00:58:51,301 --> 00:58:56,079 And if you actually look in the Pali it's a synonym for the first two 935 00:58:56,079 --> 00:58:58,091 of the five hindrances. 936 00:58:58,091 --> 00:59:03,621 lōke abhijjhā is used as an alternative for kammachanda 937 00:59:03,621 --> 00:59:06,345 first of the five hindrances. 938 00:59:06,345 --> 00:59:10,732 and dōmanassam is used in two Suttas as an alternative 939 00:59:10,732 --> 00:59:13,217 for the second hindrance. 940 00:59:13,217 --> 00:59:17,124 And if you look for the commentaries to both Satipaṭṭhāna Suttas 941 00:59:17,124 --> 00:59:20,664 the Maha Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta in the dīgha Nikāya 942 00:59:20,664 --> 00:59:24,072 the Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta in the Majjhima Nikāya 943 00:59:24,072 --> 00:59:27,493 For both of those the commentaries say these words means 944 00:59:27,493 --> 00:59:30,837 having abandoned covetousness lōke abhijjhā dōmanassam vineyya 945 00:59:30,837 --> 00:59:34,060 that means having abandoned the first two hindrances 946 00:59:34,060 --> 00:59:36,821 the commentators are consistent 947 00:59:36,821 --> 00:59:39,982 and there is ground for that interpretation 948 00:59:39,982 --> 00:59:43,694 very solid, convincing ground from the Suttas. 949 00:59:43,694 --> 00:59:45,944 So that's what we have to do. 950 00:59:45,944 --> 00:59:48,066 Restraining the five hindrances and they also say 951 00:59:48,066 --> 00:59:50,456 this is the idioms of Pali 952 00:59:50,456 --> 00:59:54,814 If you have the first two of a group all the others in the group 953 00:59:54,814 --> 00:59:57,605 are assumed to be present as well. 954 00:59:57,635 --> 01:00:09,815 When you say the BSWA and these monasteries (that's not very good) 955 01:00:09,815 --> 01:00:14,497 you have.. like the .. who is in the Australian Cricket Team any more. 956 01:00:14,497 --> 01:00:21,086 you have the Captain, the Vice Captain etc. the et cetera is always included 957 01:00:21,086 --> 01:00:24,636 as the other people playing in the Cricket Team. 958 01:00:24,636 --> 01:00:28,195 So here when you have five things and the first two are mentioned 959 01:00:28,195 --> 01:00:32,266 the commentaries always say the the other things are also included 960 01:00:32,266 --> 01:00:36,786 so this is an accurate description restraining the five hindrances 961 01:00:36,786 --> 01:00:39,296 you haven't abandoned the five hindrances yet 962 01:00:39,296 --> 01:00:42,064 you restrain them, lessen them, 963 01:00:42,064 --> 01:00:44,876 especially by what you have done so far; 964 01:00:44,876 --> 01:00:52,983 the previous factor the Right Effort previous to that (sorry Right Endeavour) 965 01:00:52,983 --> 01:00:57,298 previous to that was your precepts which helped also restrain the 966 01:00:57,298 --> 01:01:00,705 hindrances, just by Right Speech, Right Action, Right Livelihood 967 01:01:00,705 --> 01:01:03,539 before that the Right Motivation 968 01:01:03,539 --> 01:01:08,818 motivation you may have heard me say this before, make peace, be kind, be gentle 969 01:01:08,818 --> 01:01:13,119 that actually restrains hindrances and obviously coming from Right View. 970 01:01:13,119 --> 01:01:16,089 These all linked together here. 971 01:01:16,089 --> 01:01:19,798 Restrain the five hindrances first otherwise you are not mindful 972 01:01:19,798 --> 01:01:26,656 you abide aware of four things; the body, experience, sometimes it's called feelings. 973 01:01:26,656 --> 01:01:33,427 feelings is not a very good word, it can be emotional, it can be body sensations 974 01:01:33,427 --> 01:01:37,910 but what it really means is, this thing which we notice as experience 975 01:01:37,910 --> 01:01:42,961 The Buddha defines experience as pleasant and unpleasant or in-between 976 01:01:42,961 --> 01:01:49,996 but that is just a way of pointing to sort of what we are actually looking at 977 01:01:49,996 --> 01:01:50,926 the experience 978 01:01:50,926 --> 01:02:00,052 just as well, you might say; heat, cold windy that points to weather, the climate 979 01:02:00,052 --> 01:02:03,560 so it's not really feelings, it's not pleasure, pain and in-between 980 01:02:03,560 --> 01:02:07,749 it's pointing at this thing which we know as experience 981 01:02:07,749 --> 01:02:12,212 and the mind, the citta 982 01:02:12,212 --> 01:02:15,872 this is when the five senses disappear you know what that is. 983 01:02:15,872 --> 01:02:18,422 and the mind objects you will find later on 984 01:02:18,422 --> 01:02:23,663 this was really good work by people like Ajahn Sujato, Analiyo and Ajahn Brahmali 985 01:02:23,663 --> 01:02:28,303 who actually looked at versions of the Satipaṭṭhāna and discovered that 986 01:02:28,303 --> 01:02:34,223 in the earliest versions, the mind object only had two mind objects to focus on 987 01:02:34,223 --> 01:02:37,724 and that was the five hindrances and the Seven Enlightenment Factors, 988 01:02:37,724 --> 01:02:39,244 just those two 989 01:02:39,244 --> 01:02:42,033 It seems the other ones were added later on 990 01:02:42,033 --> 01:02:48,063 it's not wrong to add those but it takes away the focus of these are 991 01:02:48,063 --> 01:02:53,569 being aware of the hindrances which actually block you from developing the 992 01:02:53,569 --> 01:02:55,349 path and becoming enlightened 993 01:02:55,349 --> 01:03:00,824 or focusing on their opposites, that which actually develops Enlightenment. 994 01:03:00,824 --> 01:03:05,013 And that's actually a very powerful understanding of why those two were there; 995 01:03:05,013 --> 01:03:06,605 other ones added later, 996 01:03:06,605 --> 01:03:09,815 they are not wrong; but they take the focus away from the meaning 997 01:03:09,815 --> 01:03:16,275 of why the Buddha actually chose those things as part of Satipaṭṭhāna 998 01:03:16,275 --> 01:03:22,205 energized-so you can't do like (Ajahn makes a tired noise) with sloth and torpor 999 01:03:22,205 --> 01:03:24,433 you do this when you develop some restrain, 1000 01:03:24,433 --> 01:03:26,072 develop the restraint to the hindrances 1001 01:03:26,072 --> 01:03:28,528 as I was saying in the question ...... afterwards 1002 01:03:28,528 --> 01:03:32,713 you get energized when you have restraint 1003 01:03:32,713 --> 01:03:36,816 knowing the purpose of what you are doing and mindful. 1004 01:03:36,816 --> 01:03:39,286 so knowing the purpose of what you are doing 1005 01:03:39,286 --> 01:03:42,161 so often I have told people yeah mindfulness is great 1006 01:03:42,161 --> 01:03:44,819 as long as you must remember the purpose of what you are doing. 1007 01:03:44,819 --> 01:03:50,934 So, if you are driving a car in the busy traffic, you are not 1008 01:03:50,934 --> 01:03:54,838 focusing on your breath 1009 01:03:54,838 --> 01:03:56,028 Breathing in..... 1010 01:03:56,028 --> 01:03:58,136 you get a crash 1011 01:03:58,136 --> 01:04:03,747 You focus on the traffic; what's the purpose of driving 1012 01:04:03,747 --> 01:04:08,195 or when you are late for an aircraft 1013 01:04:08,195 --> 01:04:14,614 then you don't do slow walking lifting lifting..... you run 1014 01:04:14,614 --> 01:04:19,311 so sometimes it's actually crazy when you don't follow the Satipaṭṭhāna 1015 01:04:19,311 --> 01:04:21,598 What's the purpose of what you are doing? 1016 01:04:21,598 --> 01:04:24,378 And of course the other one which you heard me saying many times 1017 01:04:24,378 --> 01:04:28,247 people say ah! Buddhists you always let go, let go, let go, let go 1018 01:04:28,247 --> 01:04:31,600 Excepting from the back of a motorbike through heavy traffic 1019 01:04:31,600 --> 01:04:34,469 Attach, do not let go 1020 01:04:34,469 --> 01:04:37,599 otherwise you will fall off and injure yourself 1021 01:04:37,599 --> 01:04:41,596 So why you are doing this why you are watching the body 1022 01:04:41,596 --> 01:04:44,592 why you are watching the experience why you are aware of the mind 1023 01:04:44,592 --> 01:04:46,840 why you are aware of mind objects why? 1024 01:04:46,840 --> 01:04:49,823 and that becomes very clear in a few moments 1025 01:04:49,823 --> 01:04:52,139 and mindful 1026 01:04:52,139 --> 01:04:56,250 that is in brief the Satipaṭṭhāna 1027 01:04:56,250 --> 01:04:59,520 so how you are mindful of the body 1028 01:04:59,520 --> 01:05:05,331 there is many objects in body awareness breathing, there's the four postures 1029 01:05:05,331 --> 01:05:08,461 Comprehension of the Purpose, The Bodily Parts, Elements 1030 01:05:08,661 --> 01:05:12,249 the Charnel Ground meditations 1031 01:05:12,249 --> 01:05:15,701 But anyway we will start with just the breath 1032 01:05:15,701 --> 01:05:20,467 You go to a quite secluded place, sit down comfortably 1033 01:05:20,467 --> 01:05:24,456 and give priority to establishing mindfulness 1034 01:05:24,456 --> 01:05:28,334 This is standard Ānāpānasati 1035 01:05:28,334 --> 01:05:33,873 Quiet secluded place, if you can there are secluded places around 1036 01:05:33,873 --> 01:05:36,234 it's amazing that even in cities 1037 01:05:36,234 --> 01:05:40,529 some of the quietest places can be an apartment buildings 1038 01:05:40,529 --> 01:05:46,069 where you don't hear stuff 1039 01:05:46,069 --> 01:05:49,329 here I heard something a few moments ago I think it was an ice-cream van 1040 01:05:49,329 --> 01:05:54,686 you don't hear the ice-cream van when you are in the 26th story of an apartment block 1041 01:05:54,686 --> 01:06:02,748 So sometimes... you wonder like hermits hermits living in the city 1042 01:06:02,748 --> 01:06:06,032 you know, you can actually disappear in a city 1043 01:06:06,032 --> 01:06:09,564 because in the forest you get all these people just coming to see you .. 1044 01:06:09,564 --> 01:06:13,659 and fire officers and other people making sure you are safe 1045 01:06:13,659 --> 01:06:15,414 for the fire season 1046 01:06:15,414 --> 01:06:21,502 Sometimes I wonder whether we should be forest monks in the city 1047 01:06:21,502 --> 01:06:23,754 secluded, peaceful 1048 01:06:23,754 --> 01:06:26,180 Anyway I always have these ideas 1049 01:06:26,180 --> 01:06:29,559 just always think outside the box 1050 01:06:29,559 --> 01:06:34,073 So you go to secluded place sit down comfortably 1051 01:06:34,073 --> 01:06:38,163 now that was a translation just that you don't have to 1052 01:06:38,163 --> 01:06:43,056 sit down in full-lotus, with your back straight 1053 01:06:43,056 --> 01:06:45,022 but pain all over the place 1054 01:06:45,022 --> 01:06:50,523 sit down comfortably and give priority to establishing mindfulness 1055 01:06:50,523 --> 01:06:53,275 the word is parimukha which means.. 1056 01:06:53,275 --> 01:06:56,532 some people say in front of you 1057 01:06:56,532 --> 01:06:58,649 and that word in front of you 1058 01:06:58,649 --> 01:07:01,290 in front of what? where am I 1059 01:07:01,290 --> 01:07:04,531 it doesn't say in front of the nose it doesn't say in front of the belly 1060 01:07:04,531 --> 01:07:06,219 It's Parimukha 1061 01:07:06,219 --> 01:07:11,746 and it does not mean literally, physically, spatially in front 1062 01:07:11,746 --> 01:07:16,842 it means like the same word as giving priority, giving it first place 1063 01:07:16,842 --> 01:07:20,555 in front, the first thing you need to do 1064 01:07:20,555 --> 01:07:23,777 So that's why give priority to establishing mindfulness 1065 01:07:23,777 --> 01:07:25,577 that's actually what we do. 1066 01:07:25,577 --> 01:07:30,746 So before you even watch the breath you establish mindfulness first of all 1067 01:07:30,754 --> 01:07:35,791 it's from that where you get me monks like me teaching 1068 01:07:35,791 --> 01:07:40,050 sit down and just relax the body be mindful of the body 1069 01:07:40,050 --> 01:07:45,232 make sure the body is nice and comfortable and then present moment awareness 1070 01:07:45,232 --> 01:07:48,864 just subdue your thinking just so that you can 1071 01:07:48,864 --> 01:07:50,866 be in this moment. 1072 01:07:50,866 --> 01:07:53,671 If you are skill thinking of the past and the future 1073 01:07:53,671 --> 01:07:58,931 or thinking about anything you are not really being mindful. 1074 01:07:58,931 --> 01:08:04,143 So when you are silent in this moment you have established mindfulness 1075 01:08:04,143 --> 01:08:07,582 You know that's one of the reasons why people who do breath meditation 1076 01:08:07,582 --> 01:08:09,806 they think they can't do it. 1077 01:08:09,806 --> 01:08:13,226 Or they do it just for a short period of time and it runs away 1078 01:08:13,226 --> 01:08:14,872 because they haven't done the preparation, 1079 01:08:14,872 --> 01:08:17,262 they haven't made the foundation 1080 01:08:17,262 --> 01:08:22,604 Do the foundation first, and then it's so easy afterwards 1081 01:08:22,604 --> 01:08:27,422 So anyway that is just giving the beginning of the mindfulness 1082 01:08:27,422 --> 01:08:30,326 which will come the next time I am sitting here. 1083 01:08:30,326 --> 01:08:36,027 But today we just focused on the Right Endeavour 1084 01:08:36,027 --> 01:08:41,230 Any questions from here before we get the ones from overseas 1085 01:08:41,230 --> 01:08:42,831 Yes 1086 01:08:42,831 --> 01:08:46,141 Question: I heard it said that the hindrances can't be restraint unless 1087 01:08:46,141 --> 01:08:50,441 one develops the Eight-fold Path Is that correct? 1088 01:08:50,441 --> 01:08:52,567 Ajahn: no what that actually says 1089 01:08:52,567 --> 01:08:58,236 it's the Naḷakapāna Sutta 68 I think I got that number right 1090 01:08:58,236 --> 01:09:02,187 is that without having experienced the Jhānas 1091 01:09:02,187 --> 01:09:06,587 the five hindrances invade the mind and remain 1092 01:09:06,587 --> 01:09:11,413 together with weariness and discontent 1093 01:09:11,413 --> 01:09:16,513 So that saying of the Buddha in Naḷakapāna Sutta Majjhima Nikaya 1094 01:09:16,513 --> 01:09:18,728 So what we are saying here is that; 1095 01:09:18,728 --> 01:09:21,268 to really get those five hindrances abandoned 1096 01:09:21,268 --> 01:09:23,636 it is the Jhānas. 1097 01:09:23,636 --> 01:09:27,427 Then they are gone for hours or even days sometimes 1098 01:09:27,427 --> 01:09:31,827 and no discontent, just happy no matter what happens 1099 01:09:31,827 --> 01:09:34,530 no weariness, full of energy 1100 01:09:34,530 --> 01:09:38,765 So often you can't sleep at night which is fine you don't need to 1101 01:09:38,765 --> 01:09:43,817 So but to restrain the hindrances is different than overcoming them 1102 01:09:43,817 --> 01:09:48,221 and restraining the hindrances is done by the other ways of the path 1103 01:09:48,221 --> 01:09:51,706 things like stopping, letting go 1104 01:09:51,706 --> 01:09:56,332 for example you know lust or something if you start a fantasy 1105 01:09:56,332 --> 01:10:00,475 if you start it, and you don't stop it quickly, it's got you. 1106 01:10:00,475 --> 01:10:04,001 You start anger a train of thoughts 1107 01:10:04,001 --> 01:10:07,313 it's a very beautiful English metaphor a train of thought 1108 01:10:07,313 --> 01:10:10,954 If you can stop the train when it is just leaving the station 1109 01:10:10,954 --> 01:10:14,544 it stops pretty quickly, within a few feet 1110 01:10:14,544 --> 01:10:18,518 but if it is running along the track at 120 km an hour 1111 01:10:18,518 --> 01:10:22,507 it is very hard to stop, takes a long time 1112 01:10:22,507 --> 01:10:27,346 So that is why just the restraining of the hindrances; 1113 01:10:27,351 --> 01:10:35,742 it's enough to be mindful to actually go deeper and to stop them for hours. 1114 01:10:35,742 --> 01:10:41,830 OK let's get some from overseas 1115 01:10:41,830 --> 01:10:44,106 here we go 1116 01:10:44,106 --> 01:10:53,272 Oh someone living in Thailand 1117 01:10:53,272 --> 01:10:57,962 Part 1: Dear Ajahn Brahm; right now I am confused with terminology especially 1118 01:10:57,962 --> 01:11:01,923 with some come from other schools too these might cover each other 1119 01:11:01,923 --> 01:11:06,579 completely or partially. My question at the moment is would you please 1120 01:11:06,579 --> 01:11:10,104 clarify the difference or similarity between mindfulness, consciousness 1121 01:11:10,104 --> 01:11:13,619 awakening and awareness. 1122 01:11:13,619 --> 01:11:19,582 Ajahn. OK mindfulness and awareness are pretty much identical. 1123 01:11:19,582 --> 01:11:24,008 so to be aware is like being mindful. 1124 01:11:24,008 --> 01:11:28,524 But also sometimes the mindfulness means something a little bit more than 1125 01:11:28,524 --> 01:11:32,599 being aware. It is always usually accompanied by 1126 01:11:32,599 --> 01:11:35,319 knowing what you should be doing with this. 1127 01:11:35,319 --> 01:11:37,142 It's Mindfulness and Wisdom 1128 01:11:37,142 --> 01:11:40,279 or Sati Saṃprajanya or Sati Paññā 1129 01:11:40,279 --> 01:11:49,689 and the example of that is a story of a very wealthy woman; 1130 01:11:49,689 --> 01:11:51,899 because you are saying you are in Thailand here, 1131 01:11:51,899 --> 01:11:55,925 in Thailand who goes to the temple one evening 1132 01:11:55,925 --> 01:12:01,763 and she tells the guard of her mansion at the little gate house in the front 1133 01:12:01,763 --> 01:12:06,517 please be mindful this evening there's many burglars around and 1134 01:12:06,517 --> 01:12:09,849 many houses in the district have been robbed. 1135 01:12:09,849 --> 01:12:15,678 And so the guard said 'Yes Madam I would be mindful' 1136 01:12:15,678 --> 01:12:19,625 And when she comes back from the temple she finds that her 1137 01:12:19,625 --> 01:12:22,028 mansion has been ransacked. 1138 01:12:22,028 --> 01:12:25,297 The robbers have been in there and taken everything 1139 01:12:25,297 --> 01:12:29,904 So she is very upset at her gate keeper, her guard, her security 1140 01:12:29,904 --> 01:12:33,541 "I told you security guard to be mindful" 1141 01:12:33,541 --> 01:12:36,981 "But we were madam" "How come we got robbed" 1142 01:12:36,981 --> 01:12:42,495 "Well madam I was very mindful, very aware, burglars were going into the house 1143 01:12:42,495 --> 01:12:46,353 and I noted, burglars going in, burglar going in, burglar going in 1144 01:12:46,353 --> 01:12:51,270 and I saw them coming out of your mansion carrying all your jewelry and I was noting 1145 01:12:51,270 --> 01:12:54,717 jewelry going out, jewelry going out jewelry going out 1146 01:12:54,717 --> 01:12:58,886 I saw them go back in again with their big truck, their lorry 1147 01:12:58,886 --> 01:13:01,300 and I noted; lorry going in, lorry going in 1148 01:13:01,300 --> 01:13:05,797 And I saw them the safe, the big safe I saw the safe being put on to the truck 1149 01:13:05,797 --> 01:13:10,716 and gong out. Safe going out, safe going out; I was mindful all the time madam 1150 01:13:10,716 --> 01:13:14,637 I was totally aware. 1151 01:13:14,637 --> 01:13:17,373 That's why that's mindfulness without wisdom. 1152 01:13:17,373 --> 01:13:22,354 Awareness without knowing the consequences of what you are doing. 1153 01:13:22,354 --> 01:13:27,803 So in Dhamma it's not just being mindful; it's actually being aware as well. 1154 01:13:27,803 --> 01:13:32,886 And the consciousness being conscious is; 1155 01:13:32,886 --> 01:13:37,436 everyone is conscious unless they are dead. 1156 01:13:37,436 --> 01:13:42,551 But the connection between mindfulness and consciousness is 1157 01:13:42,551 --> 01:13:48,324 mindfulness is usually focused on really important areas of life. 1158 01:13:48,324 --> 01:13:53,290 Things like; you are aware of the body yes, you are conscious of the body 1159 01:13:53,290 --> 01:14:00,098 but you are aware in it in the sense that certain practices which can underline or 1160 01:14:00,098 --> 01:14:05,263 uncover the nature of this body. The nature of experience; the mind. 1161 01:14:05,263 --> 01:14:08,374 So that's why these four focuses of mindfulness are like the 1162 01:14:08,374 --> 01:14:12,934 four little mines as they have in Western Australia 1163 01:14:12,934 --> 01:14:19,183 wells we can find really sweet water, places where you can find treasure 1164 01:14:19,183 --> 01:14:21,798 so places to look which are really important. 1165 01:14:21,798 --> 01:14:25,957 So mindfulness focus on places where you really find something 1166 01:14:25,957 --> 01:14:31,266 and awakening that actually has a very good connection with 1167 01:14:31,266 --> 01:14:33,895 mindfulness and awareness. 1168 01:14:33,895 --> 01:14:38,323 As mindfulness becomes empowered, in other words 1169 01:14:38,323 --> 01:14:40,998 you are really mindful as I was saying earlier 1170 01:14:40,998 --> 01:14:42,640 because of stillness, 1171 01:14:42,640 --> 01:14:45,220 developing mindfulness becomes more and more energized, 1172 01:14:45,220 --> 01:14:49,203 as it becomes more and more energized you see more, 1173 01:14:49,203 --> 01:14:52,933 what you see becomes more enjoyable, beautiful 1174 01:14:52,933 --> 01:14:55,026 so hard to get negative 1175 01:14:55,026 --> 01:14:58,076 your awareness get empowered 1176 01:14:58,076 --> 01:15:00,996 and it is like you are awakening 1177 01:15:00,996 --> 01:15:06,031 You may think you are fully awake now ha ha ha compared to when you get into 1178 01:15:06,031 --> 01:15:08,551 really deep meditations that come on afterwards 1179 01:15:08,551 --> 01:15:11,391 wow; now I am really am awake 1180 01:15:11,391 --> 01:15:14,895 you can see so much more, you can feel more 1181 01:15:14,895 --> 01:15:19,412 there is a small breeze coming in through the door this afternoon here 1182 01:15:19,412 --> 01:15:25,511 you can really feel it fully, you are really awake to it. 1183 01:15:25,511 --> 01:15:29,347 multiply that multiply that that's what being really awake. 1184 01:15:29,347 --> 01:15:32,682 And that's actually the meaning of the word Buddha 1185 01:15:32,682 --> 01:15:37,490 it comes from the Pali word buddhajji which means to wake up 1186 01:15:37,490 --> 01:15:39,732 It's not wake up to some idea 1187 01:15:39,732 --> 01:15:42,389 Just 'come on stupid, wake up" (Ajahn knocking on his head) 1188 01:15:42,389 --> 01:15:43,733 It's actually naturally 1189 01:15:43,733 --> 01:15:46,043 being able to see, being able to know 1190 01:15:46,043 --> 01:15:50,470 being able to feel so fully. 1191 01:15:50,470 --> 01:15:54,890 That's what awakening is. 1192 01:15:54,890 --> 01:16:00,492 Anyway hopefully that's helpful for you in Thailand 1193 01:16:00,492 --> 01:16:04,741 And from the USA-Non self at times has caused me to do too little 1194 01:16:04,741 --> 01:16:09,963 believing there is no free will anyway so why even try? How to avoid this danger? 1195 01:16:09,963 --> 01:16:20,117 You are willing yourself to be lazy. So it's not free will, it's free won't 1196 01:16:20,117 --> 01:16:27,250 so I won't be lazy, I would do whatever is necessary because you are being 1197 01:16:27,250 --> 01:16:35,021 conditioned not from your own ideas not from lazy ideas, but from the idea also 1198 01:16:35,021 --> 01:16:40,062 of compassion, kindness which leads to service. 1199 01:16:40,062 --> 01:16:44,573 You can take the message from someone like the Buddha 1200 01:16:44,573 --> 01:16:50,513 Someone who is so compassionate just work your butt-off for other people. 1201 01:16:50,513 --> 01:16:55,629 this is when I've ever gone to see Ajahn Gunha, which many of you know him 1202 01:16:55,629 --> 01:17:00,850 great monk, that he was the monk I don't know last time I told you this story 1203 01:17:00,850 --> 01:17:11,285 here we go; the rumour was going around the monks that he was Fully Enlightened 1204 01:17:11,285 --> 01:17:15,140 So that was the rumour, the gossip going around 1205 01:17:15,140 --> 01:17:20,781 So he was there under Ajahn Chah's hut with all the senior monks 1206 01:17:20,781 --> 01:17:23,781 you know many many more senior than him 1207 01:17:23,781 --> 01:17:26,895 So Ajahn Chah started a conversation 1208 01:17:26,895 --> 01:17:30,405 and he asked the most senior monk there I think it was Ajahn Jhan at the time 1209 01:17:30,405 --> 01:17:34,358 "Ajahn Jhan are you Enlightened yet?" he said "No" 1210 01:17:34,358 --> 01:17:38,562 Asked the next monk "how about you" "No" 1211 01:17:38,562 --> 01:17:40,802 All the monks.. "Are you" "No" 1212 01:17:40,802 --> 01:17:45,062 He got to Ajahn Gunha he said "yes" 1213 01:17:45,062 --> 01:17:49,765 and that made everyone "wow" in front of the great teacher 1214 01:17:49,765 --> 01:17:52,263 he said he got no more defilements 1215 01:17:52,263 --> 01:17:56,678 What happened next Ajahn Chah said "come upstairs" 1216 01:17:56,678 --> 01:17:58,792 And you'll always wish you were the fly on the wall 1217 01:17:58,792 --> 01:18:03,916 What did Ajahn Chah say? What did he do? to this monk 1218 01:18:03,916 --> 01:18:08,464 And so we didn't know at the time but we found out afterwards 1219 01:18:08,464 --> 01:18:14,012 he said "your job is to do lots of loving kindness, metta, compassion 1220 01:18:14,012 --> 01:18:16,758 develop that" 1221 01:18:16,758 --> 01:18:21,563 So that's why he became, many of you have gone to see him 1222 01:18:21,563 --> 01:18:25,989 you can see he's compassionate, kind monk 1223 01:18:25,989 --> 01:18:28,261 that drives you. 1224 01:18:28,261 --> 01:18:31,889 So believing there is no free-will you don't believe it 1225 01:18:31,889 --> 01:18:35,804 It's nothing about belief; it's realization, knowing it 1226 01:18:35,804 --> 01:18:41,024 and if you really is, sort of letting go of the sense of self 1227 01:18:41,024 --> 01:18:45,538 then it's the sense of others me, them all the same 1228 01:18:45,538 --> 01:18:48,593 connection between the two of us 1229 01:18:48,593 --> 01:18:51,733 and then what gets replaced is desire and craving 1230 01:18:51,733 --> 01:18:55,430 it's kindness and service 1231 01:18:55,430 --> 01:19:01,238 So the sign that you have understood non self, it's not that you become lazy 1232 01:19:01,238 --> 01:19:04,299 you'll be working harder than before 1233 01:19:04,299 --> 01:19:08,842 compassion drives you not what I want 1234 01:19:08,842 --> 01:19:12,494 but what is needed for service 1235 01:19:12,494 --> 01:19:17,744 So hopefully that makes sense 1236 01:19:17,744 --> 01:19:23,489 Anyway any comments or questions about that 1237 01:19:23,489 --> 01:19:26,583 Going.. going... gone! 1238 01:19:26,583 --> 01:19:31,798 Ok Very good. So we usually now pay respects to Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha 1239 01:19:31,798 --> 01:19:38,283 Thank you again for those questions from overseas and the questions here 1240 01:19:38,283 --> 01:20:02,019 Sadhu Sadhu Sadhu......