The Art Of Meditation with Samaneri Jayasāra (S3 Ep.34)
Oct 14, 2022
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Buddhist nun and spiritual teacher, Samaneri Jayasāra, discusses the purpose of meditation, the true nature of emotions, core teachings of Buddhism, the illusion of boredom, the difference between Buddhism and Abrahamic religions, the possibility of enlightenment, and the cycle of pleasure and pain.
Meditation is about investigating the mind and recognizing the ever-changing nature of thoughts and feelings, approaching it with the mind of a child and without expectations.
Buddhism focuses on the teachings of the Buddha, exploring the nature of reality and suffering, and encourages personal investigation and direct experience for understanding one's own mind and the nature of existence.
By investigating cravings in meditation, one can recognize their conditioned nature and develop a lighter relationship with desires, leading to greater peace and freedom.
Deep dives
The Purpose of Meditation and the Illusion of Boredom
In this podcast episode, the guest, a Buddhist nun and spiritual teacher, discusses the purpose of meditation and sheds light on the true nature of emotions. She emphasizes that meditation is not about achieving instant results or expecting certain experiences, but rather about investigating the mind and recognizing the ever-changing nature of thoughts and feelings. The guest encourages approaching meditation with the mind of a child, without expectations, and emphasizes that even feelings of boredom can be valuable in deepening one's understanding of the mind. By observing and accepting these feelings, one can start to recognize the emptiness and impermanence of emotions, leading to greater clarity and peace.
The Difference Between Buddhism and Abrahamic Religions
In this episode, the guest distinguishes Buddhism from Abrahamic religions. While the latter often emphasize the worship of a monotheistic God and adherence to specific beliefs, Buddhism offers a different perspective. Buddhism focuses on the teachings of the Buddha, exploring the nature of reality and suffering, and providing practical tools for self-inquiry and self-transformation. The guest highlights the practicality and rationality of Buddhism, presenting it as a path that can be followed by individuals regardless of their religious background. She also emphasizes that Buddhism does not require blind faith, but encourages personal investigation and direct experience for understanding one's own mind and the nature of existence.
Understanding and Managing Cravings
The podcast delves into the concept of cravings and their role in human suffering. The guest explains that cravings arise from ignorance and the mistaken belief in a solid, permanent self. She emphasizes that cravings go beyond simply desiring pleasurable things, but extend to the aversion of unpleasant experiences as well. By investigating these cravings in meditation, one can start to recognize the conditioned nature of desires and the consequent clinging and aversion that cause suffering. The guest highlights that the goal of meditation is not to suppress desires, but to gain insight into their impermanent and empty nature. With this awareness, one can develop a lighter relationship with desires, which leads to greater peace and freedom.
The Continuum of Mindfulness Skill and Goals in Meditation
The episode touches upon the progression and continuum of mindfulness skill in meditation. The guest explains that the path of meditation is not about achieving certain goals or attaining specific levels, but instead about letting go of the delusions of a fixed, separate self. While stages of insight can be observed, the essence of the practice lies in non-attachment to concepts of progress or attainment. The guest encourages listeners to let go of the idea of a goal-oriented mindset and to instead cultivate a deep sense of presence and curiosity in their meditation practice. By doing so, one can experience the natural state of peace and spaciousness, free from the limitations of ego-driven desires and expectations.
Finding Common Ground among Religions and the Essence of Teachings
The episode highlights the potential for common ground among different religions, particularly between Buddhism and monotheistic traditions. The guest highlights that many mystical writings within the monotheistic faiths point to similar teachings found in Buddhism, such as recognizing the illusory nature of the self and exploring the depths of reality. While superficial differences may exist, the essence of these teachings often converge, pointing to a universal truth beyond religious dogma. The guest encourages listeners to explore and investigate the core teachings of different traditions, looking beyond the surface to find shared insights and wisdom that can benefit their own spiritual journeys.
My guest today is Samaneri Jayasāra. Samaneri is a Buddhist nun and spiritual teacher. Her YouTube channel where she shares her lectures has over 80,000 subscribers.
In this episode, Samaneri and I discuss the purpose of meditation, the true nature of emotions, the core teachings of Buddhism, the illusion of boredom, the difference between Buddhism and the Abrahamic religions, the possibility of enlightenment, the cycle of pleasure and pain, and much more.
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