Ajahn Brahm Podcast

This talk is about dealing with emotions from a Buddhist perspective. Ajahn Brahm points out that often people talk about negative emotions such as grief, anger, and fear, but positive emotions like inspiration, love, and compassion are also important. He mentions that emotions can be manipulated, as seen in movies and auctions, and shares a personal story about witnessing the calming of a distraught woman by a monk. The monk's calmness helped her gain perspective on her friend's suicide. The story says that the emotions that we feel are often created by our own thoughts and perceptions. The speaker gives examples of anger, fear, and grief and how they can be triggered and reinforced by our unskillful thinking. He encourages us to be more mindful and aware of our thoughts and to try to understand where our emotions come from. --- This dhamma talk was originally recorded using a low quality MP3 to save on file size on 1st June 2007. It has now been remastered and published by the Everyday Dhamma Network, and will be of interest to his many fans. These talks by Ajahn Brahm have been recorded and made available for free distribution by the Buddhist Society of Western Australia under the Creative Commons licence. You can support the Buddhist Society of Western Australia by pledging your support via their Ko-fi page.

Ajahn Brahm introduces the topic of accountability and how it is pertinent to issues such as climate change and ethics. He discuss how the demands of the present can take priority and prevent people from addressing bigger problems. He also talk about the benefits of slowing down and seeing the bigger picture in life, such as through monasteries and retreat centers. This talk discusses the importance of ethics and accountability in modern society, particularly in relation to issues like global warming and climate change. The speaker, a Buddhist monk, talks about how the belief in rebirth and the understanding of consequences for actions in future lives can help people to see the bigger picture and take ethical decisions. He also mentions the importance of wisdom in being compassionate, and how lack of wisdom can sometimes lead to unintended negative consequences. --- This dhamma talk was originally recorded using a low quality MP3 to save on file size on 1st June 2007. It has now been remastered and published by the Everyday Dhamma Network, and will be of interest to his many fans. These talks by Ajahn Brahm have been recorded and made available for free distribution by the Buddhist Society of Western Australia under the Creative Commons licence. You can support the Buddhist Society of Western Australia by pledging your support via their Ko-fi page.

Dive into the fascinating world of Buddhist traditions as different sects are explored without judgment or hierarchy. Discover how common sense guides ethical understanding, allowing for a personal interpretation of virtue. Enjoy heartwarming tales of interfaith cooperation among monks, who share teachings and engage with modern life. Ajahn Brahm emphasizes that beneath diverse practices, the core values remain the same, promoting respect and unity among practitioners. The talk wraps up with reflections on compassion, forgiveness, and the significance of shared experiences.

The talk discusses the topic of the right to believe and how it affects our everyday lives. Ajahn Brahm brings up the dangers and consequences of holding extreme or harmful beliefs, such as seen in cases of mental illness or acts of violence. He also discusses the prioritization of beliefs and how it can lead to conflicts, using the example of a couple who argue over whether a sound is made by a chicken or a duck. The talk ultimately emphasizes the importance of critically examining our beliefs and ensuring that the most important of focusing on the primary beliefs of peace, harmony, and love. --- This dhamma talk was originally recorded using a low quality MP3 to save on file size on 18th May 2007. It has now been remastered and published by the Everyday Dhamma Network, and will be of interest to his many fans. These talks by Ajahn Brahm have been recorded and made available for free distribution by the Buddhist Society of Western Australia under the Creative Commons licence. You can support the Buddhist Society of Western Australia by pledging your support via their Ko-fi page.

Discover the intriguing discussion about happiness in today's society, with a focus on the harmful attachment to negative emotions like anger and grief. Ajahn Brahm explores cultural influences on grief and why many find a deceptive delight in sadness. He advocates for forgiveness as a means to freedom and happiness, contrasting rehabilitation with retribution. Learn how changing attitudes can transform personal trauma into compassionate parenting and uncover the path to true liberation by letting go of the past.

Explore how Buddhist principles like mindfulness and compassion can transform the workplace. Ajahn Brahm shares stories of how genuine care boosts motivation and efficiency, showcasing successful business practices that prioritize people. Discover how banning overtime led to increased morale and profits. Learn the importance of integrity in building trust and how loving-kindness can turn negotiations around. Lastly, effective feedback and short meditative breaks are highlighted as simple yet powerful strategies to enhance productivity.

Growing up in London in the 1960s and protesting against the Vietnam War, Ajahn Brahm could never imagine that serving in the military was compatible with being a Buddhist. But a meeting with Buddhist servicemen in Britain caused him to rethink the ethics of military service and to challenge his own preconceptions. This talk is a thoughtful exploration of the ethics of serving in the military and various situations in life where simplistic, rules-based ethics falls short. Ajahn Brahm asks people to look at ethical choices from multiple perspectives and to be informed not just by rules, but compassionate intentions and wisdom. And to not judge the difficult ethical decisions others make until we’ve looked at it from other perspectives. — This dhamma talk was originally recorded using a low quality MP3 to save on file size on 27th April 2007. It has now been remastered and published by the Everyday Dhamma Network, and will be of interest to his many fans. These talks by Ajahn Brahm have been recorded and made available for free distribution by the Buddhist Society of Western Australia under the Creative Commons licence. You can support the Buddhist Society of Western Australia by pledging your support via their Ko-fi page.

Ajahn Brahm gives a talk on what meditation is and how it works. And how to find the most meaningful answer of all through the lived experience of deep peace inside the mind. — This dhamma talk was originally recorded using a low quality MP3 to save on file size on 13th April 2007. It has now been remastered and published by the Everyday Dhamma Network, and will be of interest to his many fans. These talks by Ajahn Brahm have been recorded and made available for free distribution by the Buddhist Society of Western Australia under the Creative Commons licence. You can support the Buddhist Society of Western Australia by pledging your support via their Ko-fi page.

This talk is about how to deal with criticism in a wise and positive way, and why people often react negatively to criticism. We tend to take criticism personally because we identify with our ideas, views, and sense of self. It's important to have a more malleable sense of self and be open to change in order to be more receptive to criticism.

Ajahn Brahm explores the intriguing idea of whether nirvana is guaranteed, emphasizing spirituality as a process of letting go rather than attaining. He shares insights on releasing possessions and ego to achieve true freedom and happiness. The discussion includes the importance of humility, humor in accepting our flaws, and the shift from an individualistic mindset to a compassionate, community-oriented approach. Ultimately, he frames nirvana as inner peace that grows from the practice of letting go and embracing compassion.