Ajahn Brahm Podcast

Mindfulness is a natural state of mind that we can grow by being still and gentle. In our Western culture, we have an unhealthy obsession with working hard and achieving things. But in meditation, we need to learn how to rest our minds and bodies, to be able to slow down and see what is happening in the present moment. The faster we go, the less we are able to see. This talk is about how mindfulness and kindness can help us let go of the negative thoughts and emotions that clutter our minds. By being aware and compassionate towards ourselves and others, we can break negative habits and respond to situations in a more positive and effective way. — This dhamma talk was originally recorded using a low quality MP3 to save on file size on 9th November 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 why Ajahn Brahm argues that meditation, rather than scriptures, is the essence of Buddhism. He emphasizes the importance of personal experience over blind adherence to texts. Explore how slowing down can reveal inner wisdom and beauty. Learn about the ethical implications of decisions like stem cell research through heartfelt understanding. Ajahn Brahm advocates for self-acceptance, kindness, and independent thinking, reminding us that true insight comes from within, not from following dogma.

Ajahn Brahm dives into tolerance, stressing that mere endurance of pain is insufficient. He advocates for understanding discomfort to find effective solutions and emphasizes rest for increased productivity. The discussion also covers the importance of empathy over passive tolerance, particularly in relationships and societal issues. With humor, he illustrates how our flaws can be learning opportunities. Ultimately, he champions investigation as a path to wisdom, compassion, and real change.

Ajahn Brahm shares humorous anecdotes and profound insights on celibacy, presenting it as a meaningful choice that challenges societal norms. He discusses the importance of restraint in living a civilized life and the role of conscience in guiding our actions. Contrasting single and partnered lives, he highlights the unique happiness found in solitude. Through engaging stories, he examines how modern complexities can be simplified through monastic living and celebrates singleness as beneficial not just personally but for the planet.

Ajahn Brahm discusses the idea of the "happiness industry," where there is a focus on finding happiness through seminars, classes, and other means. The author argues that this industry may not always address underlying social issues and may just promote changing one's attitude instead of taking action. He also discusses the overlap and potential contradiction between science and religion, particularly in addressing the story is about two Thai sisters who came to a monastery for counseling. The first sister had problems with her husband, while the other was struggling to find one. The counselor told them that changing their situation would only lead to a different form of suffering. This applies to all aspects of life, such as wealth, fame, or even owning a mobile phone. The happiness industry may tell us that achieving certain things will make us happy, but in reality, true happiness comes from within. — This dhamma talk was originally recorded using a low quality MP3 to save on file size on 6th July 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.

Thistalk is about the responsibility of Buddhists to contribute to social issues, such as global warming and social activism, as the religion continues to grow in numbers. It compares the Buddha's rejection of becoming a world leader to the temptation of Jesus in Christianity. It emphasizes the importance of understanding and adapting to the world, rather than trying to control it. Ajahn Brahm shares personal experiences, such as delayed flights and participating in interfaith dialogue, to illustrate this point. He emphasizes the importance of active listening and understanding in order to bring about positive change in relationships, health, and the workplace. — This dhamma talk was originally recorded using a low quality MP3 to save on file size on 6th July 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 briefly explores multiple suggestions for the topic of the talk, including the meaning of life, the approach to dealing with sick animals, separation, and procrastination. He then goes on to discuss the idea of procrastination as a useful tool in creating stillness and peace, and shares a story about a monk who declared his building project "finished" in the midst of an unfinished state. The author brings these ideas together to remind readers to prioritize stillness and peace in their lives. In order to understand the true meaning of life, we must prioritize what is most important to us. The highest purpose should be peace, happiness, contentment, and fulfillment. We often make the mistake of putting lesser purposes, such as work or being right, above these important aspects of life. — This dhamma talk was originally recorded using a low quality MP3 to save on file size on 6th July 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 the concept of interconnectedness, which is the idea that our actions and thoughts have a wider effect on others and the world around us. Ajahn Brahm talks about how small acts of kindness and caring can have a big impact, and encourages people to take responsibility for their actions. He also mentions a funny anecdote about a dancing lollipop lady in London. In this talk, Ajahn Brahm discusses the concept of interconnectedness and how small acts of kindness and happiness can spread, as well as the importance of detaching and disconnecting from negativity and being responsible for one's own happiness. --- This dhamma talk was originally recorded using a low quality MP3 to save on file size on 29th 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.

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.