Ajahn Brahm Podcast

Buddhism is often seen as a religion, way of life, philosophy, or practice. However, Ajahn Brahm believes that it is ultimately a practice that brings positive results in this life. The main goal of a Buddhist's spiritual life should be to cultivate kindness, patience, peace, and stopping. These qualities require effort and training, as they may not come naturally to us. — This dhamma talk was originally recorded using a low quality MP3 to save on file size on 7th December 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 explores the concept of craving and desire in Buddhist teachings, specifically how it relates to modern lifestyles. While the Buddhist teachings state that craving is the source of suffering, it is difficult to reconcile this in a world where material possessions and success are highly valued. Ajahn Brahm discusses the harm that excessive craving has caused to our planet and society, and asserts that the key to being happy is not accumulating more wealth and possessions, but rather learning to be content with what we have. He cites studies that talksabout how most people's desires for wealth and fame often lead to suffering and that these desires are often based on societal norms rather than wisdom. He gives examples of how people who live in big houses often have to work hard to maintain them and don't have time for relationships, and how being famous is actually not as great as people may think. He also shares a story about an abbot who kindly gives a burglar food and questions when he last ate. Buddhist teachings emphasize the importance of craving for the right things in life. Craving for wealth and material possessions can lead to suffering, while craving for qualities like kindness and compassion can bring true happiness. — This dhamma talk was originally recorded using a low quality MP3 to save on file size on 30th 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.

This talk explores the topic of power, and the two different types of power – the power to control and the power of kindness. It delves into the dangers of becoming too focused on control and having a big ego, as well as the dysfunctional nature of exerting power over others. The Buddhist perspective is that true power comes from understanding and being kind to oneself and others, rather than trying to control and dominate. — This dhamma talk was originally recorded using a low quality MP3 to save on file size on 16th 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.

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.