Ajahn Brahm Podcast

Stories about living with a master in Thai monasteries make Buddhist teachings practical and alive. Tales of illness, aging, and funerals show how to accept mortality without fear. Lessons on simplicity, equality, and letting go replace status and craving. Humorous, direct examples illustrate practical compassion, honesty, patience, and the freedom that comes from releasing attachment.

Ajahn Brahm discusses the Buddhist perspective on fundamentalism and its negative effects on religion and society. The Buddha's teaching states that true religion and spirituality will lead to peace and harmony, not create more problems. Ultimately, the goal is to promote harmony and peace. The problem with fundamentalism in our world is that it is based on faulty reasoning and limited experience, and it often creates an "us vs. them" mentality. One way to combat fundamentalism is to share truths and show kindness to those who hold different beliefs, as this can be disarming and can present a different perspective. Buddhists, in particular, should focus onactively helping others and publicizing their good deeds to counter the misconception that they are only concerned with their own enlightenment. — 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.

In this talk, Ajahn Brahm discusses the topic of conflict and suggests that people should have compassion and understanding towards their enemies. He emphasizes that people should focus on criticizing the action rather than the person, as attacking the person will only lead to more conflict. The speaker also suggests seeing the good qualities in others, even if they are obnoxious, in order to create a bridge between enemies and promote reconciliation. He ends by mentioning the importance of this approach during the holiday season, when people come together with family. In conflicts, we only see the negative behaviors of the other person. If we can look deeper and find something to respect and value in them, we can create a bridge and have a better understanding. This can lead to forgiveness and letting go of the past. --- — 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.

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.