Clear Mountain Monastery Project

Join Kim Tull-Esterbrook, Steve Wilhelm, Alison Thomas, and Nicole Jarosinski as they embark on an inspiring journey to establish Clear Mountain Monastery. They discuss their recent milestone of securing a potential 90-acre site near North Bend, highlighting the monastery's goals and phased development plan. The guests share insights on community involvement and fundraising efforts, revealing how listeners can contribute and support this meaningful project. Uncover the fascinating connections to the Thai Forest Tradition and the vision for a tranquil refuge accessible to the Seattle community.

Ajahn Nisabho, a senior monastic teacher in the Forest Tradition of Buddhism, delves into the transformative power of the Brahmavihārās—loving-kindness, compassion, rejoicing, and equanimity. He shares practical metta practices, including simple phrases to engage loving-kindness daily. Stories illustrate how compassion can reach even the hardest hearts, while upholding equanimity can help navigate difficult relationships. By engaging with these practices, Nisabho suggests we can cultivate deep emotional richness and clarity, ultimately leading to liberation.

In this engaging discussion, Joseph Goldstein, a veteran meditation teacher and co-founder of the Insight Meditation Society, shares his insights on the Four Foundations of Mindfulness. He explores the concept of 'plop mind' and the importance of clear comprehension in daily life. Goldstein discusses the balance between using single techniques and multiple tools in practice, along with the transformative power of rapture in meditation. He also sheds light on non-clinging awareness, drawing intriguing comparisons between mindfulness and Dzogchen.

Ayya Suvijjānā and Ayya Niyyānika, both fully ordained Theravāda Buddhist monastics, dive into the four aspects of mindfulness and clear comprehension. They discuss how to apply purpose, suitability, domain, and non-delusion to enhance awareness in daily life. Personal anecdotes illuminate the practical use of recollection to combat common hindrances like sloth. The conversation also emphasizes the importance of community support and formal practices, along with tips on using mantras to sustain mindfulness beyond meditation.

Venerable Chandaratana Panyadure, a Sri Lankan Theravada Buddhist monk and deputy abbot, shares profound insights into meditation and mindfulness. He discusses the impact of Ven. Matara Ñāṇārāma on Sri Lanka’s forest tradition and how forest monasteries foster spiritual growth. Chandaratana emphasizes the importance of Satipaṭṭhāna, practical methods like mindful walking, and the joy found in Dhamma practice. He also reflects on the role of Pāḷi in teachings and the balance of lay engagement in politics, offering a holistic view of modern Buddhist practice.

Ajahn Kovilo, a monastic teacher in the Thai Forest tradition, dives into fascinating Buddhist concepts. He explores the balance of radical introversion and extroversion, emphasizing the Middle Way. Ajahn introduces the idea of interoception, helping practitioners connect with their inner bodies, and discusses the concept of not-self through sensory awareness. He presents the Nine Breath Challenge, guiding listeners in finding peace through recitation. This session is a rich blend of theory and practice for those seeking deeper meditation insights.

Stephen Mugen Snyder, Roshi, is a Zen meditation teacher and founder of Awakening Dharma, with a rich background in multiple Buddhist traditions. He shares insights from his transformative Pau Auk retreat, detailing practical techniques for deepening jhāna and the essence of Cessation and Awakening. Mugen emphasizes the value of innate goodness, outlines the interplay of different meditation practices, and explores the relationship between Zen and Theravāda traditions, including the nuances of awakening qualities and the 'accordion effect' of personal growth.

Thubten Chodron, a Tibetan Buddhist nun and founder of Sravasti Abbey, brings nearly 50 years of wisdom to the discussion. She reveals how the self-centered mind is our true enemy and discusses the common deceptions it uses. With humor, she emphasizes the importance of seeing others' happiness as vital as our own. Chodron shares a captivating story about a horse in Tibet and offers practical techniques to alleviate anger and cultivate compassion, stressing the universal quest for happiness.

Neuroscientist and philosopher Sam Harris shares insights from his profound spiritual journey. He recounts how an MDMA experience ignited his path toward meditation and Eastern philosophy. Discussing his encounters with notable figures like Ram Dass and Poonjaji, Harris navigates the tension between gradual Vipassana practice and radical nondualism. He highlights the transformative Dzogchen teachings and the critical role of a teacher in pointing out nondual awareness, ultimately illustrating the practical value in alleviating psychological suffering.

In this talk, Bhante Sumitta, joining Clear Mountain on a special occasion with 13 other monastics, speaks about the power of mettā, or loving-kindness, in developing the 11 benefits described by the Buddha in the Mettā Sutta (AN 11.15 - https://suttacentral.net/an11.15/en/sujato?lang=en&layout=plain&reference=none&notes=asterisk&highlight=false&script=latin). Apart from helping one feel confident in any group, the practice can help one find forgiveness, and even approach death with serenity. Bio Bhante Sumitta is the founder of “Dhamma USA”, a community-based charity organization to launch his community care and spiritual care activities. Bhante is actively engaged in social welfare and spiritual care activities in California and other states by conducting Dhamma Talks, Sutta Discussions, Meditations and Pali Language Classes apart from helping many under privileged families and children in Sri Lanka. Dhamma USA is also helping children education projects in India. Bhante Sumitta is currently a PhD Research scholar at the University of the West and is pursuing his research thesis on “Philosophy of Arahanta Ideal as Depicted in Mahaniddesa”. At his school, University of the West, Bhante Sumitta started “UWest Pali Society” to promote Pali studies and Buddhist Art & Culture. A weeklong Budart Exhibition was co-organized by Bhante Sumitta along with Budart. He works as an Adjunct Faculty at the University of the West in several Departments teaching Ethics in Buddhist Ministry; Fundamentals of Buddhism; Introduction to Buddhist Psychology and more. He works as a prison care volunteer for Engaged Buddhist Alliance in Southern California apart from teaching at Home Boys Industries in Los Angeles from time to time. Prior to arriving at United States, venerable has been working at the Bhiksu University of Sri Lanka as a Senior Lecturer in English. He has completed 2 Bachelor Degrees and 3 Master Degrees prior to pursuing his doctoral Degree at the University of the West. To learn more, visit https://www.dhammausa.org/ ---- To join via Zoom on Saturdays, visit Clear Mountain Monastery's website and click on the link for the Saturday Morning Meditation, Teaching, & Coffee Social (https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/events/saturday/) To participate in the Saturday chanting, use the pdf found here: https://cdn.amaravati.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/30/Chanting-Book-Vol-1-Web.pdf Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events! - Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:45 pm PT, YouTube then Zoom) - Saturday Morning Meditation, Teaching, & Coffee Social (9:30 - 11 am PT, Online & In-Person) - Sunday Evening “Mission Majjhima!” Sutta Teaching & Discussion (5:00 - 6 pm PT, Online) See https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/ or visit https://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!