Clear Mountain Monastery Project

In this talk, Ajahn Kovilo reflects on 6 of the “Universal Beautiful” mental factors (sobhana-sādhāraṇa-cetāsika) – 1) settledness (passaddhi); 2) softness (mudutā); 3) lightness (lahutā); 4) suppleness (kammaññatā); 5) savviness (pāguññatā); and 6) uprightness (ujukatā) – suggesting the following poem as a memory aid: Settled softness space-that’s-light, Supple savvy mind-upright. The image of an anchor (one’s meditation object of focus) in the ocean (the big mind that exhibits all the “Universal Beautiful” mental factors) is given as an aide to keep the mind both collected and open. Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events! - Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:30 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!

In this session, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho interview Luang Por Puṇṇadhammo of Arrow River Hermitage. Ajahn Puṇṇadhammo Bio: Ajahn Punnadhammo is the abbot of Arrow River Forest Hermitage in Northern Ontario, Canada. Born in Toronto in 1955, at the age of 23, he began studying Buddhism under Kema Ananda, the founder and first teacher of the Arrow River Center. In 1990, at the age of 35, Ajahn Punnadhammo ordained into the Ajahn Chah forest tradition in Thailand and stayed there for the next five years largely based at Wat Pah Nanachat, the International Forest Monastery. After his fifth year in robes, his first teacher, Kema Ananda, contracted lung cancer and, with death imminent, he asked Ajahn Punnadhammo to return to Canada to assume management of the Arrow River Center. Ajahn Punnadhammo returned with the blessing of his seniors in the order in November of 1995 and was able to spend time with his beloved teacher before his death. Since its founder's passing, Arrow River Forest Hermitage has continued as a place of practice and refuge for both monastics and lay visitors with Ajahn Punnadhammo as its abbot. You may find more at https://arrowriver.ca/ Ajahn Punnadhammo is the author of extensively researched "The Buddhist Cosmos: A Comprehensive Survey of the Early Buddhist Worldview; according to Theravāda and Sarvāstivāda sources", "Letters from Māra - an insightful and creative allegory in the spirit of C.S. Lewis' "Screwtape Letters", and many other writings which can be found at For more info, visit: https://www.arrowriver.ca/dhamma.html The link to the 6:45-7:30 pm Zoom session following the livestream may be found on the event listing at https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/events/wednesday/. Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events! - Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:30 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!

In this "Q&A and Community Stories" session, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho answer questions about love and Saṅgha, the flame of awareness, merit, and how to relate to grief. In the "Community Stories" section, Clear Mountain community members Alejandro, Lynne, and Louis share how they came to the Dhamma and what it's meant to them. Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events! - Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:30 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!

In this session, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho interview the author and Performance Whisperer, George Mumford about his journey into mindfulness and his experience of its utility and function in expert performance. To learn more about George, visit: https://georgemumford.com/ George's Bio: George Mumford, a.k.a. The Performance Whisperer, is a globally recognized speaker, teacher, and pioneer in sports psychology and performance. Since 1989, he’s been honing his groundbreaking performance and mindfulness techniques with people from locker rooms to board rooms, Yale to jail — as Phil Jackson’s ‘Secret Weapon’ to winning eight NBA Championships, helping Michael Jordan transform his leadership, and teaching Kobe Bryant to “just be.” George’s work incorporates principles based in positive psychology, mindfulness, philosophy, neuroscience, the recovery movement, group and organizational dynamics, and spiritual traditions from around the world, all informed by his own inspirational journey. The link to the 6:45-7:30 pm Zoom session following the livestream may be found on the event listing at https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/events/wednesday/. Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events! - Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:30 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!

In this talk, Ajahn Nisabho speaks about the workings of kamma, and how we can apply appropriate attention, or yoniso manasikara, to cultivate the kamma for the ending of kamma. Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events! - Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:30 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!

CHAPTERS 0:00:00 – Intro 0:00:09 – Welcome 0:00:24 – Bio of Yuval Noah Harari 0:01:12 – How Yuval’s First Meditation Retreat Changed His Life, and What a Goenka Retreat Looks Like 0:06:36 – Going Beyond Goenka’s Teachings: Exploring the Pāḷi Canon and Buddhism (Does Yuval Consider Himself a Buddhist?) 0:12:18 – Yuval’s Take on the Noble Truths: The Cause and Cessation of Suffering, and Transcending It Through the Noble Eightfold Path 0:15:53 – Hackable Humans: The Importance of Meditation in the Age of Data and Algorithms 0:24:27 – How to Become Less Hackable: Introspection and Its Role in Humanity’s Evolution 0:28:54 – Designing an Information Diet to Counter Algorithms That Hack Our Attention 0:33:58 – Is There Room for an Intense Information Diet That Eschews All Media and Focuses Solely on the Dhamma? 0:35:49 – Staying Centered in the Midst of Fame and Repute: Handling Gain, Honor, and Praise 0:39:00 – Yuval’s Reflection on Pascal’s Observation: “All of Humanity’s Suffering Stems From the Inability to Sit Quietly in a Room Alone” 0:41:34 – How Secularism Can Blind People to Evidence for Rebirth: Yuval’s Perspective 0:46:00 – Avoiding Attachment to Views as Buddhists: A Dhamma Perspective 0:49:03 – Lightning Round Questions: • 0:49:18 – Have You Ever Thought About Ordaining? • 0:50:58 – If You Were the Buddha’s Father, Would You Have Inclined the Young Bodhisatta Toward Becoming a Wheel-Turning Monarch or Toward the Path of Renunciation? • 0:51:50 – If Stranded on a Desert Island With Two Books, What Would They Be? • 0:52:37 – If You Had 24 Hours Left to Live, How Would You Use That Time? How Much of It Would Be Spent Meditating? • 0:53:12 – Your Most Unexpected or Interesting Encounter With a Leading Intellectual or World Leader? • 0:54:16 – What One Piece of Advice Would You Give to Buddhists in General? • 0:57:30 – Which Sutta (Other Than the Satipaṭṭhāna Sutta) Do You Find Especially Meaningful? • 0:58:12 – Goenka’s Guidance on Observing Pleasure With Equanimity vs. the Concept of “Healthy Pleasure” in the Tipiṭaka • 1:04:03 – Gratitude for Yuval’s Advocacy: Speaking on Compassion for Animals and Meditation in his Books 1:06:00 – Recognizing Goenka Meditation as a Gateway to Buddhism, and an Invitation for Yuval to Visit Seattle 1:06:23 – Outro REFERENCES: [Book] Sapiens - A Brief History of Humankind https://www.ynharari.com/book/sapiens-2/ [Book] Homo Deus - A Brief History of Tomorrow https://www.ynharari.com/book/homo-deus/ [Book] 21 Lessons for the 21st Century https://www.ynharari.com/book/21-lessons-book/ [Book] Nexus - A Brief History of Information Networks from the Stone Age to AI https://www.ynharari.com/book/nexus/ In this session, Ajahn Nisabho and Ajahn Kovilo interview historian, philosopher, and bestselling author Yuval Noah Harari, touching on such topics as meditation, Buddhism, AI, and attachment to views. Yuval's Biography: Yuval Noah Harari is a historian, philosopher, and bestselling author of Sapiens, Homo Deus, 21 Lessons for the 21st Century, and - his newest book - Nexus. His books have sold over 45 million copies in 65 languages, making him one of the world’s most influential intellectuals. Born in Israel in 1976, he earned his PhD from Oxford and has lectured at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. Harari co-founded Sapienship, a social impact company focused on education and storytelling. He frequently engages with global leaders and has spoken at the World Economic Forum, TED, and major news outlets. His work explores history, AI, technology, and the future of humanity, with a focus on ethical and existential challenges. Most relavent for our conversation today, Yuval is a long-time meditator - having sat his first Goenka Vipassana retreat when he was 24 years old - who maintains a daily sitting practice of 2 hours per day and who makes time in his busy schedule for at least 1-2 months of silent meditation retreat every year. Join our Weekly Clear Mountain Gatherings: - Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:30 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!

Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events! - Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:30 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!

Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events! - Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:30 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!

Ajahn Kovilo explores the transformative power of the Thai Forest Tradition, discussing how communal living fosters mindfulness and spiritual awakening. The conversation highlights the 'overview effect' experienced by astronauts, emphasizing the challenge of retaining profound insights in everyday life. Personal anecdotes reveal the contrast between chaotic urban life and the tranquility of forest monasteries. The podcast also dives into practices promoting mental clarity, emotional detachment, and the unique benefits of sensory deprivation tanks for relaxation and mindfulness.

In this interview, Luang Por Jundee, a senior disciple of Luang Por Chah and abbot of Wat Pah Ampawan, speaks about Luang Por Chah's strategies of training, advice on giving, and how we can be near to a teacher we've never met. Biographies Luang Por Jundee Venerable LP Jundee Kantasāro who was ordained by Venerable Luang Por Chah in 1975, was born in one of the neighbouring villages to Wat Pah Pong in 1953. He is a part of the first group of monks to be ordained by Luang Por Chah. Since childhood he was close to the monastery since his father was leading the villagers in practicing with LP Chah on observance days for many years. In his early years LP Jundee was sent to Wat Pah Nanachat to practice with the international sangha and later joined the first branch in Australia for 2 years. LP Jundee was asked by LP Sumedho to help teaching abroad and has many times assisted LP Liem on international travels. Currently he is the abbot of Wat Pah Ampawan, which is situated to the east of Bangkok in the district of Chonburi. It hosts between 40 and 60 monks. -- The link to the 6:45-7:30 pm Zoom session following the livestream may be found on the event listing at https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/events/wednesday/. Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events! - Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:30 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!