Dharma talks from monastics at Clear Mountain, an aspiring Buddhist Forest monastery in the greater Seattle area. The Forest Tradition represents a return to the simple way of life taught by the Buddha. Monastics aspire to live as the early disciples did: dwelling in the forest, studying the teachings, and devoting themselves to meditation. To learn more, visit https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org.
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Confessions of a Buddhist Scholar: Esotericism, Alchemy, & the Limits of Academia | Sarah Shaw Q&A
58:09
In this session, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho interview scholar and practitioner Dr. Sarah Shaw about Buddhism in academia in general and about breathing mindfulness in particular. Dr. Shaw's biography: Dr. Sarah Shaw is a faculty member and tutor at the University of Oxford, a fellow of the Oxford Centre for Buddhist Studies, and a visiting cont…
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In this session, Ajahn Kovilo speaks at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Palo Alto (his mother's home congregation) about his own history being raised in the Unitarian Church and its effect on the trajectory of his life. Topics explored include Henry David Thoreau's essay "Life Without Principle", the intersection of Buddhism and Unitarian Univ…
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In this talk, Ajahn Sādaro, visiting from Melbourne, Australia, speaks about the benefits and risks of using Large Language Models (LLMs) for Dhamma guidance. We may use these tools with wisdom, but knowing their limitations is essential. Bio Ajahn Sādaro ordained in the forest tradition in Thailand in 2005. After practicing throughout SE Asia, he …
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Devas, Māras, & Elephant Stories, Lay Stream Entry, & Wearing White in Buddhism | Ajahn Nisabho Q&A
52:52
In this Q&A session, Ajahn Nisabho speaks about how he personally cultivates compassion (karuṇā), means of counteracting smartphone and internet addiction, the upāsakā form and wearing white in Buddhist spaces, the protective power of loving-kindness (mettā), stories of demons, devas, and elephants, how to practice seclusion and renunciation, and l…
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In this talk, Ajahn Nisabho speaks about the relationship between dukkha (suffering, or stress) and time. Invoking the Christian concepts of chronos (choronological time) and kairos (sacred time), and orienting by the Buddha's description of a liberated state outside of time, we can navigate towards a greater spaciousness. Of special import is the …
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Beyond Matter: The Observer Effect, Timelessness, & the Primacy of Consciousness | Bogdan Staszewski
1:05:27
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1:05:27In this interview, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho interview Prof. R. Bogdan Staszewski about the intersection between Buddhist thought and quantum mechanics, focusing on the observer effect and the primacy of consciousness in shaping reality. Two other lectures by Prof. Bogdan on the subject: - "Is Consciousness in the Universe or Is the Universe i…
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Bhikkhunis, Butlers, & Card-Carrying Sotāpannas: A Non-PC Tour of Dhamma Diversity | Ajahn Munissara
58:38
In this talk, Ajahn Munissara describes the power of diversity in Dhamma communities and teachers, particularly in elevating female articulations which have been absent for so much of Buddhist history. She speaks about the fragility of unawakened views, the power of remaining open to other articulations of truth, the history of the bhikkhuni order,…
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Monk Life: ”Less Dreadful Than I Would’ve Thought” | Ajahn Narindo Q&A
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1:04:46In this session, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho interview Ajahn Narindo about lessons learned from the various phases of a modern monastic life. Biography of Ajahn Narindo: Ajahn Narindo was born in 1981 in the Netherlands, where he studied and worked in marketing and law. In his twenties he encountered Buddhism, began practicing the precepts, and …
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In this talk, Ayya Santussika, visiting with Ayya Cittananda from Karuna Buddhist Vihara (https://www.karunabv.org/) addresses the unease many feel with about the current state of the world, emphasizing how Dhamma practice and non-hatred can provide refuge. Ayya Santussika Bhikkhuni: Born in Illinois in 1954, Ayya Santussika began exploring meditat…
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Empty Space Alight: A Compassionate Theravāda Search for the Nature of Awareness | Guy Armstrong Q&A
59:56
In this session, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho interview renowned meditation teacher Guy Armstrong about his time as a monk with Ajahn Buddhadasa, the relationship between sense consciousness (viññana) and a deeper awareness, the Mahāyāna concept of Buddha nature, emptiness, and remaining grounded in the modern world. Guy's Biography: Guy Armstron…
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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, Onli…
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Deep Thai Buddhism: Soft Skills for a Hard Life & Living the Monk Dream | Ajahn Dan Thiracitto Q&A
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1:04:22In this session, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho interview Ajahn Dan Thiracitto about his experience as a Western forest monk in Thailand: living with Thai Krooba Ajahns, walking tudong, and living close to the earth. Resources mentioned in this conversation: - Luangta Maha Bua: Shedding Tears of Dhamma - https://youtu.be/iI5TQnYcFn8?si=yUJb3t2e4d_c…
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In this talk, Ayya Brahmavara speaks about the 4 vipallāsa or distortions of perception, described in the Vipallāsasutta AN 4.49 (https://suttacentral.net/an4.49/en/sujato?lang=en&layout=sidebyside&reference=none¬es=asterisk&highlight=false&script=latin), and how our clinging causes us to suffer. The Buddha's teachings, though counter to how muc…
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In this session Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho speak with Ayya Santussika and Ayya Cittananda live at Kuruna Buddhist Vihara. Ayya Santussika Bhikkhuni: Born in Illinois in 1954, Ayya Santussika began exploring meditation in the late seventies. She received BS and MS degrees in computer science while being a single mother. After working as a softwa…
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Not-Self-Help Guide: Upaṭṭhāking Luang Por Sumedho & the Beauty of Service | Ajahn Asoko Q&A
1:02:35
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1:02:35In this interview, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho interview Tan Ajahn Asoko, a senior monastic at Amaravati Buddhist Monastery in the UK and the primary attendant to Luang Por Sumedho. The focus of the interview was the ins-and-outs of serving as an attendant and caregiver. Biography of Tan Ajahn Asoko: Ajahn Asoko grew up in a village near Geneva …
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Tara & the Theras! Radical Acceptance & Radical Compassion in an Unraveling World | Tara Brach Q&A
1:04:40
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1:04:40In this interview, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho interview Tara Brach about her advice for practitioners dealing with fear and anger over the current state of the world, her relationship with faith and the Triple Gem, the R.A.I.N. approach to metabolizing difficult emotions, taking a "u-turn" in navigation of relationship, halos, unitarians, and m…
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A document describing how to honor the dead may be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/13H0UzWa73aLS1y6vVSANftAxZRjho76aozhZ5Tcjp2E/edit?usp=sharing. In this talk, Ajahn Nisabho speaks about maraṇasati, or recollection of death, as a path towards gratitude and heedfulness. He then describes how we can honor those who have passed, in ritu…
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Love Is the Only Thing ... Oh, and PBT, RFT, ACT & Infinite Relationality | Steven Hayes Q&A
1:04:21
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1:04:21In this session, Ajahn Nisabho interviews Steven Hayes, clinical psychologist and co-developer of acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) and process-based therapy (PBT). They speak about the panic attack that catalyzed Dr. Haye's path of healing, Relational Frame Theory, Acceptance Commitment Therapy, modern culture's lack of a transcendent articu…
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In celebration of Labor Day, in this session, Ajahn Kovilo speaks about Buddhist work ethics, addressing such questions as "What do Buddhist do anyways?" and "How well am I spending my time?" Suttas Addressed: (AN 1.324-327) - “Bhikkhus, whoever arouses energy in a badly expounded Dhamma and discipline dwells in suffering. For what reason? Because …
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”You’re Acting Like an Idiot. Just Stop It!” Finding a Teacher; Keeping Your Humor | Ajahn Mudito
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1:02:18In this interview, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho interview Ajahn Mudito, a monk of the Ajahn Chah Thai Forest Tradition and abbot of Suddhavāri Monastery in Brazil (https://suddhavari.org/). The theme of discussion was "Blunt, Unpopular Dhammic Truths for Westerners": the need for a teacher; "confronting" defilements; blindsponts for moderns; and …
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The Dhamma of Cold Plunging, Equanimity with News... & that New Apple Watch? | Ajahn Nisabho Q&A
45:13
In this Q&A session, Ajahn Nisabho speaks about how to work with the mind's craving for material objects, bringing up joy on the path, what's let go of after Stream Entry, the initial stage of Enlightenment, how to work with the news, and cold showers. ---- Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events! - We…
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First Awakening: The Irreversible Step of Sotāpanna | Ajahn Suchart Q&A
1:04:22
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1:04:22In this interview, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho interview Tan Ajahn Suchart Abhijāto about the Sotāpanna, or Stream Entry, the first stage of Enlightenment. They delve into how one knows such an experience is real, the fetters released through the experience, and the route of practice which most quickly leads to such insight. Tan Ajahn Suchart's …
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In this talk, Ayya Ānandabodhi, founder of Pārāyana Vihara (https://parayanavihara.org/), speaks about using metta, or loving-kindness practice, to loosen the knots that bind us to suffering, desire, and limited notions of self. Reflecting with insight on the transpersonal nature of life, and our good fortune in encountering the Dhamma, can help so…
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Monastic Training in Fourteen Points | Āyasmā Ariyadhammika Q&A
1:12:33
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1:12:33In this session, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho interview Āyasmā Ariyadhammika, spiritual director of Sāsanārakkha Buddhist Sanctuary (SBS), on the broad topic of monastic training in its various expressions in Myanmar, Thailand, Sri Lanka, and their synthesis in Malaysia at SBS. Specifically, the conversation delves into the fourteen courses of mo…
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In this session, Ajahn Kovilo suggests a 5-part taxonomy of the sukhas (happinesses & pleasures) taught by the Buddha: 1) pleasure like fire - kāma-sukha (sensual pleasures not to be pursued); 2) pleasures like fresh air - kusala/nekkhamma-sukha (wholesome/healthy pleasures to develop); 3) pleasures like space - vipassana/upasama-sukha (the pleasur…
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In this session, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho interview Bhante Joe Atulo, curator of www.dhammavinayapatipada.com. Subjects touched upon include: the Sri Lankan Forest tradition - its history and present, the happiness of respect, Bhante Ñāṇadīpa, and other relevant topics. You can find more of Bhante Joe's teachings at www.dhammavinayapatipada.c…
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Taoist Energies, Saṅkhāra’s Meaning, Buddhist Sleep Advice, & Awareness Itself | Ajahn Nisabho Q&A
47:24
In this Q&A session, Ajahn Nisabho speaks about looking at flavors of energy spoke of in Taoist tradition, a speculative overlay of some Taoist principles onto the traditional four Buddhist foundations of mindfulness, the meaning of sankhara (mental formations) and viññana (sense consciousness) in the five aggregates of clinging, Buddhist sleep adv…
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In this session, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho interview Khemarato Bhikkhu, creator of The Open Buddhist University - https://buddhistuniversity.net/. Khemarato's Bio: Khemarato Bhikkhu is a former software engineer from Silicon Valley where he worked on AI systems at Google and Facebook. He ordained in the Dhammayut Tradition in Thailand in 2019 …
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In this Q&A session, Ajahn Nisabho speaks about the role of emptiness (suññata) in Buddhism, specifically referencing the image of an extinguished flame described in MN 72 ("To Vacchagotta on Fire" - https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/MN/MN72.html ), and elaborated on in Ajahn Thanissaro's "Mind Like Fire Unbound" (https://www.accesstoinsight.org/l…
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In this session, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho interview their friends Jin Chuan Shi and Jin Wei Shi of the Dharma Realm Buddhist Association, Berkeley Buddhist Monastery, & Redwood Vihara. Discussion touches upon embodiment, loving-kindness, non-violent communication, and restorative practices. Find out more about Jin Chuan Shi, Jin Wei Shi, and …
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In this session, Ajahn Kovilo speaks about what to do when it seems like you've reached a wall in practice or in life. He specifically touches on six psycho-physical meditational movements for freedom found in the definition of the Third Noble Truth – the Cessation of Dukkha and mirrored in the framework of Loch Kelly's "Shift Into Freedom": (1) vi…
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In this session, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho interview Ayyā Sucittā about her path into the Theravāda, Koan practice, her encounters with nature, Natural Law, and other aspects of her teaching and path. To learn more or support Ayya Sucitta's hermitage, contact her steward, Jason Bartlett, at [email protected], [email protected], …
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One Excellent Night–Every Day: Thirteen Years of Dhamma from a Korean Mountain | Ayyā Sucittā
47:53
In this talk, Ayyā Sucitta, visiting from South Korea, speaks about her path into Theravāda robes, her love of the early texts, and lessons learned from her pre-dawn pilgrimagse to a mountain stream during her thirteen years of retreat. Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events! - Wednesday Evening Teach…
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The Freedom of Wandering: Reflections of an Itinerant Monk | Guṇavīro Bhikkhu Q&A
1:03:01
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1:03:01In this session, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho interview Guṇavīro Bhikkhu on the topic of "tudong" - wandering on faith. They speak about his learning in the Goenka tradition, advice for would-be wanderers, & experiences with hardship and blessing. Gunaviro Bhikkhu's Biography: Gunaviro Bhikkhu (Jeffrey Hancuff) is a Buddhist monk. He began practi…
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In this talk, Ajahn Kovilo speaks about the power of habit in a Buddhist context and speaks about specific ways we can upgrade our practice of generosity, integrity, and meditation during the upcoming 3-month Rains Retreat (vassa). The "habit-loop" framework of "cue-routine-reward" from Charles Duhigg's "The Power of Habit" is introduced as a metho…
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00:09 Thai Original Talk 22:41 English Translation In this talk - in Thai with English translation - Luang Por Damrong Siribhaddho, abbot of Wat Pah Nam KamGeung, Thailand speaks of Luang Por Damrong Biography: Luang Por Damrong Siribhaddo has been a bhikkhu for 56 years. He acts as the preceptor for many of Luang Por Chah’s disciples in Thailand. …
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00:10 - Thai Original Talk 21:07 - English Translation In this talk - in Thai with English translation - Luang Por Khoon Aggadhammo, abbot of Wat Pah PoSuwan, Thailand speaks about the power of the Triple Gem, the Five Precepts, Three Types of Wisdom, the Eight Worldly Winds, and the Eightfold Noble Path. Luang Por Khoon Biography: Luang Por Khoon …
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In this interview - in Thai with English translation - Ajahn Kovilo speaks with and translates the teachings of Luang Por Damrong Siribhaddho, abbot of Wat Pah Nam KamGeung. Luang Por Damrong Biography: Luang Por Damrong Siribhaddo has been a bhikkhu for 56 years. He acts as the preceptor for many of Luang Por Chah’s disciples in Thailand. Tune in …
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In this interview - in Thai with English translation - Ajahn Kovilo speaks with and translates the teachings of Luang Por Khoon Aggadhammo, abbot of Wat Pah PoSuwan. Luang Por Khoon Biography: Luang Por Khoon Aggadhammo has been a monk for 59 years. Having lived and studied for years under Luang Por Chah and having trained with Luang Por Sumedho fo…
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Freedom Behind Bars: Buddhist Prison Chaplaincy | Thubten Chodron & the Sravasti Prison Project
1:00:00
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1:00:00In this video, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho interview Ven. Jigme, Ven. Ngawang, Ven Gyatso, & Thubten Chodron on the subject of the Sravasti Abbey Prison Dharma Project. For more information about Sravasti Abbey and the Prison Dharma Project, visit: https://sravastiabbey.org/who-we-are/how-we-help/ Short Description of the Prison Dharma Project: …
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Open, Free, Unentangled, Interconnected: Community Building with the Bojjhaṅgas | Ayya Ānandabodhī
15:58
In this session from the Clear Mountain June 28th, 2025 Alms Giving Ceremony, Ayya Ānandabodhī of Pārāyana Vihāra (https://parayanavihara.org/) speaks about allowing the Seven Factors of Enlightenment to unfurl. Ayya Ānandabodhī's Biography: Ayya Ānandabodhī was born and raised in Wales, UK. Ayya first encountered the Buddha’s teaching in her early…
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In this talk, given at the 2025 Clear Mountain Almsgiving Ceremony, Luang Por Sona speaks about his early days as a monk, and the lessons he learned about humility, agility, and keeping a warm heart and cool head. Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events! - Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 …
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Ajahn Sona’s Hot Take on ”Greek & Persian Influence in Early Buddhism” | Ajahn Sona Q&A
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1:02:32In this session, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho interview Ajahn Sona of Birken Monastery on the topic of his recent video "Greek & Persian Influence On Early Buddhism" (https://youtu.be/UDZK_V2wnt4?si=uz7ZQxr_t8CLU_dO). Ajahn Sona's Bio: Ajahn Soṇa is the founder and abbot of Birken Forest Monastery. Born in Canada in 1954, Ajahn Soṇa's background …
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In this talk, Bhante Rahula, visiting from Paññabhumi monastery in Guadalajara, speaks about how conscious gratitude and recollection of one's virtue can serve as a cure for the various ailments of the mind. Carefully documenting the goodness in one's life represents an important task for practitioners hoping to cultivate a bright heart. To find ou…
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Post-Materialist Science: Telepathic Communication & Terminal Lucidity | Marjorie Woollacott Q&A
55:00
In this session, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho speak with Marjorie Woollacott about the research behind the Telepathy Tapes (https://thetelepathytapes.com/) and the phenomenon of near-death lucidity. For more information about Dr. Woolacott and her work, visit: https://marjoriewoollacott.com/ Marjorie Woollacott's Biography: Marjorie Woollacott Ph…
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In this talk, Ajahn Nisabho speaks about Māra, the Buddhist embodiment of death and that which hinders liberation, and how we can overcome his influence through clear knowing. 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) - Sat…
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The Non-Protesting Mind: Great Perfection in Broken Times | Ayyā Jitindriyā & Samaneri Jayasāra
59:06
In this session, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho interview Ayyā Jitindriyā & Samaneri Jayasāra of Viveka Hermitage about how to relate to current events, non-dual practice, psychotherapy advice for the world, dealing with tragedy, and Dzogchen. BIO On Samaneri Jayasara and Ayya Jitindriya's YouTube channel, you'll find ancient Buddhist teachings nex…
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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…
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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 Arr…
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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 fe…
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