#9 Ajahn Achalo - A Generous Talk With Thai Forest Monk

Escaping Samsara

Ajahn Achalo an Australian buddhist monk and current abbot of Anandagiri Forest Monastery in North Thailand. He was born in Brisbane and ordained in the lineage of Ajahn Chah in 1996. In recent times he has created some extensive online teachings that are proving popular on meditation apps, Spotify and the like. You can find his writings and Dharma talks on the website of the monastery.

In this conversation, Ajahn Achalo generously shared his thoughts on many intricate aspects of Buddhist practice. The ease and open-heartedness with which he engaged in conversation with us is something very special. Listen in.

Show notes

• Listening to the sound of the waves
• First spiritual instruction from a hippie in a new age bookstore
• From discovering Metta meditation to recording guided instructions for practitioners
• Will Metta come automatically if you practice enough Vipassana?
• How death mediation practice can lead to enhanced self aversion
• Core toolbox meditation practices, qualities of the Buddha and how to relate to them
• Brahma Viharas and Jhana meditation, becoming and desire energies in our practice
• Dangers of overestimating your results, difference between Upacara Samadhi and Jhana
• Role of contentment and gratitude, and the practice of celibacy
• The story of the forest monk
• Intentions in Metta meditation and the importance of carrying them into the world
• Exploring teachings of different schools of Buddhism, learning from Dalai Lama
• The story behind Nathan's Maitreya tattoo
• New books and the story behind Ajahn Achalo's over 3500 hrs of meditation at Bodh Gaya
• What constitutes Enlightenment

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