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Live from Birken Dhamma QampA with Ajahn Sona 11122023
>> YOUR LINK HERE: ___ http://youtube.com/watch?v=gEIYIDhe3cw
Join us on Sunday as Ajahn Sona answers Dhamma questions from listeners around the world. Questions may be submitted during the live chat (opens ~3:00pm day of stream) or in advance, here: https://bit.ly/LivestreamQnA • Ajahn Sona Podcast: • Apple - http://bit.ly/AppleAjSona • Spotify - http://bit.ly/SpotifyAjSona • Podbean - http://bit.ly/PodbeanAjSona • Index of Questions: • 00:00 - Intro • 00:26 - SELF FEELINGS: In DN 15 the Buddha refutes various ways in which self relates to feelings. One of the views he refutes is “feeling is not my self, but my self is not without experience of feeling.” He refutes it by saying if feeling were to cease without remainder then in the complete absence of feeling with the cessation of feeling, could the idea “I am this” occur there? Can you explain how this refutes the original claim? Couldn’t someone argue that sometimes the self feels and sometimes it doesn’t? • 04:29 - MEDITATION: As I learn more about the various schools of Buddhism and other spiritual practices, I am beginning to see differences relating to the kinds of meditations they do. It seems like there are an infinite number of options. Other than anapana and metta, what are the most common meditations done in Theravada? Are there any kinds of meditation Theravada practitioners avoid? • 07:55 - CONSCIOUSNESS (VIÑÑANA) We are consciously aware of painful and pleasant feelings. Why are these not included in viññana, since they are directly experienced just like vision, sound, taste, etc? • 11:53 - PRECEPTS: My son is very involved with Scouts. This year his troop will do a fishing field trip. He is very excited. Is letting him go breaking the first precept? I want to guide him, but not impose my beliefs. • 15:32 - SEXUAL ORIENTATION: Could you give some thoughts about if there is a relationship between the underlying tendencies and genetics? What were the Buddha's thoughts about the now named sexual orientation? • 23:55 - CONSCIOUSNESS : In MN 49, the Buddha tells Baka Brahma he found consciousness that is signless, boundless, radiant all around, that’s not based on the elements, the gods, brahmas, or the all. What is the Buddha praising here and why is it supposed to impress the Mahabrahma? • 30:06 - EMPATHY: What can I practice that will stop me from having empathetic suffering when people lay their troubles on me? Should I isolate more? • 33:53 - THE SPIRITUAL WARRIOR : Could you share some reflections on the archetype of the spiritual warrior ? It's frequently mentioned in the Thai Forest tradition, especially by the kruba ajahns, and seems potentially useful in our battle with the kilesas. How do I separate the connotation of war and violence from this image? • 36:19 - PANIC ATTACKS: During silent retreats I will have one or two panic attacks. Sometimes they can last for an hour or more. Have you had students like this? • 39:44 - END OF LIFE: If one was to end one’s life through voluntarily stopping eating and drinking, is this considered a karmic mistake by Buddhism? • 41:38 - LIGHTS IN MEDITATION: When meditating, I saw a twinkling light like a starlight. And became bright like sunlight. Can I keep meditating like this? I'm curious about the process after this. • 43:00 - JHANA: Could you speak to the differences/similarities of Theravadin jhana practice and Vajrayana Dzogchen/Mahamudra practice? • 46:57 - STAGES OF ENLIGHTENMENT: A Sotapanna is said to live no more than up to seven more lifetimes. What are the governing factors that make one reach liberation in a single lifetime and another one seven more lifetimes? • 49:53 - EMPTINESS: Would you please speak to the actual practice of emptiness, the ways to deepen one's direct knowing of emptiness, such as the Buddha describes in MN121? • 55:41 - REINCARNATION: Do we reincarnate within a time lapse and how long does it usually take in earth time?
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