When it's too hot, keep a cool head. When it's too cold, keep a warm heart." Ajahn Brahm talks about changing our attitude to who we think we are and finding peace with our imperfection.
He brings fun and comedy into Buddhism. "When life shovels shit on you, shrug it off, tread it in, and you will always stand higher in life.” Priceless!!
Although I personally don’t know him, I spend at least 6 hours a day with him online listening to his talks and laughing at his silly jokes. It’s wonderful to think of AB as a good friend, someone who I can always go to when I’m troubled or when I’m going though one of life’s difficult lessons to learn a little bit of wisdom. He will always be there to lend a hand ... through thick or thin.
Wish I could listen to these on Spotify, in addition. In any case, I am a Sri Lankan Buddhist myself, having studied Dhamma and a bit of Abhidhamma myself back then, but to be honest, Ajahn Brahm delivers in such a unique and always-interesting manner that I have never heard of before. Far more effective than any other. Thank you for these videos ***** :)
great talk! thank you buddhistsocietywa for uploading all of these talks its a wonderful service you provide! thank you ajahn brahm for sharing your profound wisdom with us. may all who viewed this video find peace and contentment. sadhu sadhu sadhuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!
Thank you for this talk. I've been struggling with a lot of self loathing for a while. I don't understand it, a few months ago I was just starting to see me as a good thing. But something happened (not sure what) and I slid back in to not being able to see anything good about me or why I matter. So, this talk has helped me at least think about liking me again.
Lady Chanta I hear you and feel for you. I sometimes have this vague thought/feeling that we like 'puppets' and our strings are bing pulled, and we are left wondering why am I thinking this or doing that or feeling this way, where things that are not good for us. Its like 'someone' or 'something' ..maybe our own mind, just can't stand to see us (some of us)..happy, confident, well for very long. Its like taking 1 step forward and then for no apparent reanson sliding back 2 steps. That said, withought knowing you ..my guess is your minds deceiving you and you are a worthy and as good as anyone person, so try and stay positive! Peace
Lady Chanta I think the majority of us fall into slumps of self-loathing now and again; try not to be too hard on yourself for not feeling confident in yourself. In my own experience, one thing that always makes me feel better about myself is helping others. I think being around others and seeing that you can be useful and have a positive effect in the lives of others can help you gain a bit of perspective on the world and your place in it, and by focusing on your positive actions or good non-physical traits it is easier to find content in yourself and lasting confidence in yourself. Also, reminding yourself everyday of the good traits about yourself by writing them down. I hope you find happiness and confidence in yourself. You are a human being who matters and I'm positive there are many fantastic things about you! . u . /
The man at 46:36 was courageous to bring up the suffering that is inflicted by humanity upon animals through the consumption of meat. I love Ajahn Brahm's lighthearted and kindhearted dharma teachings and I think it would be good if he would highlight a vegetarian diet in all his talks.
Don't you see yet? We create our own reality. You are still stuck on one issue, it is the one I have been stuck on my whole life. The only solution to animal cruelty is not talking about it, but just being without it. You can't convince someone to stop eating meat, you and I know this. It only causes more resistance to the idea. The only way to convince them, is to show them with compassion
These words are so pertinent for the vast majority of people we connect with in daily life, why is it so hard for the average person to "really" take a look at themselves? Wonderful talk but then is there ever one that is not wonderful? Sadhu sadhu sadhu
I agree with the gentleman at the end who asked for gentle encouragement against the meat egg and dairy industries. Very simple choices can be made in our every day lives which can eliminate the suffering of thousands of beings in our lifetime. Why doesn't Ajahn Brahm promote this?
Ajahn Brahm is promoting this every time he speaks, Everytime he breathes, every time he is. Me from a few years ago would not understand why he sidestepped that question, but now I think I do. Yes, he could address that suffering of animals, but then he also should address the suffering of slave workers, and racial hate crimes, and verbal abuse to family members, and so on. Eventually you would be including all of existence in your promoting awareness of suffering. There is no way to talk about all the suffering in the world, all there is to do is remove yourself from it. All there is to answer it, compassion.
@@cameroncordova6448 Monks do not allow alcohol at monastaries. Why? Because alcohol is violent to the soul and can lead to physical violence as well. What is stopping them from simply taking the same attitude to the products of violence to animals? Many other monastaries forbid animal products. Ajahn Brahm does not allow human slavery, nor racism, nor domestic violence, but by permitting dead animals to enter his halls, he is complicit in the act.
I feel like a heel. I had no idea that Novak Djokovic may be a fellow Buddhist. No wonder he's been beating my favorite player Roger Federer...LOL. I started not to root for him 4-5 years ago because of his arrogant and self centered attitude. Then I noticed a change in him (how he carries himself, seemingly calmer, quieter in attitude) in the last 2 years, as well well winning his matches and beating everybody. Now I know.
AB’s comment about how some parts of the U.S. is still heavily racist is spot on. In fact, it has gotten worse. Some parts are behind the times and unwilling to move forward. But there are parts in America that are very open minded which is quite true.
Hi Max. Buddhist ethics focuses on self-destructive behavior, because it is very difficult to have control of the effect of our words on other people. We can say something that we think will make them happy and instead cause them a lot of suffering, anyone who has had a girlfriend or a wife knows this is true. So I think Ajahn Brahm is saying that we have to reduce our self-criticism and self-judgment; only by ceasing the habit of judging ourselves so harshly, and reminding ourselves of the mistakes we have made in the past; only then we can stop the bad habit of judging others harshly and constantly reminding them of the mistakes they made in the past.
You should see him now, 5 months later. His belly is even rounder....LOL. He reminds me of this Buddhist statue with a round belly, arms stretched up and either laughing or smiling or both. Sadhu 3X!
Great talk. If Gerry Brown is a Buddhist, he should show some compassion and release Leslie Van Houten. She’s been incarcerated for over 50 years, for 20 seconds of madness as a 19 year old. Come on Gerry...
If only he could just give short snappy to the point bite sized uploads... After several of ABs talks I feel burnt out ...just too many analogies, examples, anecdotes, stories etc etc It's quite disconcerting and condescending to feel like a 5yr old in Kindergarten being told a long long long extended version of some story. He certainly LOVES to talking! ...and to think everyone is just listening and listening throughout. I'd like to see him on a podium with other senior leaders of of other faiths ...and them debate why their religion is the right one or best one or a good one etc... Somehow i think it'd be good to see him to have to pause, respond and debate instead of just sitting and going on and on...without interuption or challenge. Ajahan Brahm for Monk of the Year! lol
The nature of his talks is to talk about a specific subject and to teach. Teaching uses stories and analogies. His talks are roughly an hour long. If you don't like the format, you are free to go watch something else. Freedom! It's not like mandatory school where you must sit and listen for hours. If you had really listened to him for such a long time, you'd know what Buddhism is. It has nothing to do with debating and proving oneself right and others wrong. The opposite is true. Sorry you wasted all that time and some important points didn't stick. Peace.
+kalhaai - Ahhhh, I see, now that explains why you reacted the way you did. I too am humbly learning, but I have chosen Lord Buddha not Ven. A.B. Metta :) P.s. Forgive, this has to be my last reply (I have important things to do) so please can you kindly share your thoughts with someone else. No more comments. Thankyou!
great talk! thank you buddhistsocietywa for uploading all of these talks its a wonderful service you provide! thank you ajahn brahm for sharing your profound wisdom with us. may all who viewed this video find peace and contentment. sadhu sadhu sadhuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!
