Q1 - Dear Ajahn, I am having trouble understanding how a sotapanna becomes free from doubt in rebirth. Other factors of dependent origination one can observe directly, for example I can see in the present that feeling leads to craving. Thus, one can overcome doubt regarding this aspect of Dhamma and many others. However, regarding rebirth, to directly observe the process driving it, one would have to have special psychic abilities to remember their previous deaths and rebirths. So, lacking the ability to see it, how can one overcome doubt regarding the process by which rebirth occurs? Even if one sees craving driving bhava (becoming) in the present, how could they be sure this would continue after death? Thank you.
14:15 Q2 - Dear Ajahn, Whenever I try to meditate for a longer period I will feel pressure building up on my head. How do I overcome this problem?
16:21 Q3 - Dear Ajahn, a close relative suffers from persistent neck, back, and other joint pain. In meditations, you have talked about directing your attention to pain to acknowledge that this is just pain in the body. Could you talk about this some more? Can mental practices like this help even outside of the meditation period?
22:10 Q4 - Dear Ajahn. May I know if the words ‘sentient beings’ encompasses departed relatives, devas and locality deities too? I would like to offer merits to all the beings in all the realms whenever I do any offerings in future. I don’t wish to miss out anyone.
Thanks so much for your guidance here, Ajahn.
23:14 Q5 - Dear Ajahn. I read that humans make up just 0.01% of Earth’s life (i.e. animals). If the denominator includes beings such as hungry ghosts and hell denizens, then humans likely make up a much smaller percentage of the 6 realms of beings. This gives credence to the Lord Buddha’s statement that the human rebirth is extremely rare. I understand that a human rebirth is assured if one can hold the five precepts habitually. Most people around us seem to keep the 5 precepts and are generally decent, so it’s surprising that humans make up such a low percentage. Is it the case that the laws of karma are terribly strict (such that the effects of bad acts are magnified), or are the majority of beings really that wretched? Thank you!
26:08 Q6 -What is shunyata? I feel when all positives and negatives go to zero that state is shunyata. Please could you comment?
31:38 Q7 - Dear Ajahn. Why do you think it is so difficult for one to look inwards compared to one looking outwards at others? I have to be very mindful 24/7 to bring my mind inwards and tell myself to mind my own business instead of others’ business. This practice isn’t easy, but I know it’s doable. However, in the case of educating a child a parent one has to look outwardly at how the child behaves and correct them at appropriate times. In this case, how should a parent be practising to look “inwards” more than outwards.
37:56 Q8 - Dear Ajahn, I feel dispassionate with my household life since I started meditating, I used to love sport, not anymore, I don't like socializing, I prefer solitude. Can you give some advice, please. Thank you
41:29 Q9 - Dear Ajahn, thank you so much for your time. Sometimes in meditation there is a heaviness in the heart/diaphram area as well as some dark clouds that cover parts of brightness in the mind. Can Ajahn provide some guidance on how to work with this energy?
45:12 Q10 - Dear Ajahn. I do not have any cravings to reach any stages of jhana, is this alright? I only strive to improve myself to let go on a daily basis and I have made strong aspirations to improve my sitting and cultivation, hoping to maintain mindfulness and calmness until my final liberation. Achieving jhana stage to me is like, aiming to get and ‘A’ gain a High Distinction. I feel stressed even thinking about it. I prefer to be an average person. Is this the right view to begin with? Many thanks for your guidance here. Does one need to reach to a jhana stage in order for one to be fully liberated?
15 окт 2024
