Ajahn Brahm Podcast

Buddhism doesn't follow a specific holy book like other religions do. The essence of Buddhism lies in the truth and wisdom that can be found within one's own mind through meditation, rather than in any written texts. In this talk, Ajahn Brahm, discusses the importance of understanding and applying the teachings of Buddhism in everyday life. He emphasizes the need for meditation and stillness as a means of developing intelligence and wisdom, and encourages individuals to think for themselves instead of blindly following religious leaders. — This dhamma talk was originally recorded using a low quality MP3 to save on file size on 12th October 2007. It has now been remastered and published by the Everyday Dhamma Network, and will be of interest to his many fans. These talks by Ajahn Brahm have been recorded and made available for free distribution by the Buddhist Society of Western Australia under the Creative Commons licence. You can support the Buddhist Society of Western Australia by pledging your support via their Ko-fi page.

In this talk, Ajahn Brahm discusses the concept of tolerance. He starts by talking about how sometimes we may need to tolerate aches and pains in the body, but instead of just bearing with them, we should investigate and understand them. This can help us find solutions and can also lead to a deeper understanding of the nature of our physical discomfort. Ajahn also talks about how taking breaks and resting can actually make us more efficient, and how investigating problems can be more effective than just trying: Tolerance alone is not enough in dealing with discomfort, pain, and suffering. Instead, we should seek to understand and empathize with these experiences in order to find growth and solutions. — This dhamma talk was originally recorded using a low quality MP3 to save on file size on 10th August 2007. It has now been remastered and published by the Everyday Dhamma Network, and will be of interest to his many fans. These talks by Ajahn Brahm have been recorded and made available for free distribution by the Buddhist Society of Western Australia under the Creative Commons licence. You can support the Buddhist Society of Western Australia by pledging your support via their Ko-fi page.

Ajahn Brahm shares some anecdotes about his experiences of challenging societal norms as a celibate monk, and discusses the benefits of being single or celibate. Overall, he suggests that religion should challenge us to think outside of the norm and that there is nothing wrong with living a different lifestyle. Human beings have a natural tendency to desire and be attracted to certain things, but we also have the ability to restrain ourselves from acting on those urges. This is known as "hiri otappa" or the fear of karmic consequences and a sense of conscience or shame. We must have some level of restraint in order to live a civilized life. Sometimes we may feel tempted to act in a certain way, but it is important to remember the potential negative effects and consequences of our actions.

Ajahn Brahm discusses the idea of the "happiness industry," where there is a focus on finding happiness through seminars, classes, and other means. The author argues that this industry may not always address underlying social issues and may just promote changing one's attitude instead of taking action. He also discusses the overlap and potential contradiction between science and religion, particularly in addressing the story is about two Thai sisters who came to a monastery for counseling. The first sister had problems with her husband, while the other was struggling to find one. The counselor told them that changing their situation would only lead to a different form of suffering. This applies to all aspects of life, such as wealth, fame, or even owning a mobile phone. The happiness industry may tell us that achieving certain things will make us happy, but in reality, true happiness comes from within. — This dhamma talk was originally recorded using a low quality MP3 to save on file size on 6th July 2007. It has now been remastered and published by the Everyday Dhamma Network, and will be of interest to his many fans. These talks by Ajahn Brahm have been recorded and made available for free distribution by the Buddhist Society of Western Australia under the Creative Commons licence. You can support the Buddhist Society of Western Australia by pledging your support via their Ko-fi page.

Thistalk is about the responsibility of Buddhists to contribute to social issues, such as global warming and social activism, as the religion continues to grow in numbers. It compares the Buddha's rejection of becoming a world leader to the temptation of Jesus in Christianity. It emphasizes the importance of understanding and adapting to the world, rather than trying to control it. Ajahn Brahm shares personal experiences, such as delayed flights and participating in interfaith dialogue, to illustrate this point. He emphasizes the importance of active listening and understanding in order to bring about positive change in relationships, health, and the workplace. — This dhamma talk was originally recorded using a low quality MP3 to save on file size on 6th July 2007. It has now been remastered and published by the Everyday Dhamma Network, and will be of interest to his many fans. These talks by Ajahn Brahm have been recorded and made available for free distribution by the Buddhist Society of Western Australia under the Creative Commons licence. You can support the Buddhist Society of Western Australia by pledging your support via their Ko-fi page.