Meditation retreats
Meditation retreats
4. “When we have a retreat work period that requires us to leave a sitting after 15 or 30 minutes, should we come to the meditation hall and leave early or just practice elsewhere for that period?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Meditation retreats] [Work] // [Abhayagiri] [Posture/Walking] [Posture/Sitting]
Story: A good doorknob. [Building projects]
13. “What are the general Theravada monastic communities thought on S. N. Goenka’s mediation techniques and vipassana centers?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Theravāda] [S. N. Goenka] [Meditation/Techniques] [Meditation retreats] // [Calming meditation] [Generosity] [Dhamma]
6. “For most of the time on this retreat, I’ve tried to work with a persistent problem from a variety of angles, but as I work with it it seems to get worse; it seems obsessional. Any suggestions?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Meditation retreats] [Everyday life] [Goodwill] [Proliferation] // [Volitional formations] [Habits] [Spiritual friendship] [Patience]
6. “Reflecting on your talk earlier about letting go...Wondering if you can speak about maintaining a practice during retreat and also in ‘normal’ life under circumstances (where one has to make many important decisions).” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Relinquishment] [Meditation retreats] [Lay life]
14. “Ajahn, Its seems like the first couple of days all hindrances attack to a point where I opened my eyes this morning meditation and thought: ‘How did I get here?...Can you please comment.” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Hindrances] [Meditation retreats]
8. “It seems that every year I expect less from myself at a retreat [but also]...every year a retreat becomes easier and more peaceful. Would you say this is because: a) I am getting wiser? b) I am abandoning all intentions? Or c) I am running out of hormones?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Long-term practice] [Meditation retreats]
8. “Can we talk at breakfast please?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Right Speech] [Meditation retreats]
4. “I find the mind especially distractable during meal times. Partly this reflects longstanding habits of talking, reading, listening to news, etc, while eating. In the retreat context, it’s also due to the heightened “social” aspect of meal time (even though in silence). Can you give some suggestions for staying more present and mindful while eating? A deep bow of gratitude for your wonderful teachings…” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Food] [Habits] [Meditation retreats] [Present moment awareness]
1. “I’ve been struggling with sleepiness while trying to meditate, having the intention to be present and aware, but finding myself dozing off.” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Sloth and torpor] [Clear comprehension] [Meditation retreats] // [Conditionality] [Lay life] [Craving not to become] [Directed thought and evaluation]
Story: Ajahn Boon Choo meditates through tiredness after staying up for days. [Ajahn Boon Choo] [Kaṭhina] [Wat Pah Pong] [Energy] [Devotion to wakefulness] [Ardency]
Quote: “The boundaries we set for ourselves are oftentime much smaller than what we can actually deal with, work with, or be with.” [Self-identity view] [Clinging] [Patience]
17. “Please say more about what a monastic retreat offers compared to an “ordinary” retreat. What are the differences?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Monastic life] [Meditation retreats]
12. “Have you ever put a publication together on the retreat questions? Are the talks of this retreat being recorded?” Answered by Ajahn Pasanno. [Teaching Dhamma] [Meditation retreats] [Questions]