In our society, we are very much conditioned to believe that our memories are really ours. We don’t generally remember the ordinary events of our lives, but we do remember the very good ones; we remember when we won a prize or had a wonderful romance. We also remember the bad things we have done or that have been done to us. Grasping occurs either when we hold on and regurgitate all our memories or when we try to get rid of them; these are the two forms of grasping. It sounds paradoxical, but we are actually clinging to something when we try to get rid of it. The more we try to get rid of some…
Ajahn Pasanno reflects on gratitude, emphasizing its importance amidst societal negativity and its benefits for spiritual practice. This Dhamma talk was offered on November 9, 2024 at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery.