Dhammarato Dhamma

Skipping Dark Night of the Soul | Gergo #1 | 3.24.22

Gergo and Dhammarato talk about how Mahasi noting, choiceless awareness, and other Western meditation methods can encourage wallowing in dukkha (suffering, unsatisfactoriness) rather than learning to recognise dukkha from a distance and choosing satisfaction. #mahasi #meditation #darknightofthesoul
See the video version of this call on YouTube.►YouTube Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cq3k01VFWrA
Find the full video chats on the Dhammarato Dhamma YouTube channel.►YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/DhammaratoDhamma
Weekly Sangha calls, everyone is welcome!►The Sangha US - https://join.skype.com/uyYzUwJ3e3TO►The Sangha UK - https://join.skype.com/w6nFHnra6vdh
To meet Dhamma friends or volunteer to help spread the Dhamma, join our discord.►Discord - https://discord.gg/epphTGY
To unite the growing interest in Buddhism with the hundreds of Buddhist wats in the West, we are in the process of starting the Open Sangha Foundation. If you want to learn more or volunteer to help, join the discord link above and navigate to the "open-sangha" text channel.
We are in the process of timestamping and organizing the 1000+ Dhammarato skype calls on this channel. If you would like to help with the process, find more information here - https://bit.ly/3H1EWSA
What do the numbers in the title mean? The number by the name of the student indicates the total amount of recorded calls with Dhammarato. The date in the title indicates the date the call was recorded.
00:00 Mahasi noting and the Dark Night of the Soul02:26 Nothing happens; no results; recognise dukkha so you can avoid it06:03 The Noble Eightfold Path; dukkha, dukkha-nirodha08:24 Practise dodging the arrow by developing sati; developing breathing12:21 Not penetrating, or getting to the bottom of it - floating above it15:14 See the unwholesome thoughts and change them16:57 How deep do people need to fall into dukkha? Hitting rock bottom19:28 Remember to look, look, change, celebrate - choiceful; not choiceless27:17 Sati is being in the reality of the moment; not the fantasies of the mind30:03 Unnecessary work - how you feel about the job; scoring right now34:49 What is an unwholesome thought? Where are you going to draw the line?37:53 Becoming more sensitive; seeing the danger41:40 Satisfaction rather than gratification; this is ok; good enough44:27 Choiceless awareness is a lot of work; be a champion of your own mind

Finding Wisdom, Choosing Satisfaction | Thomas #2 | 3.22.22

Thomas and Dhammarato talk about the wisdom that comes from investigating the present moment and the skills that support such investigation. #wisdom #mindfulness #relaxation #breathing 
See the video version of this call on YouTube.►YouTube Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snbbeXLz6oE
Find the full video chats on the Dhammarato Dhamma YouTube channel.►YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/DhammaratoDhamma
Weekly Sangha calls, everyone is welcome!►The Sangha US - https://join.skype.com/uyYzUwJ3e3TO►The Sangha UK - https://join.skype.com/w6nFHnra6vdh
To meet Dhamma friends or volunteer to help spread the Dhamma, join our discord.►Discord - https://discord.gg/epphTGY
To unite the growing interest in Buddhism with the hundreds of Buddhist wats in the West, we are in the process of starting the Open Sangha Foundation. If you want to learn more or volunteer to help, join the discord link above and navigate to the "open-sangha" text channel.
We are in the process of timestamping and organizing the 1000+ Dhammarato skype calls on this channel. If you would like to help with the process, find more information here - https://bit.ly/3H1EWSA
What do the numbers in the title mean? The number by the name of the student indicates the total amount of recorded calls with Dhammarato. The date in the title indicates the date the call was recorded.
00:00 We develop pañña (wisdom) by looking and investigating 06:14 Using our Dhamma Eye by investigating right here, right now08:16 Being content with what is; wisdom is the ability to connect the dots17:59 If you want it you don’t get it - the wanting keeps us in a state of turmoil20:00 Look at how you think because you have a choice; monkey mind22:45 Seeing the dissatisfaction; remembering to look; choosing a wholesome state28:12 Applying sati to the breathing to control the mind; Western meditation is too passive35:03 The only work is to remove the unwholesome thought43:13 Slowing things down; work with your attention span48:23 Using the breath to relax the body; find where the tensions are bring in the breath

Valuing the Present, Sharing the Joy | Laurent #3 | 3.22.22

Laurent and Dhammarato discuss the analogy of the inverse square law as a way of emphasising the importance of new information over old information, friendship as the whole of the Dhamma, nurturing ourselves and others, and recommended reading. #friendship #mindfulness #unconditionallove
See the video version of this call on YouTube.►YouTube Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tW76NKkt38
Find the full video chats on the Dhammarato Dhamma YouTube channel.►YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/DhammaratoDhamma
Weekly Sangha calls, everyone is welcome!►The Sangha US - https://join.skype.com/uyYzUwJ3e3TO►The Sangha UK - https://join.skype.com/w6nFHnra6vdh
To meet Dhamma friends or volunteer to help spread the Dhamma, join our discord.►Discord - https://discord.gg/epphTGY
To unite the growing interest in Buddhism with the hundreds of Buddhist wats in the West, we are in the process of starting the Open Sangha Foundation. If you want to learn more or volunteer to help, join the discord link above and navigate to the ""open-sangha"" text channel.
We are in the process of timestamping and organizing the 1000+ Dhammarato skype calls on this channel. If you would like to help with the process, find more information here - https://bit.ly/3H1EWSA
What do the numbers in the title mean? The number by the name of the student indicates the total amount of recorded calls with Dhammarato. The date in the title indicates the date the call was recorded.
00:00:00 Seeing sensations instead of dissatisfaction; layers of satisfaction 00:05:07 The past as distance; inverse square law; new observations have more information00:14:09 Improving our impact on the world; wisdom, truth, and joy00:18:22 Friendship is the whole Dhamma: making friends with ourselves and others00:24:31 Spreading friendship, joy, and satisfaction in the gym00:33:54 It’s OK that thing’s take time: momentum builds, the seed grows00:45:34 Achan Poh and Bhikkhu Buddhadāsa; access to the suttas00:48:24 Unconditional love, nurturing00:52:40 Working alone versus working with others00:57:36 Religions promote magical beliefs instead of friendship00:59:00 Recommended reading: ‘ABCs of Buddhism,’ ‘Handbook for Mankind,’ ‘Hunger and Happiness’

Four Steps Out of Victimhood | The Sangha UK #38 | 3.20.22

The Sangha discuss leaving victimhood behind and becoming a winner by following the Eightfold Noble Path or Eightfold Noble Method of which the first four steps are right viewing (samma ditthi), right mindfulness (samma sati), right effort (samma vayama), and right attitude (samma sankappa). These steps are practiced as four mutually reinforcing skills: remembering to look (samma sati); investigating or “checking out” the hindrances or unwholesome thoughts (samma ditthi); changing from an unwholesome state to a wholesome state by throwing out the hindrances and gladdening the mind (samma vayama); these three skills are like dance steps and constantly reinforce one another until we begin to develop a new attitude: celebrating achievement; becoming a winner; becoming a lion (samma sankappa). The four skills working togther produce right unification of mind (samma samādh). This is the Buddha’s method. #mindfulness #meditation #enlightenment
See the video version of this call on YouTube.►YouTube Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ptk9hCIYakk
Find the full video chats on the Dhammarato Dhamma YouTube channel.►YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/DhammaratoDhamma
Weekly Sangha calls, everyone is welcome!►The Sangha US - https://join.skype.com/uyYzUwJ3e3TO►The Sangha UK - https://join.skype.com/w6nFHnra6vdh
To meet Dhamma friends or volunteer to help spread the Dhamma, join our discord.►Discord - https://discord.gg/epphTGY
To unite the growing interest in Buddhism with the hundreds of Buddhist wats in the West, we are in the process of starting the Open Sangha Foundation. If you want to learn more or volunteer to help, join the discord link above and navigate to the "open-sangha" text channel.
We are in the process of timestamping and organizing the 1000+ Dhammarato skype calls on this channel. If you would like to help with the process, find more information here - https://bit.ly/3H1EWSA
What do the numbers in the title mean? The number by the name of the student indicates the total amount of recorded calls with Dhammarato. The date in the title indicates the date the call was recorded.
00:00:00 Westerners are obsessed with what dukkha is 00:01:50 The Eightfold Noble Path: remember to practice; check things out; remove the hindrances; celebrate00:13:55 Experience on retreat; entertaining ourselves with things we usually ignore00:19:34 Ānāpānasati is a pincer movement on the feelings; coming out of victimhood00:33:10 Painful rites, rules, and rituals on retreat - stay comfortable!00:38:44 Wholesome noting; sensations as messengers and friends00:49:39 Your attitude is moving not your feeling tone; take control (samma sankappa)00:56:10 Wakey wakey; pay attention to your attitude01:01:37 Relaxing is taking control; you are already enlightened; joyful; wealthy01:06:04 A victim is a crowd; the four skills are unification of mind (samādhi)01:11:00 Wholesome - being whole; your choice: right view; right sati, right effort; right attitude

Disagreement, Investigation, & Generosity | Matt H #21, Alex P | 3.20.22

Matt, Alex, and Dhammarato discuss disagreement, belief, evidence, and wanting; the benefits of friendship and community, and the value of friendship over truth. #friendship #sangha #disagreement #generosity
See the video version of this call on YouTube.►YouTube Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEblh7jlp3E
Find the full video chats on the Dhammarato Dhamma YouTube channel.►YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/DhammaratoDhamma
Weekly Sangha calls, everyone is welcome!►The Sangha US - https://join.skype.com/uyYzUwJ3e3TO►The Sangha UK - https://join.skype.com/w6nFHnra6vdh
To meet Dhamma friends or volunteer to help spread the Dhamma, join our discord.►Discord - https://discord.gg/epphTGY
To unite the growing interest in Buddhism with the hundreds of Buddhist wats in the West, we are in the process of starting the Open Sangha Foundation. If you want to learn more or volunteer to help, join the discord link above and navigate to the "open-sangha" text channel.
We are in the process of timestamping and organizing the 1000+ Dhammarato skype calls on this channel. If you would like to help with the process, find more information here - https://bit.ly/3H1EWSA
What do the numbers in the title mean? The number by the name of the student indicates the total amount of recorded calls with Dhammarato. The date in the title indicates the date the call was recorded.
00:00 Disagreement; clinging to things we want to be true03:41 Dissatisfaction and acquisition of wealth13:08 Losing community15:17 Sam Harris; evaluations; investigation; ignorant people think they know everything18:28 The hindrance of doubt; evidence; science23:57 The golden rule in Christianity; kindness & friendship29:01 Confidence: The Buddha was a lion; pacing and leading; there is no conflict33:37 Disagreement is disagreeable; Catch 2237:43 Disagreement is a symptom of unhappiness; the whole teaching is friendship40:57 Remember to be friends; like-minded people43:27 Friendliness reaches a wider circle48:12 Generosity helps people to wake up; tacit agreement

Understanding Jhāna & Nibbāna | The Sangha US #30 | 3.19.22

The Sangha discuss the Visuddhimagga as the “grave of the Buddha” and the impact it has had on misunderstandings of jhāna and nibbāna, which are ordinary features of everyday life rather than mysterious, magical states; this leads to a consideration of the components of jhāna, free will, reflection & investigation, the speed of the mind, and the freedom implicit in the Buddha’s famous phrase “one by one as they occur”. #jhāna #nibbana #jhana #dhyana
See the video version of this call on YouTube.►YouTube Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urpHdtIvFjA
Find the full video chats on the Dhammarato Dhamma YouTube channel.►YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/DhammaratoDhamma
Weekly Sangha calls, everyone is welcome!►The Sangha US - https://join.skype.com/uyYzUwJ3e3TO►The Sangha UK - https://join.skype.com/w6nFHnra6vdh
To meet Dhamma friends or volunteer to help spread the Dhamma, join our discord.►Discord - https://discord.gg/epphTGY
To unite the growing interest in Buddhism with the hundreds of Buddhist wats in the West, we are in the process of starting the Open Sangha Foundation. If you want to learn more or volunteer to help, join the discord link above and navigate to the "open-sangha" text channel.
We are in the process of timestamping and organizing the 1000+ Dhammarato skype calls on this channel. If you would like to help with the process, find more information here - https://bit.ly/3H1EWSA
What do the numbers in the title mean? The number by the name of the student indicates the total amount of recorded calls with Dhammarato. The date in the title indicates the date the call was recorded.
00:00:00 The Visuddhimagga makes jhāna too complicated; nibbāna moments in everyday life00:14:16 The first jhāna has five factors; posture; analogy with reading00:37:36 Second jhāna is being in the flow; freedom from hindrances in the present moment00:56:30 We do have choices; getting a larger picture; deeper objects01:05:26 Safe and secure: there is no competition; relaxation01:10:02 Reflection in the jhāna; regrets & remorse01:16:11 Learning from past mistakes; seeing things in the distance; getting into jhāna01:25:27 We choose which discursive thoughts to have; wholesome thoughts are powerful01:34:03 Instinctual mind; wise mind - is this dukkha or not?01:44:38 The mind cannot focus on two things at once; one by one as they occur01:50:58 The present moment is a tenth of a second, one alpha wave01:55:09 Learning how fast the mind is; life becomes a breeze

Gazing & Discursive Thought | Alex #28 | 3.14.22

Alex and Dhammarato talk about leaving discursive thought behind.
See the video version of this call on YouTube.►YouTube Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRzVkSGvrNQ
Find the full video chats on the Dhammarato Dhamma YouTube channel.►YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/DhammaratoDhamma
Weekly Sangha calls, everyone is welcome!►The Sangha US - https://join.skype.com/uyYzUwJ3e3TO►The Sangha UK - https://join.skype.com/w6nFHnra6vdh
To meet Dhamma friends or volunteer to help spread the Dhamma, join our discord.►Discord - https://discord.gg/epphTGY
To unite the growing interest in Buddhism with the hundreds of Buddhist wats in the West, we are in the process of starting the Open Sangha Foundation. If you want to learn more or volunteer to help, join the discord link above and navigate to the "open-sangha" text channel.
We are in the process of timestamping and organizing the 1000+ Dhammarato skype calls on this channel. If you would like to help with the process, find more information here - https://bit.ly/3H1EWSA
What do the numbers in the title mean? The number by the name of the student indicates the total amount of recorded calls with Dhammarato. The date in the title indicates the date the call was recorded.
00:00:00 Giving clear definitions of terms: thought00:04:41 Eye of the Dhamma; cognise; recognise00:13:30 Just feel good right now00:20:16 There’s nothing wrong here; allow vagueness to be vague00:32:27 Gazing is life-changing; knowing the senses as they are00:41:27 Dukkha is attaching to something specific00:47:02 Paticcasamuppāda - paying attention to the process00:52:21 From sati straight to gladdening the mind; living without a running dialogue00:55:50 Gazing and dialogue00:57:23 Anicca - everything is in flux

Talking to Ourselves & Buddho | The Sangha UK #37 | 3.13.22

The Sangha discuss the threefold division of the sankhāra, the two types of consciousness represented by viññāna and salāyatana, coming out of the verbal sankhāra through use of chanting and mantras, the qualities of and similes for the jhāna, the popular Thai mantra Buddho, and reaction times in the absence of discursive thought.
See the video version of this call on YouTube.►YouTube Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cywG1DJMSDA
Find the full video chats on the Dhammarato Dhamma YouTube channel.►YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/DhammaratoDhamma
Weekly Sangha calls, everyone is welcome!►The Sangha US - https://join.skype.com/uyYzUwJ3e3TO►The Sangha UK - https://join.skype.com/w6nFHnra6vdh
To meet Dhamma friends or volunteer to help spread the Dhamma, join our discord.►Discord - https://discord.gg/epphTGY
To unite the growing interest in Buddhism with the hundreds of Buddhist wats in the West, we are in the process of starting the Open Sangha Foundation. If you want to learn more or volunteer to help, join the discord link above and navigate to the "open-sangha" text channel.
We are in the process of timestamping and organizing the 1000+ Dhammarato skype calls on this channel. If you would like to help with the process, find more information here - https://bit.ly/3H1EWSA
What do the numbers in the title mean? The number by the name of the student indicates the total amount of recorded calls with Dhammarato. The date in the title indicates the date the call was recorded.
00:00:00 Verbal sankhāra are discursive thoughts; citta sankhāra are feelings00:15:24 Viññana & salāyatana - conscious recognition of input data00:18:53 Value of these two consciousness concepts in ānāpānasati 00:20:57 Stopping00:24:52 Similes for the jhāna (MN 119)00:29:16 Bypassing verbalisation; mantras; chanting00:39:01 Relaxing into 3rd & 4th jhāna; seeing the functioning of the mind00:48:17 Noticing what happens at the end of the out breath00:53:24 Reaction time out of discursive thought01:10:27 Mahasi retreat

Flaws in Western Buddhism | The Sangha US #29 | 3.12.22

The Sangha discuss mistranslations, delayed gratification, and lack of practical expertise as fundamental flaws in Western Buddhism, leading to a discussion of the meaning and qualities of “dukkha” and “samadhi”. The discussion concludes with a consideration of skill development, rationality, and the need for timely and correct information as foundations for wisdom.
See the video version of this call on YouTube.►YouTube Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OWd30tX3PdI
Find the full video chats on the Dhammarato Dhamma YouTube channel.►YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/DhammaratoDhamma
Weekly Sangha calls, everyone is welcome!►The Sangha US - https://join.skype.com/uyYzUwJ3e3TO►The Sangha UK - https://join.skype.com/w6nFHnra6vdh
To meet Dhamma friends or volunteer to help spread the Dhamma, join our discord.►Discord - https://discord.gg/epphTGY
To unite the growing interest in Buddhism with the hundreds of Buddhist wats in the West, we are in the process of starting the Open Sangha Foundation. If you want to learn more or volunteer to help, join the discord link above and navigate to the "open-sangha" text channel.
We are in the process of timestamping and organizing the 1000+ Dhammarato skype calls on this channel. If you would like to help with the process, find more information here - https://bit.ly/3H1EWSA
What do the numbers in the title mean? The number by the name of the student indicates the total amount of recorded calls with Dhammarato. The date in the title indicates the date the call was recorded.
The Sangha discuss mistranslations, delayed gratification, and lack of practical expertise as fundamental flaws in Western Buddhism, leading to a discussion of the meaning and qualities of “dukkha” and “samadhi”. The discussion concludes with a consideration of skill development, rationality, and the need for timely and correct information as foundations for wisdom.
►For shorter edited videos, check out Dhamma Dudes - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVc9jlpe7D8NqnSvoK-gJqw
Private Skype chats with Dhammarato are available at no charge.►Email - dhammaratog@gmail.com
Weekly Sangha calls, everyone is welcome!►The Sangha US (Friday at 9 PM EST) - https://join.skype.com/uyYzUwJ3e3TO►The Sangha UK (Wednesday at 8 PM UK, Sunday at 10 AM UK) - https://join.skype.com/w6nFHnra6vdh►The Sangha text chat - https://join.skype.com/t7k9MfckwWMt
To meet Dhamma friends or volunteer to help spread the Dhamma, join our discord.►Discord - https://discord.gg/epphTGY
To unite the growing interest in Buddhism with the hundreds of Buddhist wats in the West, we are in the process of starting the Open Sangha Foundation. If you want to learn more or volunteer to help, join the discord link above and navigate to the "open-sangha" text channel.
We are in the process of timestamping and organizing the 1000+ Dhammarato skype calls on this channel. If you would like to help with the process, find more information here - https://bit.ly/3H1EWSA
What do the numbers in the title mean? The number by the name of the student indicates the total amount of recorded calls with Dhammarato. The date in the title indicates the date the call was recorded.
00:00:00 Western Buddhism disadvantaged by language, delayed gratification mindset, and lack of experience00:06:02 “Enlightenment” and ānāpānasati; paying attention in this present moment00:19:43 “Dukkha” does not mean “suffering” - everything is a matter of attitude00:28:57 Making a change; looking at the process00:36:31 Wanting more; dissatisfaction; satisfaction from seeing00:48:24 Don’t hang on - just balance by relaxing; juice not concentrate: samādhi 00:57:25 Free from unwholesome thoughts; safety, security, comfort, satisfaction, success, relaxation: samādhi 01:11:05 Right noble unification of mind: samādhi 01:19:17 Understanding skill development; joining and pacing01:32:10 Rationality, information, GIGO, and wisdom01:45:46 Food (data) gets old quickly

An Organised Mind | Zach #8 | 3.2.22

Zach and Dhammarato discuss the supports and features of an organised mind.
See the video version of this call on YouTube.►YouTube Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HhQ89lgENp8
Find the full video chats on the Dhammarato Dhamma YouTube channel.►YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/DhammaratoDhamma
Weekly Sangha calls, everyone is welcome!►The Sangha US - https://join.skype.com/uyYzUwJ3e3TO►The Sangha UK - https://join.skype.com/w6nFHnra6vdh
To meet Dhamma friends or volunteer to help spread the Dhamma, join our discord.►Discord - https://discord.gg/epphTGY
To unite the growing interest in Buddhism with the hundreds of Buddhist wats in the West, we are in the process of starting the Open Sangha Foundation. If you want to learn more or volunteer to help, join the discord link above and navigate to the "open-sangha" text channel.
We are in the process of timestamping and organizing the 1000+ Dhammarato skype calls on this channel. If you would like to help with the process, find more information here - https://bit.ly/3H1EWSA
What do the numbers in the title mean? The number by the name of the student indicates the total amount of recorded calls with Dhammarato. The date in the title indicates the date the call was recorded.
00:00:00 What is right view (samma ditthi)? Right noble organisation of the mind (samma samadhi)00:06:42 An organised mind is fit for work; free from hindrances00:10:42 Four supports and three features00:22:04 Immediate benefits from the noble path; wrong view00:28:28 Imaginary fears; investigation; satisfaction 00:38:28 Remembering to look is a skill00:40:53 Throw out what stops you feeling safe and secure00:46:38 Existential fear and feeling safe (abhaya); fight, flight, seeing clearly01:00:12 Removing hindrances in advance by restructuring concepts01:02:44 Fixing the world01:08:51 Thus one trains oneself: repetition, rhythm and cadence; sati01:14:05 Repression and arguing with yourself vs. tracking01:17:35 Sukha is the opposite of dukkha; being a lion01:19:41 Letting go of tanha: being satisfied without getting what you want01:24:45 Controlling what you like; vedanā; paticcasamuppāda01:29:26 Criteria and standards; sankhāras - piles of this and that01:32:13 Name and form; nāmarūpa - handling things01:39:07 Changing handles - just look01:42:29 Wisdom is learning to fly by the seat of your pants