Dhammarato Dhamma

Take a Deep Breath | The Sangha UK #23 | 1.16.22

The Sangha discuss whether certain philosophical ideas can be reconciled with the Dhamma.
See the video version of this call on YouTube.►YouTube Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JtKLKvH44vE
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 Omnipresence and dependent origination01:23 Confusion of categorisation04:27 Philosophy as inspiration for investigation05:28 Is what I completely believe true?06:41 The philosophy spiral of death

Jhanas, Hindrances, & Conceit | The Sangha US #21 | 1.15.22

The Sangha discuss the jhanas, conceit, and hindrances.
See the video version of this call on YouTube.►YouTube Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOI5LVlT_2o
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 Plum Village, affectations; depression; find what resonates04:53 Cut out the language; past first jhana is all feeling07:23 Slipping out of the higher jhanas09:42 Conceit11:56 Hindrances14:19 If you can’t be happy right now you’ll never be happy

Growing Wisdom | The Sangha US #20 | 1.15.22

The Sangha discuss elements of practice, magical thinking, wholesome and unwholesome thoughts, the everyday nature of the brahmaviharas, Sangha, faith, and dependent origination.
See the video version of this call on YouTube.►YouTube Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SM9GmHj5IZM
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 past our sensations and feelings; there’s nothing new under the sun00:12:48 Taking baby steps; experiencing piti; wallowing00:31:22 The wisdom of knowing where things are headed00:36:50 Trying to understand thoughts without conditionality00:48:07 Wanting things to be different to how they are00:52:01 The process only ever happens right now; brahmaviharas01:01:02 States and boundaries; selflessness and selfishness01:07:18 It comes back to dukkha dukkha-nirodha; there’s no unified self; magical thinking01:23:40 Bypass magical thinking to be here in the moment01:32:41 Understanding wholesome thoughts and why we think unwholesome thoughts will last forever01:46:57 Sangha and being motivated by enthusiastic practitioners; brahmaviharas are everyday02:11:23 Nobles have confidence based on skill development02:28:55 Location, culture, tech; dependent origination; paradoxes

We Need Few Skills | Gavin #3 | 1.7.22

Gavin and Dhammarato explore the depths of ānāpānasati and how it differs from the judgmental, bottom-line oriented thinking of the West.
See the video version of this call on YouTube.►YouTube Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wNP5i2ta8sE
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 Dukkha-sukha01:18 There is only one practice of meditation 06:59 States of joy are a choice08:15 It’s hard to repeal a law, but we can change11:49 Using the breath helps us to wake up14:30 Practice like your hair is on fire (piti)18:49 The breath is a motivating anchor21:10 The optimist and the pessimist24:08 The anti-moral of the story of Adam & Eve25:50 Judgment versus discrimination27:43 The moral kick of our stories32:45 The limitations of metta41:40 Forgetting is forgiveness47:15 This is how we practice51:20 Bottom-line oriented thinking is not the Buddha’s Way

Wise Compassion, Restlessness and Curiosity, Historical Context of the Suttas | Parker | 12.10.21

Dhammarato and Parker talk about compassion, restlessness and curiosity, and the historical context of the suttas.
See the video version of this call on YouTube.►YouTube Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5o2_1RZ1hg
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 Acting out of compassion06:27 Right Speech, malicious gossip, handling conflict15:10 Large movements, politics20:44 Curiosity and restlessness22:49 Friendship vs. truth27:48 One-liners, playing with students' language32:04 Restlessness and seclusion, Ajahn Sumedho's seclusion, saving the world41:12 Lineage43:10 Victimhood43:54 MN 139 - How to share the dhamma46:38 Compassion while in seclusion, asking people questions like how they feel, the Socratic method54:41 Historical context of the suttas

Group Hug and Support | The Sangha UK #21 | 1.10.22

The Sangha discuss the foundations of practice.
See the video version of this call on YouTube.►YouTube Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Js8K2knseF8
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 Ānāpānasati has a great effect. We start with four foundational skills00:16:58 Through this practice the mind becomes organised and calm00:21:49 Unskilful meditation lacks right effort00:27:47 Let things cool off (nibbana)00:36:51 The hard nibbana and how to read the suttas00:47:45 Don’t set standards, nurture yourself00:53:55 Over-effort hinders getting into a good state: applied and sustained00:58:48 Maintain mindfulness when you need it; being on standby01:05:25 Our reality is that you’re usually in a good space01:08:01 Recognise when what you’re doing is not satisfying; break your toys01:14:08 Many teachers express things in the same way01:16:41 Overwhelmed by craving, not emotion01:19:12 Everything is OK; we don’t have to feel bad01:25:52 We don’t have to strive in meditation; Right noble attitude: there’s a gold coin right next to you01:43:36 We’re all in the same boat together01:44:43 The practice naturally develops toward more non-verbal experience01:57:03 Piti and sukha are on a continuum; analogy of success in sports02:02:01 Equanimity and the mudras; 4th jhana

Happy Thoughts of the One You Think about but Don’t Miss | Eno #15 | 1.8.22

Eno and Dhammarato discuss attachment to relationships, fear and uncertainty, the foundations of morality, and the character of the Dhamma.
See the video version of this call on YouTube.►YouTube Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmyOushjoj8
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 Ānāpānasati is a relaxing break00:05:40 Attachment to relationships - enjoyment without clinging00:12:03 Grateful for the company of giants00:13:40 How to deal with fear and uncertainty: you can handle it00:23:46 It’s OK to screw up; the fourth knowledge; lineage and learning from mistakes00:29:15 Fear of loss; art as instinct00:32:35 Sati and morality; what’s right for right now?00:44:53 There’s no rule against rules: precepts help to see things coming00:53:13 Setting a baseline: the four requisites00:59:47 Taking rules ignorantly: inspect, evaluate01:04:20 Talking ourself out of fear; rules; music01:13:52 Noble language; the repetitive quality of ānāpānasati01:25:09 Everything happens in cycles; everything in the Dhamma is connected

Jhana or Frustration? The Choice Is Yours | The Sangha US #19 | 1.7.22

Jhana or frustration? The choice is yours.
See the video version of this call on YouTube.►YouTube Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtP5sHvJnjY
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.
0:00:00 - Timestamps start at 1 hour and 23 minutes1:23:00 - What’s the tiniest, subtlest 0.01% better you can make this moment with practically no effort, by thinking a thought that is barely wholesome (but more wholesome than what came before)? Anti-perfectionism measure: it’s still more wholesome.1:28:00 - You’re already ok with it, you’re just afraid of not being ok with it in the next moment.1:30:00 - Notice that you’re enjoying the self-pity of being miserable and appreciate the perverse pleasure that it’s giving you instead of rejecting yourself for finding enjoyment in it (at least you’re enjoying something! Notice that!)1:32:00 - It’s like you’re training in a sport and the coach is saying “you just need to run” and you’re saying “nah, i’ll just walk”1:34:30 - If you are upset that you are failing, ask yourself: is it ok that you’re a failure? And if the answer’s “no it’s not”, well then let it be ok that you’re a failure, you’re working so darn hard to prove it to yourself after all.1:38:00 - When we discuss your problems, we’re not talking about your mind (you’re not a special snowflake with unique problems), we’re talking about the human mind.1:43:50 - Don’t use perfectionism as an excuse to stunt your progress1:48:45 - Notice, when you’re thinking unwholesome thoughts, that you’re continuously referring back to the past or future e.g. “i did it, i just took a breath, i just gladdened my mind just now” ← but notice how that’s still just going back into the past again!1:50:00 - Notice, when you’re thinking unwholesome thoughts, that you’re continuously wanting something.1:51:00 - Try to stop practicing all day and just do 10-20 minutes first thing in the morning instead, using the rest of your day as a kind of ‘recovery time’/’rest break’ from your little daily ‘workout’.1:54:00 - I was frustrated in the past and I’ll be frustrated again, but right now, everything’s ok (because it can be).1:55:00 - Have a “problem” with procrastination? Try: nevermind, i’ll frustrate later.1:56:30 - Your concern for the past hinges on your obsession with the future - consider if you’re so worried about the past because you’re worried the future will always be the (unwholesome) way that the now is. It’s just as important to let go of the future as the past, and to help you do this: notice that it never turns out the way you expect it to.1:58:00 - It’s ok to be doubtful bc you have been doubtful SO many times (and look you’re still alive and well) so it’s just an “old familiar part of the family” [“hello doubt, my OLD friend, I don’t have to get rid of you or be angry about you, I can enjoy you too”]1:59:00 - How frustrated can I get and still enjoy it?1:59:30 - Q: But I feel like I can't enjoy the breath the way I want to. A: Ah, the way you want to - stop trying to enjoy the breath the way you did before or idealize as doing again, enjoy it the way it is just right here and now. That’s what satisfaction is [Satisfaction doesn’t necessarily need to be perfect happiness, it can be as unexalted as ok-ness with frustration/doubt/dukkha if you lower your standards enough (also, you can reclaim your power by noticing that those standards are your own)].2:05:00 - Reframe your bad habits as tools/training wheels that you’re using now to seclude yourself from the hindrances. Healthy examples of seclusion training wheels: relaxing music, cleaning, cooking, being creative, journaling.

Posture | Eric R #3 | 12.26.21

Eric and Dhammarato talk about upright, comfortable, and relaxed postures, the duration of sessions, and how ānāpānasati blends into metta.
See the video version of this call on YouTube.►YouTube Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WiZMOpCxhjg
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 Sitting upright and relaxation are compatible11:19 The Buddha discussed four postures; being upright, comfortable, and relaxed15:57 Watching what your hands are doing; moving them slowly25:23 Meditation more often in short intervals26:19 How do you know you’ve been sitting too long?29:08 Piti and sukha; feeling safe and secure; satisfaction31:07 Use the breath to energise the body and to be in the present moment36:38 Becoming friendly with the air we breathe; metta meditation

Sīla-samādhi-paññā Is the Beginner’s Path | Robert Co #25 | 1.7.22

Robert and Dhammarato discuss the beginner’s path, the path of the nobles, Siddhartha’s decision to leave his wife and child, and the qualities of mental strength.
See the video version of this call on YouTube.►YouTube Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IagTBdUBAlA
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 Seclusion and sīla go hand-in-hand05:20 After 1st jhana we can explore how the mind works through paticcasamuppāda09:30 When wisdom arrives the path inverts11:43 Sīla is the outcome of noble practice15:15 Taking a mental hike and the Buddha’s own story25:54 You don’t have to go deep into meditation29:56 Mental strength is knowing you can handle anything32:00 The zeroth step is to recognize that you have to control your own behaviour