Explore every episode of the podcast Clear Mountain Monastery Project

00:00 Chanting Together

00:52 Ayyā Ānandabodhi — Walking Right Here

08:04 Ajahn Kovilo — Walking With Stillness: The World Moving Through Us

16:58 Ajahn Nisabho — Path as Duty: Monastery as Container

26:59 Question: Navigating Career Transitions

31:53 Question: Managing Boredom in Relationships

37:25 Question: Balancing Duty and Presence

In this session, directly preceding their three-day pilgrimage from St. Mark's Cathedral in Capitol Hill, Seattle to the new Clear Mountain property in North Bend, Ayyā Ānandabodhi and Venerable Satima join Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho in reflecting on the why and how of Buddhist pilgrimage ("tudong") and walking meditation more broadly.

To learn more about Ayyā Ānandabodhi and Venerable Satima, visit www.parayanavihara.org

Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events!

- Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:30 pm PT, YouTube then Zoom)

- Saturday Morning Meditation, Teaching, & Coffee Social (9:30 - 11 am PT, Online & In-Person)

- Sunday Evening “Mission Majjhima!” Sutta Teaching & Discussion (5:00 - 6 pm PT, Online)

See https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/ or visit https://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!

ESSAYS

Return to Simplicity Through Wuwei: https://luminousdharma.org/return-to-simplicity-through-wuwei/

Returning to Nature: https://luminousdharma.org/returning-to-nature-advanced-dharma-practice/

PAIRED VIDEO: https://youtu.be/qlU00qmHq1E

DESCRIPTION

Returning to Simplicity is an approach to Buddhist practice based on radical surrender. What we set down is the whole apparatus of impulse, obsession, discriminating, ruminating, and holding concepts about how the world should be. We are not setting down the arising of these things, but our investment in them. What we take up instead is feeling the world as it actually is.

The Buddha encouraged exploring body, mind, and environment as "not I, not me, not mine." In this discussion we look at how that seeing may be uncovered and directly experienced, and how life can open into freedom when things are entrusted back to natural function. To learn more, visit https://luminousdharma.org/.

BIO

Jason Bartlett teaches a practical, cross-traditional approach to Buddha Dharma centered on "returning to nature" — a method of releasing the sense of self by entrusting whatever arises spontaneously and uncontrolled to nature itself, drawing on prajñāpāramitā, tathāgatagarbha, and early Taoist teachings. He began meditating in 1993 at age 17, and his practice expanded over the years to include Chan, Korean Seon, and Theravāda traditions, along with study of the Pāli suttas and Mahāyāna sūtras. Following his brother's death in 2019, he founded Luminous Dharma to offer teachings freely. His mentors include Venerable Sucitta Mahātherī, Santikaro Upāsaka, Leigh Brasington, and Venerable Wu Kai Shīfù. To learn more, visit https://luminousdharma.org/.

CHAPTERS

0:00 – Opening & Bio Introduction

3:08 – "How would you describe returning to simplicity?"

9:34 – "How would you speak about people embodying this in daily life?"

13:33 – "Can you give listeners practical ways to embody the skill of release?"

18:05 – "How would you suggest cultivating this on the cushion?"

21:45 – "Do you want to quickly speak to the sailing analogy?"

27:20 – "How would you speak about moments where it's not easy to turn off the motor?"

32:24 – "Would you speak to big mind and small mind?"

35:20 – "What other methods do you have for people stepping into big mind?"

37:19 – "Do you have an example of returning to simplicity while doing the dishes?"

46:59 – "How do you teach this in meditation? How do you sit to develop these skills?"

51:30 – "Can you give a practical technique to sit with this — breath or mantra?"

54:54 – "What's different about returning to nature vs. returning to simplicity?"

1:01:19 – "How is returning to nature different from returning to simplicity?" (trust/wholehearted wish)

1:09:00 – "What's the practical way to sit and develop the returning to nature method?"

1:17:14 – "How do people make the leap to piti, rapture, and nourishment?"

1:21:43 – "How does one know if a breakthrough is authentic?"

1:25:08 – "How does the Awakening Alchemy method fit into this paradigm?"

1:28:42 – "Do you consider yourself Buddhist?"

We are especially grateful for the work of Chetan Raj in filming and editing. Sadhu!

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Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events!

- Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:30 pm PT, YouTube then Zoom)

- Saturday Morning Meditation, Teaching, & Coffee Social (9:30 - 11 am PT, Online & In-Person)

- Sunday Evening “Mission Majjhima!” Sutta Teaching & Discussion (5:00 - 6 pm PT, Online)

See https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/ or visit https://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!

In this talk, Ajahn Nisabho the Buddha's directions towards developing jhāna through mindfulness of breathing, as articulated in the Ānāpānassati Sutta (MN 18 - https://suttacentral.net/mn118/en/bodhi?lang=en&reference=none&highlight=false). Taoist articulations of how to refine the body's energies provide practical tools for practitioners looking to refine the mind through these stages. Specifically, Jason Bartlett's "Awakening Alchemy" methodology, described in the talk and essay below, give in-depth guidance about the approach.

Video: Buddhist Lotus, Taoist Roots: An Ancient Blueprint for Modern Practice | Jason Bartlett Q&A: https://youtu.be/qlU00qmHq1E

Awakening Alchemy Essay: http://Luminousdharma.org/awakening-alchemy/

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Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events!

- Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:30 pm PT, YouTube then Zoom)

- Saturday Morning Meditation, Teaching, & Coffee Social (9:30 - 11 am PT, Online & In-Person)

- Sunday Evening “Mission Majjhima!” Sutta Teaching & Discussion (5:00 - 6 pm PT, Online)

See https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/ or visit https://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!

ESSAY: http://Luminousdharma.org/awakening-alchemy/

PAIRED VIDEO: https://youtu.be/_GUvwlg8bHI

DESCRIPTION

Awakening Alchemy is a system of body, breath, energy, and spirit practices that cultivate and transform our being on multiple levels. Its concepts and approach are rooted in principles found within East Asian medicine, Taoist cultivation, and Buddhism. In this discussion we establish the principles and working points that serve as the foundation for this style of practice.

As with all techniques, these practices affect each person differently. If you experience problematic symptoms or stress while trying them, please discontinue the practice and consult a skilled practitioner of traditional East Asian medicine as needed. To learn more, visit https://luminousdharma.org/.

BIO

Jason Bartlett teaches a practical, cross-traditional approach to Buddha Dharma centered on "returning to nature" — a method of releasing the sense of self by entrusting whatever arises spontaneously and uncontrolled to nature itself, drawing on prajñāpāramitā, tathāgatagarbha, and early Taoist teachings. He began meditating in 1993 at age 17, and his practice expanded over the years to include Chan, Korean Seon, and Theravāda traditions, along with study of the Pāli suttas and Mahāyāna sūtras. Following his brother's death in 2019, he founded Luminous Dharma to offer teachings freely. His mentors include Venerable Sucitta Mahātherī, Santikaro Upāsaka, Leigh Brasington, and Venerable Wu Kai Shīfù. To learn more, visit https://luminousdharma.org/.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction and guest biography

01:59 How did the Awakening Alchemy approach develop?

05:35 What are the Three Treasures (jing, qi, shen)?

09:29 How do the Three Treasures map onto satipatthana and the four jhanas?

11:58 How do heaven, earth, person and fire and water map onto the body?

16:26 How do we practically work with the Three Treasures?

18:44 Phase one: how do we settle into yin until yang is born?

26:06 How do you find the dantian by feel?

32:40 What is bellows breathing and how is it practiced?

35:33 Phase three: what happens when we "steam the medicine"?

41:10 What are the microcosmic orbit and the magpie bridge?

44:27 How do the three phases cycle together (the firing cycle)?

48:51 How do we use dantian awareness with difficult emotions in daily life?

51:29 What are warrior fire and scholar fire?

53:21 How do the three dantians wire together?

58:52 What is the postural shift that opens the heart center?

1:03:08 Which phase does the wiring of the dantians belong to?

1:04:34 What happens when the dantians connect into an "antenna"?

1:09:41 How would one know they've touched this antenna phase?

1:11:04 What is the "ball of medicine" that gathers with practice?

1:16:05 How should practitioners handle setbacks, timelines, and support?

1:21:00 Can you demonstrate the opening and closing practices?

1:28:19 What about standing meditation (zhan zhuang) and shaking practice?

1:32:21 Why does ethical restraint (sila) matter for this practice?

1:38:05 How does this system map onto the Anapanasati Sutta's 16 steps?

1:44:33 Where does jhana fit into this framework?

1:51:16 How do the jhana similes describe these body experiences?

1:54:03 What is the nada sound (the "sound of silence") and how do you find it?

1:56:17 How does this practice fuel metta and the Brahmaviharas?

2:00:16 How do capacity and merit affect spiritual development?

We are especially grateful for the work of Chetan Raj in filming and editing, and of Alex Haynes in creating the instructive imagery. Sadhu!

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Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events!

- Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:30 pm PT, YouTube then Zoom)

- Saturday Morning Meditation, Teaching, & Coffee Social (9:30 - 11 am PT, Online & In-Person)

- Sunday Evening “Mission Majjhima!” Sutta Teaching & Discussion (5:00 - 6 pm PT, Online)

See https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/ or visit https://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!

In this session, Ajahn Kovilo speaks about four doors to entering into the perception of space (ākāsa-saññā or ākāsānañcāyatana-saññā):

1) transcending form (rūpasaññānaṃ samatikkamā);

2) setting down resistance (paṭighasaññānaṃ atthaṅgamā);

3) unhooking duality (nānattasaññānaṃ amanasikārā);

4) resting in space (‘ananto ākāso’ti ākāsānañcāyatanaṃ upasampajja viharati).

Bhikkhu Sujato Translation:

"With the...surmounting of perceptions of form, with the disappearance of perceptions of impingement, not focusing on perceptions of diversity, aware that ‘space is infinite’, one enters and remains in the dimension of infinite space."

Bhikkhu Bodhi Translation:

"With the...surmounting of perceptions of form, with the disappearance of perceptions of sensory impact, with non-attention to perceptions of diversity, aware that ‘space is infinite,’ some bhikkhu enters upon and abides in the base of infinite space."

Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events!

- Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:30 pm PT, YouTube then Zoom)

- Saturday Morning Meditation, Teaching, & Coffee Social (9:30 - 11 am PT, Online & In-Person)

- Sunday Evening “Mission Majjhima!” Sutta Teaching & Discussion (5:00 - 6 pm PT, Online)

See https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/ or visit https://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!

In this talk, Ajahn Nisabho speaks the importance in practice of directing attention and intention to shape our path and experience. The word "adhiṭṭāna" ("determination" or "vow") describes such training, as does the Buddha's frequent admonishment to his discples, "Evañhi vo … sikkhitabbaṃ" ("Thus you should train yourselves...").

Some Suttas where the Buddha speaks about this setting of intention include the Mahāgosiṅga Sutta (MN 32 - https://suttacentral.net/mn32/en/bodhi?lang=en&reference=none&highlight=false), AN 2.5 (https://suttacentral.net/an2.5/en/sujato?lang=en&layout=plain&reference=none&notes=asterisk&highlight=false&script=latin)

Ajahn Kovilo and others have compiled an anthology of the Buddha's other encouragements towards training in "Thus Should You Train Yourselves" (https://www.clearmountain.org/2024/06/11/thus-should-you-train-yourselves/)

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Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events!

- Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:30 pm PT, YouTube then Zoom)

- Saturday Morning Meditation, Teaching, & Coffee Social (9:30 - 11 am PT, Online & In-Person)

- Sunday Evening “Mission Majjhima!” Sutta Teaching & Discussion (5:00 - 6 pm PT, Online)

See https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/ or visit https://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!

In this session, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho interview Ajahn Brahm, abbot of Bodhinyana Monastery (https://bswa.org/). The discussion delves into Ajahn's path to ordination, advice for achieving deep samādhi, thoughts on Stream Entry, stories of devas, tales of Luang Por Chah, and more.

00:00:00 Introduction and Greetings

00:00:27 Humor in Meditation and Teaching

00:01:50 Key Moments and Faith leading to Ordination

00:02:43 Joining the Cambridge University Buddhist Society

00:05:15 Psychic Research and Hunting Ghosts

00:07:18 The Impact of Deep Meditative Experiences

00:07:52 Instructions for Mindfulness of Breathing

00:10:29 Frequency of Deep Experiences in Students

00:11:34 Guiding Students Through the "Beautiful Breath"

00:13:35 The "Cheshire Cat" Simile for Deep Meditation

00:14:54 Addressing the Fear of Attachment to Bliss

00:15:35 Advice for Those Struggling to Reach Deep States

00:18:16 Reflections on Cultural Advice and Identity

00:19:44 Defining "Nibbidā" (Disenchantment or Disgust)

00:21:41 Teaching Mindfulness in Prisons

00:23:51 The Story of the Imprisoned Thai Monk

00:26:26 Avoiding Overwhelm in Monastic Administrative Roles

00:26:49 Lessons from a Monastery Bushfire

00:29:12 The Story of the Nine Bottles of Pepsi

00:36:41 Rational Belief in Devas and Making Determinations

00:38:21 The Story of the Winning Horse in Singapore

00:41:58 Thoughts on Bodhisattvas and Enlightened Beings

00:44:27 Comparing the Bodhisattva Ideal and the Theravada Path

00:46:47 Addressing Skepticism Toward Rebirth and Devas

00:49:00 Recalling Early Life and Past Life Memories

00:52:03 Ending Doubt and the Experience of Stream Entry

00:53:39 Reflecting on a False Experience of Enlightenment

00:59:29 Advice for a Younger Self at Key Junctures

01:02:18 Finding Hope Amidst Suffering and World Events

01:04:09 Lightning Round: Cleaning vs. Meditation

01:04:57 Lightning Round: The Biggest Test of Patience

01:05:27 Lightning Round: On Sitting Quietly Alone

01:05:49 Lightning Round: Favorite Sutta

01:06:15 Lightning Round: Most Influential Teacher After Ajahn Chah

01:09:45 Final Reflection: A Favorite Memory of Ajahn Chah

01:14:52 Closing Advice for Young Monastics

Ajahn Brahm's Biography in Brief:

Ajahn Brahm (Ajahn Brahmavamso Mahathera), born in London in 1951, is a Theravada Buddhist monk. Ajahn Brahm grew up in London and earned a degree in Theoretical Physics from Cambridge University. Disillusioned with the world of academe, he trained as a monk in the jungles of Thailand under Ajahn Chah. A monk for over thirty years, Ajahn Brahm is the abbot of Bodhinyana Monastery, in Serpentine, Western Australia—one of the largest monasteries in the southern hemisphere; and he has also been influential in establishing Dhammasara Nuns' Monastery northeast of Perth. He is the Spiritual Director of the Buddhist Society of Western Australia, and spiritual adviser for various Buddhist centers throughout Asia and Australia. His books include "Mindfulness, Bliss, and Beyond: A Meditator's Handbook", "Who Ordered this Truckload of Dung", "The Art of Disappearing," and "Don't Worry Be Grumpy".

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Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events!

- Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:30 pm PT, YouTube then Zoom)

- Saturday Morning Meditation, Teaching, & Coffee Social (9:30 - 11 am PT, Online & In-Person)

- Sunday Evening “Mission Majjhima!” Sutta Teaching & Discussion (5:00 - 6 pm PT, Online)

See https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/ or visit https://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!

In this session, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho interview Brother Pháp Lưu, the eldest non-Vietnamese American monk in the Plum Village tradition who is currently at Deer Park Monastery (https://deerparkmonastery.org/).

Biography of Brother Pháp Lưu:

Ordained as a monk since December 13, 2003, Brother Chân Pháp Lưu (Brother Stream) received Transmission of the Lamp from Zen Master Thích Nhất Hạnh to teach in 2011. He helped start Wake-Up, the international movement for young people, as well as the Happy Farm, Plum Village’s organic farming community, and has been working with Wake-Up Schools since its inception in 2012 to bring mindfulness to schools.

He has served as a monastic editor several of Thích Nhát Hạnh’s books including Happy Teachers Change the World, Stepping Into Freedom, Cracking the Walnut, The Admonitions and Encouraging Words of Master Guishan, and How to Focus.

Brother Phap Luu leads mindful backpacking retreats in nature around Deer Park Monastery in Escondido, California and recently co-authored a book with Brother Phap Xa called Hiking Zen.

Brother Stream has been working lately with scientists at Dartmouth College and Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health to develop research on the effect of Plum Village mindfulness practices on children. He also serves on the Advisory Board of the Thích Nhát Hạnh Center for Mindfulness in Public Health at the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

He is the 201st disciple of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh and belongs to the 43rd generation of the Lâm Tế lineage and the 9th generation of the Liễu Quán school.

The link to the 7:00-7:45 pm Zoom session following the livestream may be found on the event listing at https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/events/wednesday/.

Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events!

- Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:45 pm PT, YouTube then Zoom)

- Saturday Morning Meditation, Teaching, & Coffee Social (9:30 - 11 am PT, Online & In-Person)

- Sunday Evening “Mission Majjhima!” Sutta Teaching & Discussion (5:00 - 6 pm PT, Online)

See https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/ or visit https://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!

In this interview, Ajahn Kovilo & Ajahn Nisabho speak with Mingyur Rinpoche (https://tergar.org/)

00:00 Introduction

03:29 Monastic Background and Biography

06:22 Motivation for the Wandering Pilgrimage

10:30 Utility and Traps of the Self-Image

15:36 Near-Death Experience in Kushinagar

24:48 Dynamic Between Effort and Non-Effort

30:36 Innate Qualities of Awareness, Love, and Compassion

40:56 Pointing-Out Instructions and Lineage Transmission

46:05 Nature of Mind as Mundane vs. Transcendent

52:20 Preparing for the Process of Dying

58:03 Closing Blessing and Remarks

Mingyur Rinpoche Biography:

Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche (born 1975) is a Tibetan Nepali master of the Karma Kagyu and Nyingma lineages of Tibetan Buddhism, a bestselling author, and the leader of the international Tergar Meditation Community. Raised by his father, the prominent Dzogchen and Mahamudra meditation master Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, he began studying meditation at age nine, entered formal training at Sherab Ling Monastery in India at age eleven, was recognized by the 16th Karmapa and by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche as a tulku-incarnation of historical Adept Meditation masters at age twelve, began his first 3-year retreat at age 13, became functioning abbot of Sherab Ling at age twenty, and received full monastic ordination at age twenty-three. In addition to completing the construction of Tergar Monastery in Bodhgaya and overseeing Tergar Osel Ling Monastery in Kathmandu, Rinpoche embarked on a transformative four-year wandering retreat/pilgrimage in 2011 recounted in his book _In Love with the World: A Monk's Journey Through the Bardos of Living and Dying. He is also well-known globally for his accessible approach to meditation, detailed in his international bestselling books The Joy of Living (2007) and Joyful Wisdom (2009), and through his stepwise online courses available through Varjrayana Online (https://vajrayana.tergar.org/)

Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events!

- Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:30 pm PT, YouTube then Zoom)

- Saturday Morning Meditation, Teaching, & Coffee Social (9:30 - 11 am PT, Online & In-Person)

- Sunday Evening “Mission Majjhima!” Sutta Teaching & Discussion (5:00 - 6 pm PT, Online)

See https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/ or visit https://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!

In this session, Ajahn Kovilo speaks about the Four Noble Truths and the Discourse on Setting in Motion of the Wheel of Dhamma in honor of Āsāḷha Pūjā.

Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events!

- Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:30 pm PT, YouTube then Zoom)

- Saturday Morning Meditation, Teaching, & Coffee Social (9:30 - 11 am PT, Online & In-Person)

- Sunday Evening “Mission Majjhima!” Sutta Teaching & Discussion (5:00 - 6 pm PT, Online)

See https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/ or visit https://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!

In this session, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho celebrate Āsāḷha Pūjā by speaking about the Setting in Motion the Wheel of Dhamma Sutta (SN 56.11 - Dhammacakkappavattanasutta), and its articulation of the Four Noble Truths. They they take questions dealing with topics ranging from the difference between Bodhisattvas and Arahants, to the nature of Nibbāna, to the benefits of memorization. Sadhu!

An article by Ajahn Kovilo on memorizing long Dhamma may be found here: https://www.clearmountain.org/2020/08/01/article-a-fun-way-to-memorize-long-dhamma-with-a-special-focus-on-the-dhammapada/

A recording and text for chanting the Setting in Motion the Wheel of Dhamma Sutta (SN 56.11 - Dhammacakkappavattanasutta) may be found on page 2 of the Amaravati Chanting Book: https://amaravati.org/dhamma-books/chanting-book-volume-two/

The full Sutta text may be found here: https://suttacentral.net/sn56.11/en/bodhi?lang=en&reference=none&highlight=false

A recording may be found here: Recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_FNHIPiTns

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The link to the 7:00-7:45 pm Zoom session following the livestream may be found on the event listing at https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/events/wednesday/.

Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events!

- Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:45 pm PT, YouTube then Zoom)

- Saturday Morning Meditation, Teaching, & Coffee Social (9:30 - 11 am PT, Online & In-Person)

- Sunday Evening “Mission Majjhima!” Sutta Teaching & Discussion (5:00 - 6 pm PT, Online)

See https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/ or visit https://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!

In this session, Ajahn Nisabho speaks with Kim Grose Moore and Tommy "Shakur" Ross from the GRIP (Guiding Rage Into Power) Training Institute (https://grip-traininginstitute.org/) about their work in prisons teaching inmates to transform trauma and anger into meaningful internal change. The program, inspired by Dhammic principles and practices, has helped almost 2000 graduates move towards genuine freedom of heart, even while behind bars.

To learn more about GRIP and support, visit https://grip-traininginstitute.org/

To sign up for their newsletter, visit https://secure.everyaction.com/pDQIgRHaHUaPNnI5Xurq-A2

Biography of Kim:

Kim Grose Moore is the Executive Director of the GRIP Training Institute, where she leads transformative restorative justice programs across California. By guiding incarcerated individuals through a deep process of trauma healing, and learning mindfulness and emotional intelligence, Kim works to break cycles of violence and develop Peacemakers in the most unlikely of places: prison.

Her leadership is informed by 15 years of faith-based community organizing in the San Francisco Bay Area, focusing on housing, immigration, and criminal justice reform. A Buddhist chaplain in the Theravada tradition and a former Rhodes Scholar, Kim anchors her activism in the principle that "the first revolution is internal." She views the Dharma and mindfulness as the essential foundations for both personal transformation and the broader pursuit of a more just and equitable society.

Biography of Tommy:

Tommy “Shakur” Ross was paroled in 2022 after serving 37 years of incarceration. During that time, he committed himself to personal transformation and achieved extensive growth through education, training, and service. His experience includes work as a peer health educator, circle keeper, group facilitator, podcaster, mentor, event planner and organizer, and restorative justice practitioner.

In 2013, Shakur officially participated in the GRIP Program at San Quentin. He graduated from GRIP and signed the Peacemaker Pledge. Shakur went on to become GRIP facilitator, facilitating Tribes at San Quentin as both an inside and outside facilitator, and at Soledad as an outside facilitator.

Many people ask Shakur, why does he go back inside prison after serving so much time there? His reply is, " because I know the way out, and the way out is sitting in the fire, burning clean, leaving nothing but ashes!"

He remains deeply committed to accountability and restoration, dedicating his life to honoring those he has harmed by giving back to the community and being of service to others.

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The link to the 7:00-7:45 pm Zoom session following the livestream may be found on the event listing at https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/events/wednesday/.

Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events!

- Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 - 7:45 pm PT, YouTube then Zoom)

- Saturday Morning Meditation, Teaching, & Coffee Social (9:30 - 11:00 am PT, Online & In-Person)

- Sunday Evening “Mission Majjhima!” Sutta Teaching & Discussion (5:00 - 6:00 pm PT, Online)

See https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/ or visit https://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!

In this session, Ajahn Vinita, longtime attendant and student of Luang Por Sumedho, speaks with deep devotional warmth and sweetness about his affection and love for his teacher, the "simplest, most ordinary human" he's ever met. The talk, given on the Saturday preceding Luang Por Sumedho's 93rd birthday, is made especially poignant in that it was given at Saint Mark's Episcopal Cathedral where Luang Por served as alter boy while growing up in Seattle.

Ajahn Vinita Biography:

Born in Sri Lanka, Ajahn Vinitha ordained as a novice at age 17 in the tradition of Mahasi Sayadaw. After ten years training in Sri Lanka, he had the opportunity to attend to (upaṭṭhāk) Luang Por Sumedho on one of Luang Por's visits to the island. Before returning to England, Luang Por invited Ajahn Vinita to come to England to ordain under him at Amaravati Monastery. Since that time, Ajahn Vinita has diligently lived and trained with Luang Por Sumedho and served the Western Sangha for over 20 years. Ajahn Vinita is currently staying at the Alberta Insight Meditation Centre in Canada.

Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events!

- Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:30 pm PT, YouTube then Zoom)

- Saturday Morning Meditation, Teaching, & Coffee Social (9:30 - 11 am PT, Online & In-Person)

- Sunday Evening “Mission Majjhima!” Sutta Teaching & Discussion (5:00 - 6 pm PT, Online)

See https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/ or visit https://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!

Gratitude Retreat Part 1: https://youtu.be/Bs-ymolbjqs

In this second portion of the daylong gratitude retreat given in June of 2026, Bhante Rahula speaks about the essential practice of cultivating gratitude for the blessings in our life, and the blessings we give to others. Such recollections represent a great support in practice, and our lives, and can be cultivated through practical means. Bring a pen and paper! Special thanks to Luis Navarro (Memo) for inserting the wonderful visuals. To learn more, visit www.bhanterahula.com.

Bio

Bhante Rāhula, born in Mexico, has spent the last 22 years in Asia in various periods, where he has practiced and studied the Dhamma.He was ordained in Myanmar by Sayadaw Dr. Nandamālābhivaṃsa, who is his preceptor. Since 2004 he has received meditation guidance from Sayadaw U Tejaniya. For 6 years, Bhante studied Suttas and Abhidhamma with Sayadaw Dr. Ukkamsacara in Macau. In 2019, he completed a course on Buddhist scriptures from Harvard University. He underwent monastic Vinaya training for 2 years in Sasanarakkha Buddhist Sanctuary in Malaysia under the guidance of Ven. Ariyadhammika, where he also led retreats and Dhamma activities for the local community. Currently, Bhante is constructing the Mexican Buddhist Center (Paññābhūmi) to introduce and propagate the Buddha’s teaching in South America. He is also actively involved in diverse programs to aid parts of the society in overcoming drug addiction and alcoholism, as well as supporting educational campaigns for children and teens to prevent such problem in this region. To learn more, visit www.bhanterahula.com.

00:00 – Introduction: Working with the Mind After a Meal

00:26 – The Three Inner Enemies: Desire, Aversion, and Not Knowing

06:29 – Desire vs. Attachment: The Hummus Story

10:12 – Aversion, Pessimism, and Fear Is a Liar

15:03 – Introducing Gratitude as the Antidote

16:41 – Gratitude List Exercise Begins

20:00 – Group Sharing: What Gratitude Uncovers

42:15 – Warrior Breathing and Body Awareness

48:32 – Silanusati: Recognizing Our Own Goodness

1:03:05 – Worthy and Capable: Overcoming Self-Doubt

1:13:47 – How to Use This Practice Against the Inner Bully

1:17:16 – The Plane Story: Gratitude in the Face of Death

1:30:05 – Group Reflections: Bringing This Practice Home

2:04:52 – Words of Appreciation for Bante Rahula

2:17:16 – Closing Blessing and Dedication

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Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events!

- Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:30 pm PT, YouTube then Zoom)

- Saturday Morning Meditation, Teaching, & Coffee Social (9:30 - 11 am PT, Online & In-Person)

- Sunday Evening “Mission Majjhima!” Sutta Teaching & Discussion (5:00 - 6 pm PT, Online)

See https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/ or visit https://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!

Gratitude Retreat Part 2: https://youtu.be/RJ1mAYVhJ-Y

In this first talk of the daylong gratitude retreat given in June of 2026, Bhante Rahula speaks about how to use practice to take stock of our moment in life, and use it skillfully to cleanse the mind and heart. To learn more, visit www.bhanterahula.com.

Bio

Bhante Rāhula, born in Mexico, has spent the last 22 years in Asia in various periods, where he has practiced and studied the Dhamma.He was ordained in Myanmar by Sayadaw Dr. Nandamālābhivaṃsa, who is his preceptor. Since 2004 he has received meditation guidance from Sayadaw U Tejaniya. For 6 years, Bhante studied Suttas and Abhidhamma with Sayadaw Dr. Ukkamsacara in Macau. In 2019, he completed a course on Buddhist scriptures from Harvard University. He underwent monastic Vinaya training for 2 years in Sasanarakkha Buddhist Sanctuary in Malaysia under the guidance of Ven. Ariyadhammika, where he also led retreats and Dhamma activities for the local community. Currently, Bhante is constructing the Mexican Buddhist Center (Paññābhūmi) to introduce and propagate the Buddha’s teaching in South America. He is also actively involved in diverse programs to aid parts of the society in overcoming drug addiction and alcoholism, as well as supporting educational campaigns for children and teens to prevent such problem in this region. To learn more, visit www.bhanterahula.com.

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Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events!

- Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:30 pm PT, YouTube then Zoom)

- Saturday Morning Meditation, Teaching, & Coffee Social (9:30 - 11 am PT, Online & In-Person)

- Sunday Evening “Mission Majjhima!” Sutta Teaching & Discussion (5:00 - 6 pm PT, Online)

See https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/ or visit https://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!

00:00 Intro & THAI Part-1: On Merit, Meditation, Impermanence, and Karma

15:10 ENGLISH TRANSLATION Part-1

24:25 Question: Expressing Gratitude and Asking About Sitting Together

25:24 Ayya Anandabodhi Gratitude and Luang Por Damrong Sucitto Response

29:43 ENGLISH TRANSLATION Part-2

32:38 Question: Requesting a Monastic Blessing

In this talk, Luang Por Damrong Siribadaddho, one of the most senior disciples of Ajahn Chah, teaches that material wealth and physical health are impermanent, urging the community to find true happiness by cultivating inner peace through generosity, morality, and meditation.

Biography:

Luang Por Damrong SIribaddho, or Phra Khru Bhaddadhammasiri, is a direct disciple of Luang Por Chah who has been in robes for 57 years. He is the is abbot of Wat Pah Nam Khamgeung (วัดป่าน้ำคำเกิ่ง) in Ubon, Thailand.

Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events!

- Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:30 pm PT, YouTube then Zoom)

- Saturday Morning Meditation, Teaching, & Coffee Social (9:30 - 11 am PT, Online & In-Person)

- Sunday Evening “Mission Majjhima!” Sutta Teaching & Discussion (5:00 - 6 pm PT, Online)

See https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/ or visit https://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!

In this session, Ajahn Kovilo will be interviewing Ajahn Nyaniko—abbot of Abhayagiri Monastery in California—about the Thai Forest methods of training the heart as found in the teachings of Luang Por Chah, Luang Por Baen, and in his own experience leading a monastic community of sincere seekers. The interview is organized around the teachings and "korwat" (monastic training protocols) found in the book "The Way Forward" by Luang Por Baen (as translated by Ajahn Nyaniko). "Training Thai Style"

- pdf of "The Way Forward": https://dn710703.ca.archive.org/0/items/TheWayForwardLuangPorBaen/The%20Way%20Forward%20-%20Luang%20Por%20Baen%20.pdf

Ajahn Nyaniko's Biography:

Ajahn Nyaniko was born and raised in California. In 2001, at the age of 20, he visited Abhayagiri and decided to request anagarika ordination. In 2002 he took novice ordination, and in July 2003 he was ordained as a bhikkhu. He received his basic training from Luang Por Pasanno and Luang Por Amaro at Abhayagiri, and has also spent over six years training in Thailand. Since Ajahn Pasanno stepped back from his leadership role in 2018, Ajahn Nyaniko has guided the Abhayagiri community first as co-abbot with Ajahn Karunadhammo and now as sole abbot.

The link to the 7:00-7:45 pm Zoom session following the livestream may be found on the event listing at https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/events/wednesday/.

Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events!

- Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 - 7:45 pm PT, YouTube then Zoom)

- Saturday Morning Meditation, Teaching, & Coffee Social (9:30 - 11:00 am PT, Online & In-Person)

- Sunday Evening “Mission Majjhima!” Sutta Teaching & Discussion (5:00 - 6:00 pm PT, Online)

See https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/ or visit https://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!

00:00 Intro and THAI Part-1: On Taking Precepts

07:13 ENGLISH TRANSLATION Part-1

10:28 THAI Part-2: Main Talk

21:47 ENGLISH TRANSLATION Part-2

In this talk, Luang Por Damrong Sucitto, one of the most senior disciples of Ajahn Chah, speaks about the importance of keeping sīla, or virtue, and of finding the deeper truths of the heart through observing the breath.

Bio

Luang Por Damrong Sucitto (หลวงพ่อดำรงค์ สุจิตโต - พระครูภาวนาสารคุณ)

Luang Por Damrong Sucitto (Phra Khru Bhāvanāsāraguṇa), direct disciple of Luang Por Chah and monk for over 50 years, is abbot of Wat Pah Pluem Phatthana (วัดป่าปลื้มพัฒนา) in Buriram, Thailand. 

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Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events!

- Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:30 pm PT, YouTube then Zoom)

- Saturday Morning Meditation, Teaching, & Coffee Social (9:30 - 11 am PT, Online & In-Person)

- Sunday Evening “Mission Majjhima!” Sutta Teaching & Discussion (5:00 - 6 pm PT, Online)

See https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/ or visit https://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!

00:00:00 THAI - Luang Por Jandee on Three Types of Drunkenness

00:15:46 ENGLISH TRANSLATION

00:32:40 Q1 - Practicing Right View as a layperson

00:33:31 THAI - Right View

00:34:36 ENGLISH TRANSLATION

00:36:08 THAI - Luang Por Chah on Right View

00:36:44 ENGLISH TRANSLATION

00:37:48 Q2 - Cultivating good health vs. getting drunk on health

00:39:06 THAI - Good Health

00:41:03 ENGLISH TRANSLATION

00:42:38 Q3 - A surprising teaching from Luang Por Chah

00:43:31 THAI - Surprising Teaching

00:45:35 ENGLISH TRANSLATION

00:48:41 Q4 - Finding encouragement during monastic suffering

00:49:43 THAI - Answer on Monastic Suffering

00:51:32 ENGLISH TRANSLATION

00:54:32 THAI - Final Summary and Inspiration

01:03:54 ENGLISH TRANSLATION

01:09:54 THAI - Concluding Remarks

01:12:39 ENGLISH TRANSLATION

01:14:27 THAI - Closing Blessing

In this talk, Luang Por Jundee, one of the most senior disciples of Luang Por Chah, expands on two original poems speaking to the brevity of life and need to be heedful. To see things with Right View, we must understand their nature to arise and pass away, and understand ourselves as subject to the same forces. As it becomes accustomed to these truths of nature, the heart may find peace. Also, it will learn, in the words of Luang Por Chah, to see ducks and ducks, chickens and chickens, and the papaya salad of practice as irresistible.

Luang Por Jundee's talk was followed by a Dhamma teaching from Luang Por Damrong Sucitto, another of Ajahn Chah's most senior disciples, on finding truth in one's own breath and practice.

Bio

Luang Por Jundee (หลวงพ่อจันดี กันตสาโร)

Luang Por Jundee Kantasāro, direct disciple of Luang Por Chah and monk for almost 50 years, is the abbot of Wat Pah Ampawan (วัดป่าอัมพวัน) in Chonburi, Thailand.

Luang Por Damrong Sucitto (หลวงพ่อดำรงค์ สุจิตโต - พระครูภาวนาสารคุณ)

Luang Por Damrong Sucitto (Phra Khru Bhāvanāsāraguṇa), direct disciple of Luang Por Chah and monk for over 50 years, is abbot of Wat Pah Pluem Phatthana (วัดป่าปลื้มพัฒนา) in Buriram, Thailand.

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Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events!

- Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:30 pm PT, YouTube then Zoom)

- Saturday Morning Meditation, Teaching, & Coffee Social (9:30 - 11 am PT, Online & In-Person)

- Sunday Evening “Mission Majjhima!” Sutta Teaching & Discussion (5:00 - 6 pm PT, Online)

See https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/ or visit https://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!

In this Q&A session, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho discuss seclusion of body (kāya-viveka) and seclusion of mind (citta-viveka), how to apply the fourth establishment of mindfulness (mindfulness of dhammas) in meditation, ways of dealing with aversion, skillful means of nonviolent communication, and the benefits of retreat versus stays at monasteries.

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Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events!

- Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:45 pm PT, YouTube then Zoom)

- Saturday Morning Meditation, Teaching, & Coffee Social (9:30 - 11 am PT, Online & In-Person)

- Sunday Evening “Mission Majjhima!” Sutta Teaching & Discussion (5:00 - 6 pm PT, Online)

See https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/ or visit https://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!

In this talk—given on July 4th, 2026—Ajahn Kovilo speaks about dependence (nissaya, paccaya), interdependence (aññāmaññapaccaya), and independence (anissita) in their various Theravāda Buddhist contexts.

Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events!

- Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:30 pm PT, YouTube then Zoom)

- Saturday Morning Meditation, Teaching, & Coffee Social (9:30 - 11 am PT, Online & In-Person)

- Sunday Evening “Mission Majjhima!” Sutta Teaching & Discussion (5:00 - 6 pm PT, Online)

See https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/ or visit https://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!

In this session, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho speak with Kaira Jewel Lingo, teacher, author, and former nun whose work integrates the traditions of Zen and Vipassana with a focus on social, racial, and environmental justice (http://www.kairajewel.com/).

00:00:00 Introduction

00:01:38 Discussion on the dichotomy of softness and directness in teaching

00:02:35 Personal history: Growing up in spiritual and international communities

00:03:05 Key moments leading to Buddhist faith and ordination

00:07:41 The search for spiritual community after leaving childhood home

00:08:22 First encounter with Plum Village and Thich Nhat Hanh

00:09:53 Early inspirations from Catholic nuns in Kenya

00:10:33 Specific resonances of Buddhist teachings compared to Christianity

00:12:37 Transition from yoga and meditation to practical Buddhism

00:13:54 Mindfulness as a common language for international community

00:14:05 Impact of reading Old Path White Clouds and learning about Thich Nhat Hanh

00:16:38 The practice of curiosity and mindfulness in daily activities

00:20:09 Building trust through shared practice in diverse groups

00:22:32 Overview of the Five Mindfulness Trainings and gatha practice

00:24:44 A portrait of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh's life and work

00:26:12 The origin and application of Engaged Buddhism

00:28:12 Thich Nhat Hanh's commitment to peace and nonviolence despite exile

00:30:10 Foundations of the Plum Village lineage and core sutras

00:31:44 Interfaith respect and the unification of spiritual traditions

00:33:40 Adapting mindfulness for secular contexts and specific groups

00:36:48 Advice on finding and building community in a modern age

00:40:20 Creating a sangha in families and local groups

00:41:51 Deep dive into the Five Mindfulness Trainings as a North Star

00:45:19 Why Thich Nhat Hanh reframed precepts as Mindfulness Trainings

00:48:29 Navigating ethical dilemmas and nourishing compassion

00:52:49 Addressing race, privilege, and inclusion in Buddhist spaces

00:56:46 Understanding privilege as part of the spiritual path

01:01:18 The path of downward mobility and perspective of monastics

01:01:47 Sharing daily gatas for waking, mirrors, and sweeping

01:03:32 Reflecting on the end of the day and diligence in practice

01:04:11 Closing remarks and future connections

Kaira Jewel Lingo's Biography:

Kaira Jewel Lingo is a senior Dharma teacher in the Plum Village Zen lineage and a Vipassana teacher, and a member of the Plum Village North American Dharma Teachers Council of Elders. Her work continues the Engaged Buddhism developed by Thich Nhat Hanh, drawing inspiration from her parents’ lives of service and her father’s work with Martin Luther King, Jr. After living as an ordained nun for 15 years in Thich Nhat Hanh’s monastic community, Kaira Jewel now teaches internationally in the Zen and Vipassana traditions, as well as in secular mindfulness contexts. Her teaching focuses on the intersection of racial, climate, and social justice, with particular care for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities, as well as activists, artists, educators, families, and youth. Based in New York, she offers spiritual mentoring and is faculty in a Buddhist Eco-Chaplaincy training, and one of the guiding teachers of One Earth Sangha. She is the author of We Were Made for These Times: Ten Lessons in Moving Through Change, Loss, and Disruption, and co-author of Healing Our Way Home: Black Buddhist Teachings on Ancestors, Joy, and Liberation. More information about Kaira's teachings and events can be found at http://www.kairajewel.com/

Mindfulness Training Gathas: https://mindfulgatha.wordpress.com/gathas/

Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events!

- Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:30 pm PT, YouTube then Zoom)

- Saturday Morning Meditation, Teaching, & Coffee Social (9:30 - 11 am PT, Online & In-Person)

- Sunday Evening “Mission Majjhima!” Sutta Teaching & Discussion (5:00 - 6 pm PT, Online)

See https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/ or visit https://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!

In this interview, Ahahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho speak with early Google engineer and author Chade-Meng Tan (https://chademeng.com/). He is also the founder of Buddhism.net (https://buddhism.net/).

00:01:21 Meng's early life and path to Buddhism

00:06:21 Integrating Buddhist inspiration into Google

00:16:15 Scaling transformation and transcendence in society

00:23:15 The accessibility of joy and its training methods

00:32:42 Inspiring spiritual depth in world and business leaders

00:40:21 Meditation strategies for computer programmers

00:45:27 Corporate management principles for monastic delegation

00:49:22 Managing digital devices and mental distractions

00:55:03 Skillful leadership, resilience, and systemic recovery

Chade-Meng's Biography:

Chade-Meng Tan (Meng) is an award-winning engineer, international bestselling author, movie producer and philanthropist. He is Co-founder of Buddhism.net (https://buddhism.net/) and Co-chair of One Billion Acts of Peace (https://chademeng.com/about/bio/billionacts.org), which has been nominated by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and seven other Nobel Laureates for the Nobel Peace Prize. He was also Executive Producer of the movie Walk With Me (https://walkwithmefilm.com/), and Adjunct Professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy in the National University of Singapore. He co-founded the Search Inside Yourself Leadership Institute (SIYLI, pronounced “silly”). He retired from Google as its Jolly Good Fellow at the age of 45. Meng led the creation of a groundbreaking mindfulness-based emotional intelligence course at Google called Search Inside Yourself, which was also the title of Meng's first New York Time's bestselling book.

Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events!

- Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:30 pm PT, YouTube then Zoom)

- Saturday Morning Meditation, Teaching, & Coffee Social (9:30 - 11 am PT, Online & In-Person)

- Sunday Evening “Mission Majjhima!” Sutta Teaching & Discussion (5:00 - 6 pm PT, Online)

See https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/ or visit https://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!

In this session, Ajahn Kovilo speaks about bringing loving-awareness and creativity to one's practice of the Five Subjects for Frequent Recollection:

1) "I am of the nature to age. I have not gone beyond aging."

2) "I am of the nature to sicken. I have not gone beyond sickness."

3) "I am of the nature to die. I have not gone beyond dying."

4) "All that is mine, beloved and pleasing, will become otherwise, will become separated from me."

5) "I am the owner of my kamma, heir to my kamma, born of my kamma, related through my kamma, abide supported by my kamma. Whatever kamma I shall do, for good or for ill, of that, I will be the heir."

Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events!

- Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:30 pm PT, YouTube then Zoom)

- Saturday Morning Meditation, Teaching, & Coffee Social (9:30 - 11 am PT, Online & In-Person)

- Sunday Evening “Mission Majjhima!” Sutta Teaching & Discussion (5:00 - 6 pm PT, Online)

See https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/ or visit https://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!

In this series of five talks given on June 20 for Clear Mountain's fourth annual Almsgiving Ceremony, we hear from 5 monastics:

00:00:00 - Ayya Niyyānika on how practice begins now, rather than when the monastery is finished;

00:02:45 - Ajahn Pandit on the story of Anaruddha, and the relentlessness of worldly life;

00:09:38 Ajahn Cunda on the wisdom of finishing work internally every day;

00:13:43 Bhante Rāhula on the joy of seeing the four Buddhist communities gathered together;

00:19:15 Maechee Paññāsiri on how a monastery is a mirror for our own minds.

Ayya Niyyānika's:

Ayya Niyyānika trained for eight years in California bhikkhunī communities before traveling throughout the West and Asia to deepen their understanding of renunciation, Saṅgha, and global Buddhist practice. Now part of Passaddhi Vihara in the Pacific Northwest, they center their monastic practice on embodiment rooted in kindness and wise compassion.

Ajahn Pandit's:

Ajahn Pandit is a British monk and founder of the Little Bangkok Sangha. Ordained in Thailand in 1996, he holds degrees in psychology and Buddhist Studies from Mahā Chulalongkorn University.

Ajahn Cunda:

Raised in Chicago, Ajahn Cunda moved to California and ordained as a bhikkhu at Abhayagiri Buddhist Monastery in 2008, training there for over eight years under Luang Por Pasanno and Ajahn Amaro. After practicing widely at various international forest monasteries across Canada, Australia, England, and Italy, he returned to Abhayagiri in 2022 and will begin a one-year retreat at Birken Monastery in this July.

Bhante Rāhula:

Born in Mexico, Bhante Rāhula ordained in Myanmar under Sayadaw Dr. Nandamālābhivaṃsa and spent over two decades in Asia studying scripture and meditation under prominent masters, including a course at Harvard University in 2019. He now runs the Mexican Buddhist Center (Paññābhūmi) to spread the Buddha's teachings in the region while actively leading addiction recovery and youth prevention programs.

Maechee Paññāsiri:

Born and raised in Shanghai, Maechee Paññāsirī worked as a writer, creative director, and yoga teacher before fulfilling a lifelong spiritual quest by ordaining in Thailand under Ven. Ajahn Jayasāro in 2020. She currently resides at a nuns' hermitage near Khao Yai, Thailand, where she practices in the Ajahn Chah forest tradition and teaches Clear Mountain community members via Zoom.

Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events!

- Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:30 pm PT, YouTube then Zoom)

- Saturday Morning Meditation, Teaching, & Coffee Social (9:30 - 11 am PT, Online & In-Person)

- Sunday Evening “Mission Majjhima!” Sutta Teaching & Discussion (5:00 - 6 pm PT, Online)

See https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/ or visit https://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!

In this session, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho interview Steve James, meditation teacher & host of the Guru Viking Podcast (https://www.guruviking.com/).

00:00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:01:32 Formative faith moments and vocation

00:06:18 Life on an English canal boat

00:08:40 The rhythm of travel and interviewing

00:10:59 Interviewing the same guest over time

00:14:20 Most moving and luminous conversations

00:17:21 Handling negative reactivity in conversation

00:22:24 Balancing internal and external awareness

00:23:50 Advice for engaging with teachers and mentors

00:29:50 Finding beauty in people on different paths

00:34:45 Questions that bring out conversational depth

00:41:06 Personal frameworks for organizing experience

00:48:15 Belief alignments and the "pie chart" of faith

00:55:30 Personal relationship to the Buddha

00:59:44 Navigating dual vs. non-dual teachings

Steve James' Biography:

Steve James is an international educator specializing in somatic practices, meditation, and contemplative inquiry. Through public workshops and private consultancy, he facilitates deep explorations into mystic traditions and relational dynamics. He is the creator of the Movement Koan Method and the host of the Guru Viking Podcast, a platform through which he interviews a wide range of Buddhist and non-Buddhist spiritual teachers and adepts, and through which we first came to know of Steve. To learn more about Steve, visit https://www.guruviking.com/ or tune in to his YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@GuruViking

Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events!

- Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:30 pm PT, YouTube then Zoom)

- Saturday Morning Meditation, Teaching, & Coffee Social (9:30 - 11 am PT, Online & In-Person)

- Sunday Evening “Mission Majjhima!” Sutta Teaching & Discussion (5:00 - 6 pm PT, Online)

See https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/ or visit https://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!

In this talk given on June 20 on the occasion of Clear Mountain's fourth annual Almsgiving Ceremony, Ajahn Sudanto—abbot of The Pacific Hermitage in White Salmon, WA—speaks about moving past the initial "romantic phase" of spiritual life into a resilient commitment. Celebrating Clear Mountain Monastery's new land, he warns that longing for flawless conditions is a delusion, reminding us that true practice requires anchoring faith with determination, rising above liking and disliking to weather the inevitable ups and downs of the journey. For more information about Ajahn Sudanto and the Pacific Hermitage, visit: https://pacifichermitage.org/

Ajahn Sudanto's bio:

Born in Portland, Oregon in 1968, Ajahn Sudanto discovered Buddhism while earning his Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Oregon, sparking an open-ended spiritual journey through India and Southeast Asia. He eventually traveled to Thailand for intensive study and meditation at Wat Pah Nanachat, where he took full ordination as a bhikkhu in 1994 under Ajahn Pasanno. After five years of training within the Ajahn Chah forest tradition, he relocated to California to live and train with the emerging sangha at Abhayagiri Monastery. Following a successful summer retreat in the Columbia River Gorge in 2007, the Abhayagiri community tasked him with leading the establishment of the Pacific Hermitage in White Salmon, Washington, in 2010. Later, he took a year-long sabbatical spanning 2021 and early 2022, which he spent residing at Abhayagiri and Birken Forest Monastery in British Columbia before returning to his teaching duties.

Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events!

- Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:30 pm PT, YouTube then Zoom)

- Saturday Morning Meditation, Teaching, & Coffee Social (9:30 - 11 am PT, Online & In-Person)

- Sunday Evening “Mission Majjhima!” Sutta Teaching & Discussion (5:00 - 6 pm PT, Online)

See https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/ or visit https://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!

In this talk given on June 20 on the occasion of Clear Mountain's fourth annual Almsgiving Ceremony, Ayya Ānandabodhi—abbess of Pārāyana Vihara in Port Townsend, WA—speaks about the joy of spiritual community, the danger of letting an untethered mind wander into modern-day 'hell realms,' and how to anchor ourselves in the present moment through the dual foundations of ethical living (sīla) and somatic awareness of the breath. For more information about Ayya Ānandabodhī or Pārāyana Vihara, visit: https://parayanavihara.org/

Ayya Ānandabodhī's bio:

Ayya Ānandabodhī was born and raised in Wales, UK. Ayya first encountered the Buddha’s teaching in her early teens while reading about the Four Noble Truths. This was life-changing and from that moment she experienced a deep confidence in the Buddha’s insight and a wish to understand his teachings more deeply. At the age of 24, Ayya began monastic training at Amaravati Buddhist Monastery in England under the guidance of Ajahn Sumedho. Seventeen years later she moved to the USA with a wish to create more opportunities for women monastics. In 2011 she took full Bhikkhunī Ordination, joining the worldwide revival of the Theravāda Bhikkhunī Order. Ayya Ānandabodhī loves to share the Dhamma. Ayya’s practice is guided by early Buddhist scriptures, living in community, and through nature’s pure and immediate Dhamma.

Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events!

- Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:30 pm PT, YouTube then Zoom)

- Saturday Morning Meditation, Teaching, & Coffee Social (9:30 - 11 am PT, Online & In-Person)

- Sunday Evening “Mission Majjhima!” Sutta Teaching & Discussion (5:00 - 6 pm PT, Online)

See https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/ or visit https://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!

In this session, Ajahn Cunda—Abhayagiri-ordained senior monk and good friend of Ajahns Kovilo and Nisabho—speaks about cultivation as a garden and a tool kit ... and how to use a shovel and washing machine!

Ajahn Cunda's Bio:

Ajahn Cunda was raised in a warm and loving family in the Northern suburbs of Chicago and moved to California in 1996. His interest in Buddhism began in high school, continued in college, led him on a spiritual search to Asia, and eventually drew him towards Theravāda meditation practices. It was not until he first came into contact with the monks of Abhayagiri, however, that he understood how monastic training could lead to a life of wisdom and peace. Ajahn Cunda moved to Abhayagiri in late 2005, and after two years training as an Anagārika and Sāmaṇera, ordained as a Bhikkhu on May 22, 2008. Under Luang Por Pasanno and Ajahn Amaro, he trained at Abhayagiri for eight and a half years. In 2014, Ajahn Cunda moved to Tisaraṇa Monastery in Canada, to practice under the guidance of Luang Por Vīradhammo. In 2017, he began living in several western monasteries, including Bodhivana and Dhammagiri in Australia, Chithurst in England, and Santacittārāma in Italy, before returning to Abhayagiri in early 2020. In 2021, Ajahn Cunda spent a year at the Pacific Hermitage and returned to Abhayagiri in 2022. In July of 2026 Ajahn Cunda plans to begin a stay at Birken Monastery (Canada) for a one year retreat.

Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events!

- Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:30 pm PT, YouTube then Zoom)

- Saturday Morning Meditation, Teaching, & Coffee Social (9:30 - 11 am PT, Online & In-Person)

- Sunday Evening “Mission Majjhima!” Sutta Teaching & Discussion (5:00 - 6 pm PT, Online)

See https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/ or visit https://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!

In this interview, Ajahn Nisabho speaks with Amanda Knox, who was falsely convicted of murder in 2009, about her journey to find meaning in prison and forgiveness afterwards. The conversation delves into Amanda's practice of meditation, loving-kindness (metta), and advice for those struggling to forgive.

Bio

Amanda Knox is an exoneree, journalist, public speaker, author of the New York Times best-selling memoir, Waiting to Be Heard, and host of the podcast Hard Knox. Her second book, FREE: My Search for Meaning came out in 2025. Between 2007 and 2015, she spent nearly four years in an Italian prison and eight years on trial for a murder she didn’t commit. She has since become an advocate for criminal justice reform and media ethics. She sits on the advisory council for the Frederick Douglass Project for Justice, serves as an Innocence Network Ambassador and is on The Innocence Center Board of Directors. And she is the recipient of the 2024 Innocence Network Impact Award and the 2025 Catalyst of Change Award from the Washington Innocence Project. To find out more, visit https://www.amandaknox.com/.

00:00 Introduction

01:48 Amanda Knox's background and bio

03:06 What led to the Italian prison

05:22 Wishing for a meditation practice during the darkest times

05:49 The moment of conviction — an existential crisis

08:27 Accepting "this is my life"

10:14 Surviving day by day without a practice

12:44 Life after prison: who am I now?

13:32 The Vipassana retreat disaster

15:56 What brought her back to practice

18:48 Don Salo: the Catholic priest who became her lifeline

22:31 Plagued by "why" questions — and metta practice

24:50 The idea of reaching out to her prosecutor

27:28 Questioning her own motives

29:33 Showing up to give, not to get

32:16 The Four Noble Truths and turning toward suffering

35:44 Reaching out to the prosecutor

38:01 Finding common ground with the man who imprisoned her

40:59 The meeting in Perugia — arriving without attachment

41:28 Delivering her message: "I see you"

43:37 His unexpected response: "I love you"

45:25 Advice for those who can't forgive

46:52 The distinction between forgiveness and understanding

50:11 Has the forgiveness settled in the heart?

51:16 The ongoing splinter: society, not just one man

52:25 Buddhism's joyfulness in the face of darkness

53:24 The Puget Sound Zen Center and building a practice

54:30 The sangha's card after her grandfather died

56:19 Meditating as a family with young children

58:37 Closing reflections

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Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events!

- Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:30 pm PT, YouTube then Zoom)

- Saturday Morning Meditation, Teaching, & Coffee Social (9:30 - 11 am PT, Online & In-Person)

- Sunday Evening “Mission Majjhima!” Sutta Teaching & Discussion (5:00 - 6 pm PT, Online)

See https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/ or visit https://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!

In this three-way talk, Ajahn Kovilo, Ajahn Nisabho, and Maechee Paññasiri speak about the Three Characteristics/Perceptions (tilakkhaṇa), or perceptions:

00:00:00 Introduction & Ajahn Kovilo on Dukkhatā - Pain/Suffering/Unsatisfactoriness

00:11:58 Maechee Paññāsiri on Anattatā - Not-Self

00:27:51 Ajahn Nisabho on Aniccatā - Impermanence

00:43:14 Questions and Answers

By contemplating these skillfully, one can bring the heart to full liberation. The talk also features a surprising number of references to mayonnaise.

Maechee Paññāsirī's Biography:

Sister Maechee Panyasiri is a Chinese-born, Thai forest nun in the tradition of Ven. Ajahn Chah.

Born in 1967 and grew up in Shanghai, China, Sister has worked many years as a writer/creative director, a teacher of yoga, pranayama and meditation, as well as travelling the world, with a deep spiritual pursuit which she was born with. Finally this lifelong inner quest tuned her into the path of Dhamma. In 2018 She became a student of Ven. Ajahn Jayasāro and started the training in various forest monasteries in Thailand as a eight precept Upāsikā.

In 2020 she became a Maechee with Ven. Ajahn Jayasāro as her preceptor and was instructed to go on almsround and not to receive or use money. Sister Maechee Paññāsirī currently remains in a nuns’ hermitage near the Khao Yai mountain in Thailand.

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Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events!

- Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:30 pm PT, YouTube then Zoom)

- Saturday Morning Meditation, Teaching, & Coffee Social (9:30 - 11 am PT, Online & In-Person)

- Sunday Evening “Mission Majjhima!” Sutta Teaching & Discussion (5:00 - 6 pm PT, Online)

See https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/ or visit https://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!

In this session, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho interview Paul Harrison, professor of religious studies at Stanford University (https://religiousstudies.stanford.edu/people/paul-harrison).

00:00:00 Introduction

00:01:23 Balancing academic scholarship and personal spiritual practice

00:04:09 Exploring the spiritual dimension of studying Buddhist texts

00:05:55 How early Mahayana Buddhism emerged

00:08:56 The timeline and setting where Mahayana began to diverge

00:12:54 Explanation of the Lokaksema Corpus and early ascetic Mahayana traditions

00:15:21 The cultural motivations and societal forces that drove the Mahayana movement

00:18:11 Why early texts lack questions about attaining full Buddhahood

00:21:29 The tension between historical scholarly development and traditional faith views

00:25:11 Blind spots in the Theravada and linguistic distances from Pali

00:30:59 The validity of an early Buddhist text conceit vs radical doctrinal differences with Mahayana texts

00:34:48 The implications of written transmission versus oral recitation, and what the Gandhari scrolls reveal about it

00:38:00 Do modern scholars actively practice text memorization?

00:45:59 The historical evidence for ancient Greek and Persian cross-cultural influences on early Buddhism

00:49:57 The polemical framing of Sariputta and the sectarian put-downs of the Shravakas in texts like the Vimalakirti Sutra

00:54:06 The most fascinating current realms of research in Buddhist academia

00:56:13 The key historical and doctrinal insights gained from the Gandhari scrolls

00:57:28 The utility and drawbacks of using AI for translating sacred Buddhist texts

Biography of Paul Harrison:

Paul Harrison is the George Edwin Burnell Professor of Religious Studies at Stanford University. Educated in his native New Zealand and in Australia, he specializes in Buddhist literature and history, especially that of the Mahāyāna, and in the study of Buddhist manuscripts in Sanskrit, Chinese and Tibetan. He has edited and translated a number of Buddhist texts, including the Pratyutpannabuddhasaṃmukhāvasthitasamādhisūtra, the Vajracchedikā, and (with Luis Gómez) the Vimalakīrtinirdeśa, and is also one of the editors of the series “Buddhist Manuscripts in the Schøyen Collection.”

The link to the 7:00-7:45 pm Zoom session following the livestream may be found on the event listing at https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/events/wednesday/.

Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events!

- Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:45 pm PT, YouTube then Zoom)

- Saturday Morning Meditation, Teaching, & Coffee Social (9:30 - 11 am PT, Online & In-Person)

- Sunday Evening “Mission Majjhima!” Sutta Teaching & Discussion (5:00 - 6 pm PT, Online)

See https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/ or visit https://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!

In this talk, Maechee Paññasiri, visiting from Thailand, speaks about the urgency and profundity of the path of practice, and how the mundane moments of life, such as washing a robe, can catalyze the deepest insights. By purifying our sila (virtue) and relying on spiritual friends, we can see what stains remain in the heart and devote ourselves to their purification. When we understand the truth of mortality, only one task remains: that of Awakening.

Maechee Paññāsirī's Biography:

Sister Maechee Panyasiri is a Chinese-born, Thai forest nun in the tradition of Ven. Ajahn Chah.

Born in 1967 and grew up in Shanghai, China, Sister has worked many years as a writer/creative director, a teacher of yoga, pranayama and meditation, as well as travelling the world, with a deep spiritual pursuit which she was born with. Finally this lifelong inner quest tuned her into the path of Dhamma. In 2018 She became a student of Ven. Ajahn Jayasāro and started the training in various forest monasteries in Thailand as a eight precept Upāsikā.

In 2020 she became a Maechee with Ven. Ajahn Jayasāro as her preceptor and was instructed to go on almsround and not to receive or use money. Sister Maechee Paññāsirī currently remains in a nuns’ hermitage near the Khao Yai mountain in Thailand.

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Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events!

- Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:30 pm PT, YouTube then Zoom)

- Saturday Morning Meditation, Teaching, & Coffee Social (9:30 - 11 am PT, Online & In-Person)

- Sunday Evening “Mission Majjhima!” Sutta Teaching & Discussion (5:00 - 6 pm PT, Online)

See https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/ or visit https://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!

In this session, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho speak with Ajahn Achalo, abbot and founder of Ānandagiri Monastery in Pechabun, Thailand (https://www.peacebeyondsuffering.org/)

00:00:00 Welcome and introduction of Ajahn Achalo

00:01:27 Connection with the local village and global uncertainty

00:07:53 Advice for navigating dark or distressing times

00:08:36 Internal practices for holding the heart in a good space

00:13:06 Correlation between renunciation and letting go of hindrances

00:16:43 Contemplating the law of karma during difficult periods

00:19:38 Skillful means for brightening an anxious or upset mind

00:23:52 Concept and relationship to shared group karma

00:28:43 Dealing with the general trajectory of a degenerating world

00:35:45 Daily devotional acts and determinations

00:40:40 Invocations of deities and devas in practice

00:48:55 Planning for rebirth and suitable environments

01:01:00 Personal experiences and the reality of subtle realms

Ajahn Achalo's Biography:

Ajahn Achalo was born in Brisbane Australia in 1972. He developed a keen interest in meditation at the age of twenty and a year later left for Thailand to study Buddhism more intently.  After a two year period practising in various centres and monasteries, in 1996 Ajahn Achalo ordained as a Theravada Bhikkhu under Ajahn Liem at Wat Nong Pah Pong, the monastery founded by venerable Ajahn Chah. Although most of his training has taken place in Thailand, Ajahn Achalo has also lived in several international Forest Monasteries in the Ajahn Chah lineage.  During his years of training, he has received personal guidance from many remarkable teachers, among them, Ajahn Sumedho, Ajahn Pasanno, Ajahn Jayasaro and Ajahn Kalyano. For most of his Bhikkhu life, he has considered Tan Ajahn Anan, abbot of Wat Marp Jan, to be his principal mentor. In addition, he has found the Dalai Lama's instructions and example to be of tremendous value. Ajahn Achalo is the founder and abbot of Anandagiri Forest Monastery in Pechabun, Thialand. Much of his time - several thousand hours - has been spent meditating at Bodhgaya (where the Buddha was Enlightened).

Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events!

- Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:30 pm PT, YouTube then Zoom)

- Saturday Morning Meditation, Teaching, & Coffee Social (9:30 - 11 am PT, Online & In-Person)

- Sunday Evening “Mission Majjhima!” Sutta Teaching & Discussion (5:00 - 6 pm PT, Online)

See https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/ or visit https://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!

In this session, Ayya Niyyānika explores how we can discover true inner security and cultivate a 'smiling heart' of endless kindness, even when navigating an overwhelming and messy world. Grounding in the Maṅgala Sutta, they challenge us to move beyond the illusion of perfectly guaranteed external 'safe spaces' and instead build brave communities where we can hold our vulnerabilities, challenges, and identities with wisdom and curiosity.

Ayya Niyyanika's Biography:

Ayya Niyyānika grew up on Whidbey Island, Washington, and worked as an ontology consultant in Minnesota before entering monastic life. They began their formal training in 2014 at Dhammadharini Monastery in California, where they received full bhikkhunī higher ordination on December 3, 2017. After subsequent training at Aloka Vihara Forest Monastery and a period of independent travel through Asia and the West, they co-founded Passaddhi Vihara (www.passaddhivihara.org) in Olympia, Washington, in May 2024 alongside Ayyā Suvijjānā. Ayya Niyyānika focuses their practice on embodiment and open kindness, integrating early Buddhist teachings and monastic discipline into modern, lived experience.

Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events!

- Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:30 pm PT, YouTube then Zoom)

- Saturday Morning Meditation, Teaching, & Coffee Social (9:30 - 11 am PT, Online & In-Person)

- Sunday Evening “Mission Majjhima!” Sutta Teaching & Discussion (5:00 - 6 pm PT, Online)

See https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/ or visit https://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!

In this session, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho speak with Terry Real, therapist, author, and creator of Relational Life Therapy (RLT) (https://terryreal.com/).

00:00:00 Introduction

00:02:49 Coming out of the closet as a long-term meditator

00:04:46 Three parts of the brain and the psyche in RLT

00:05:42 Explaining the survival instincts of fight, flight, and fawn

00:06:22 Defining the "wounded child" and the nature of trauma

00:07:18 The role and function of the "adaptive child"

00:08:40 How trauma triggers reactivity in current relationships

00:11:41 The neurobiology of getting flooded and going offline

00:12:48 Introducing the concept of "relational mindfulness"

00:14:15 Moving from the reactive mind to the responsive mind

00:16:43 The importance of performing trauma work with partners

00:19:02 How the Buddhist Eightfold Path relates to reactivity

00:19:26 Integrating spiritual friendship with the need for seclusion

00:19:40 The framework and the "Ten Commandments of Timeouts"

00:20:25 Skillful distance and the dance of intimacy

00:21:20 Establishing healthy self-esteem and God-given worth

00:22:50 Balancing abandonment wounds versus intrusion wounds

00:25:31 Correcting the epistemological mistake of individualism

00:26:49 Waking up to ecological wisdom and relationality

00:30:01 A Zen story about treating others while "saving the world"

00:32:02 Releasing conceit and the movement from me to we

00:34:28 Common pairings of wounded and adaptive children

00:35:13 The five losing strategies of the adaptive child

00:36:59 Examples of how adaptive strategies reinforce each other

00:38:04 A story of recovery and relational heroism regarding lying

00:41:36 Understanding accountability and the "second consciousness"

00:43:53 Distinguishing between blame, victimhood, and responsibility

00:45:46 The risks of "parental determinism" and cutting off parents

00:46:50 Carl Jung and the necessity of a religious outlook

00:47:54 Spirituality as a cure for the disease of addiction

00:50:05 Einstein's question on whether the universe is friendly

00:52:24 Healing through relaxing into something bigger than oneself

00:54:37 A conversation with Jack Kornfeld on spiritual teaching

00:55:47 Final reflections on basic trust and nature looking back

Terry Real's Biography:

Terry Real is a family therapist, author, and teacher particularly known for his work on male psychology and relationships. His work has been featured in numerous academic articles as well as in The New York Times and Psychology Today; And he has appeared in conversation with Oprah, Esther Perel, Gabor Mate, and with our friend Rick Hanson, to name a few. Terry is the founder of The Relational Life Institute, and the author of "I Don't Want To Talk About It" on the topic of male depression, "How Can I Get Through To You?" on the role of patriarchy in relationships, "The New Rules of Marriage," and most recently, "Us: Getting Past You & Me and Building a More Loving Relationship".

Ten Commandments of Timeouts:

1. Use as a Circuit Breaker

2. Take Your Time-Out from the "I"

3. Take Distance Responsibly

4. Use Short Abbreviations

5. Don’t Let Yourself Be Stopped

6. Use Check-Ins at Prescribed Intervals

7. Remember Your Goal

8. Return in Good Faith

9. Observe a 24-Hour Moratorium

10. Know When to Get Help

Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events!

- Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:30 pm PT, YouTube then Zoom)

- Saturday Morning Meditation, Teaching, & Coffee Social (9:30 - 11 am PT, Online & In-Person)

- Sunday Evening “Mission Majjhima!” Sutta Teaching & Discussion (5:00 - 6 pm PT, Online)

See https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/ or visit https://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!

In this session, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho interview Ajahn Sukhito, Israeli-born abbot of Poo Jom Gom Forest Monastery in Ubon, Thailand and (https://ketkamala.org/).

00:00:00 Welcome and Introduction of Tan Ajahn Sukito

00:00:26 Biography: Early Life and Journey to Buddhism

00:01:04 Service at Wat Phu Chong Gom and the Gamala Foundation

00:01:38 Personal Connection and Reflections on Practice

00:02:27 Ajahn Sukito’s Experience in Northern India

00:04:21 Favorite Suttas and Precious Teachings

00:07:07 The Five Faculties as a Framework for Life

00:09:32 A Holistic Approach to the Dhamma

00:11:46 The Five Dimensions: Relationship, Action, and Supervision

00:16:37 The Five Dimensions: Inner Life and Continuous Learning

00:18:59 Tracing the Development of Faith (Saddha)

00:21:53 Meeting the Dhamma: A Powerful Shift in Perspective

00:27:56 The Faculty of Energy (Viriya) and the Path to Thailand

00:32:51 Discovering the Thai Forest Tradition and Its Teachers

00:35:51 Stepping into the Role of Abbot at Wat Phu Chong Gom

00:40:46 Managing a Forest Monastery for Holistic Practice

00:44:40 The Importance of Community in the Ajahn Chah Lineage

00:47:07 Balancing Aesthetic Seriousness with Lightness

00:48:49 Physical Work and Simplicity as Spiritual Practice

00:52:49 Cultivating Noble Friendship on the Path

00:55:19 The Faculty of Wisdom (Panna) and Education

00:59:48 The Vision of the Kate Gamala Foundation

01:03:40 Applying Dhamma to Global Challenges and Education

01:06:48 Guiding Hearts Through World Upheaval and Conflict

01:13:47 Closing Words and Gratitude

Ajahn Sukhito's Biography:

Ajahn Sukhito - born in Israel in 1970 - is a Theravāda Buddhist monk in the Thai Forest Tradition of Ajahn Chah. In his early twenties, he traveled to the East, where he first encountered Buddhism in Northern India - an experience that profoundly shaped his life. He went on to study and practice within several Buddhist traditions before ordaining as a monk in the Ajahn Chah lineage. For over 30 years, Ajahn Sukhito has lived and practiced as a monk primarily in Thailand. For approximately 14 years, he has served as abbot of Poo Jom Gom (วัดป่าภูจ้อมก้อม) Forest Monastery in Northeast Thailand. In recent years, he has also spent extended periods in Israel at the invitation of his students, supporting the development of the local community of practitioners in the Ajahn Chah tradition. Also in recent years, Ajahn Sukhito has taken on the role (along with Ajahn Jayasaro and Ajahn Dton) of "Spiritual Advisor" to the Ket Kamalā Foundation มูลนิธิเกตุกมลา (https://ketkamala.org/), which provides Holistic Buddhist Education in the form of weekend camps at various monasteries and with a vision is to establish a Holistic Buddhist Bilingual School in Ubon Province.

Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events!

- Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:30 pm PT, YouTube then Zoom)

- Saturday Morning Meditation, Teaching, & Coffee Social (9:30 - 11 am PT, Online & In-Person)

- Sunday Evening “Mission Majjhima!” Sutta Teaching & Discussion (5:00 - 6 pm PT, Online)

See https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/ or visit https://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!

In this session, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho interview Loch Kelly - meditation teacher, author, and founder of the Effortless Mindfulness Institute (https://lochkelly.org/).

00:00:00 Introduction to Loch Kelly

00:02:14 Introduction to Effortless Mindfulness for Theravāda Listeners

00:12:14 Mapping Effortless Mindfulness to Samādhi and the Unborn

00:14:12 Resonance of Loch's Teachings with the Theravāda Tradition

00:19:40 Defining "Glimpses" and "Local Awareness"

00:27:35 Experiencing a Glimpse: What is the Nature of this Awareness?

00:29:03 Understanding the Capabilities of Local Awareness

00:30:08 Loch’s Personal Experience and the "Clear Light" of Rigpa

00:32:00 Determining the Relationship Between Awareness and the Deathless

00:39:06 Navigating the Conflict Between Dualistic and Non-Dualistic Teachings

00:45:52 Demonstrating a Second Skillful Glimpse

00:50:08 Distinguishing Types of Awareness: Attention vs. Mindful Awareness

00:53:11 Shifting the Location of Identity and the Mindful Witness

00:56:58 Identifying the Detours: Spiritual Bypassing, Psychological Overpassing, Cognitive Underpassing

01:02:40 Guiding the Seven Steps: Unhook, Drop, Open, See, Include, Know and Let Be

01:04:41 Implementing Effortless Mindfulness for Different Personalities

01:11:53 Paradoxes in Buddhism: Mundane vs. Super-Mundane Right View

01:15:12 Applying Mindfulness Tools to Deep Suffering and Trauma

01:25:19 Helping Students "Unstuck" from the Mindful Witness Position

01:28:30 Integrating Flow Consciousness into Everyday Life

01:32:11 Risks and Ethics of Sharing Direct Pointing Instructions

Loch Kelly's Biography:

Loch Kelly is a meditation teacher, psychotherapist, and is the founder of the non-profit Effortless Mindfulness Institute. A graduate of Columbia University and Union Theological, he has, since the late 1970s, studied in multiple lineages of Buddhism: with such Theravāda elders as Professor Lily de Silva and Godwin Samararatne; with the Tibetan masters Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche, Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, Mingyur Rinpoche, Tsoknyi Rinpoche, and Anam Thubten among other greats; and with modern teachers such as Adyashanti, Tara Brach, and Shinzen Young. Loch synthesizes ancient nondual wisdom, neuroscience, and contemporary psychology–especially Internal Family Systems–into a unique experiential teaching style focused on "small glimpses" many times. Loch is recognized for his collaborative research with neuroscientists at Yale and NYU, and is the author of "Shift Into Freedom: The Science and Practice of Open-Hearted Awareness" and "The Way of Effortless Mindfulness."

Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events!

- Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:30 pm PT, YouTube then Zoom)

- Saturday Morning Meditation, Teaching, & Coffee Social (9:30 - 11 am PT, Online & In-Person)

- Sunday Evening “Mission Majjhima!” Sutta Teaching & Discussion (5:00 - 6 pm PT, Online)

See https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/ or visit https://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!

In this talk, Ajahn Nisabho recounts the Buddha's life and Enlightenment, emphasing both his relatability as a historical figure who lived 2500 years ago, and the transcendent aspect which we can contact today. By more deeply understanding his humanity, we understand that we too have the potential to Awaken as he did.

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Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events!

- Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:30 pm PT, YouTube then Zoom)

- Saturday Morning Meditation, Teaching, & Coffee Social (9:30 - 11 am PT, Online & In-Person)

- Sunday Evening “Mission Majjhima!” Sutta Teaching & Discussion (5:00 - 6 pm PT, Online)

See https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/ or visit https://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!

Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events!

- Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:30 pm PT, YouTube then Zoom)

- Saturday Morning Meditation, Teaching, & Coffee Social (9:30 - 11 am PT, Online & In-Person)

- Sunday Evening “Mission Majjhima!” Sutta Teaching & Discussion (5:00 - 6 pm PT, Online)

See https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/ or visit https://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!

In this session, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho interview Ajahn Brahmali, elder monk at Bodhinyana Monastery, advisor to the Buddhist Society of Western Australia (https://bswa.org/), and frequent contributor to and translator at SuttaCentral.net.

Biography of Ajahn Brahmali:

Ajahn Brahmali was born in Norway in 1964. He first became interested in Buddhism and meditation in his early 20s after a visit to Japan. Having completed degrees in engineering and finance, he began his monastic training in England at Amaravati and Chithurst Buddhist Monasteries. After hearing teachings from Ajahn Brahm, he decided to travel to Australia to train at Bodhinyana Monastery. Ajahn Brahmali has lived at Bodhinyana Monastery since 1994, and was ordained as a Bhikkhu, with Ajahn Brahm as his preceptor, in 1996. Ajahn Brahmali’s knowledge of the Pali language and of the Suttas is excellent. A regular contributor to discourse.suttacentral, he has also published two essays on Dependent Origination, a book called “The Authenticity of the Early Buddhist Texts” with Bhante Sujato, and has translated the entire Buddhist Monastic Code.

Ajahn Brahmali Previous CMM Interview on Early Buddhist Texts: https://youtu.be/FznHXTboSJs?si=44Mc8X9sSSZGRysh

Nine Principles of Translation

from: https://discourse.suttacentral.net/t/principles-of-translation/19485

1. Translating (nearly) everything

2. Translating transparently and meaningfully

3. Principle of the least meaning

4. (Partially) transforming the oral nature of the text into literary form

5. Using simple language and vocabulary

6. Avoiding Buddhist hybrid English

7. Using American spelling and vocabulary

8. Sometimes using multiple renderings for each Pali term or expression

9. Principle of [[lectio difficilior potior

The link to the 7:00-7:45 pm Zoom session following the livestream may be found on the event listing at https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/events/wednesday/.

Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events!

- Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:45 pm PT, YouTube then Zoom)

- Saturday Morning Meditation, Teaching, & Coffee Social (9:30 - 11 am PT, Online & In-Person)

- Sunday Evening “Mission Majjhima!” Sutta Teaching & Discussion (5:00 - 6 pm PT, Online)

See https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/ or visit https://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!

In this session, Randima Fernando, co-founder of Center for Humane Technology (https://www.humanetech.com/) joins Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho for a conversation.

Randima's Biography:

Randima has presented on the intersection of technology, mindfulness, and social impact to the world’s leading technology companies, NGOs, and government agencies. He is a Co-Founder and former Executive Director of Center for Humane Technology, which has helped over 100 million people globally understand the harms of extractive technology through the documentary film The Social Dilemma, the podcast Your Undivided Attention, and many other initiatives. Randima started his career at NVIDIA, where he led many award-winning projects and authored three #1-ranked books on 3D graphics over seven years. Additionally, he was a founding Board Member of the NVIDIA Foundation. Randima then served for seven years as founding Executive Director at Mindful Schools, a nonprofit that has taught mindfulness to millions of kids and over 70,000 educators worldwide. He is also a former board member of Spirit Rock Meditation Center.

The link to the 7:00-7:45 pm Zoom session following the livestream may be found on the event listing at https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/events/wednesday/.

Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events!

- Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:45 pm PT, YouTube then Zoom)

- Saturday Morning Meditation, Teaching, & Coffee Social (9:30 - 11 am PT, Online & In-Person)

- Sunday Evening “Mission Majjhima!” Sutta Teaching & Discussion (5:00 - 6 pm PT, Online)

See https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/ or visit https://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!

https://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery

https://youtu.be/ElxEuHRiolI

https://www.friendsofclearmountain.org/land/

In this talk, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho speak about the long-term vision for Clear Mountain, as well as the timeline and immediate steps towards its realization. Addressing frequently asked questions and comments from the audience, the session describes the process for creating a refuge of Dhamma in the Northwest on the newly acquired land.

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Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events!

- Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:30 pm PT, YouTube then Zoom)

- Saturday Morning Meditation, Teaching, & Coffee Social (9:30 - 11 am PT, Online & In-Person)

- Sunday Evening “Mission Majjhima!” Sutta Teaching & Discussion (5:00 - 6 pm PT, Online)

See https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/ or visit https://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!

In this session, Ajahn Kovilo speaks about Nibbidā - disenchantment, disillusionment, and enoughness as one practices the path at getting better at pleasure, happiness, and peace.

Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events!

- Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:30 pm PT, YouTube then Zoom)

- Saturday Morning Meditation, Teaching, & Coffee Social (9:30 - 11 am PT, Online & In-Person)

- Sunday Evening “Mission Majjhima!” Sutta Teaching & Discussion (5:00 - 6 pm PT, Online)

See https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/ or visit https://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!

In this interview, we speak with Luang Por Khemadhammo OBE (https://foresthermitage.org.uk/), abbot of The Forest Hermitage & founder of the Angulimala Buddhist Prison Chaplaincy program.

00:00:00 — Introduction

00:01:45 — Key moments of faith leading to monasticism

00:06:45 — Transferable skills between acting and meditation

00:11:18 — Personal perspectives on the "Dharma of Shakespeare"

00:11:44 — Specific gems of wisdom found in Shakespeare's works

00:12:16 — Experiencing the qualities of genius and love in Ajahn Chah

00:17:48 — Specific anecdotes or stories from time with Ajahn Chah

00:23:44 — The genesis and nature of the Angulimala prison project

00:30:57 — Inspiration for dedicating decades to prison work

00:35:00 — Transmuting rage and anger in incarcerated individuals

00:37:31 — Most relevant Buddhist teachings for inmates

00:38:50 — Practical means and methods of the prison program

00:42:04 — Relating to and appreciating diverse Buddhist schools

00:49:33 — Stories of personal transformation among inmates

00:52:17 — Handling worldly accolades and honors as a monk

00:55:06 — The quintessential ingredient for staying in robes

00:58:29 — Evolving perspectives on monks using modern media

01:01:15 — Advice for interacting with those "down and out" or unseen

As you can see, the conversation was wide-ranging touching on many fascinating aspects of Luang Por Khemadhammo's unique life as a Shakespearean actor turned Buddhist monk. Such topics include meditation lessons from the theatre, the initial meeting and life with Luang Por Chah, the beginnings of the Western Sangha in England, the birth of the Angulimala Buddhist Prison Chaplaincy program, insights from teaching prisoners, and perspectives gained from 55 years in robes. For more information about Luang Por, visit: https://foresthermitage.org.uk/

Luang Por Khemadhammo's Bio:

Luang Por Khemadhammo (Chao Khun Bhavanaviteht) OBE was born in England in 1944. After training and practising as a professional actor and working at the Royal National Theatre with Laurence Olivier, in 1971 he travelled to Thailand via the Buddhist holy places in India. In December 1971 in Bangkok he became a novice and about a month later moved to Ubon to stay at Wat Nong Pah Pong with Ajahn Chah with whom he received bhikkhu ordination. In 2003, he was appointed an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for services to prisoners and for his creation of the Angulimala Buddhist Prison Chaplaincy (https://angulimala.org.uk/) program. The following year at His Majesty the King of Thailand’s birthday in December he was made a Chao Khun with the title, Phra Chao Khun Bhavanaviteht. He is the founder and abbot of The Forest Hermitage and one of the most senior Western Disciples of Luang Por Chah.

Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events!

- Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:30 pm PT, YouTube then Zoom)

- Saturday Morning Meditation, Teaching, & Coffee Social (9:30 - 11 am PT, Online & In-Person)

- Sunday Evening “Mission Majjhima!” Sutta Teaching & Discussion (5:00 - 6 pm PT, Online)

See https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/ or visit https://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!

In this dual talk describing their recent three-month Winter Retreat, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho speak about key tools, take-aways, and the particular dukkha and sukha, of sitting in quiet for 90 days… with 9 hours a day of sitting meditation on Zoom.

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Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events!

- Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:30 pm PT, YouTube then Zoom)

- Saturday Morning Meditation, Teaching, & Coffee Social (9:30 - 11 am PT, Online & In-Person)

- Sunday Evening “Mission Majjhima!” Sutta Teaching & Discussion (5:00 - 6 pm PT, Online)

See https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/ or visit https://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!

In this session, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho interview Indo-Tibetan Buddhist scholar Dr. Jay Garfield (https://jaygarfield.org/).

00:00:00 – Introduction

00:00:25 – Biography of Professor Jay Garfield

00:01:48 – Prof. Garfield's Start Studying Buddhist Philosophy

00:06:14 – The Origin of the "Third World Expectation" Requirement

00:08:34 – Why Study at the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies?

00:09:15 – Shared Experiences at Hampshire College

00:10:18 – Defining Indo-Tibetan Buddhism

00:12:13 – Comparing Theravada and Indo-Tibetan Traditions

00:17:17 – Explaining the Three Turnings of the Wheel of Dharma

00:26:24 – Authenticity and the Definition of "Word of the Buddha" (Buddhavacana)

00:33:44 – The Story of the Academic Exchange Program

00:36:48 – Distinguishing the Three Vehicles (Yānas)

00:39:50 – Common Misunderstandings of Tantra

00:40:38 – Overview of the Four Major Schools of Tibetan Buddhism

00:45:35 – The Role of Ethics (Sīla) in Buddhist Study

00:50:06 – The Guru: Fourth Jewel of Tibetan Buddhism

00:51:17 – Exploring Dzogchen and "Pointing Out" Instructions

00:59:18 – Which Languages Would You Prioritize Learning?

01:00:06 – Top Book Recommendations for Beginners

01:00:31 – Which Western Philosopher Should a Buddhist Read?

01:00:47 – Whose Mind Would You Like to Experience?

01:01:13 – Which Realm of Being Would You Inhabit?

01:01:45 – Have You Ever Considered Ordination?

Dr. Garfield's Biography:

Jay L. Garfield is Professor of Philosophy Emeritus at Smith College, visiting professor of Buddhist philosophy at Harvard Divinity School, Professor of Philosophy at Melbourne University, and adjunct professor of philosophy at the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies. His work has focused on Buddhist philosophy, metaphysics, philosophy of mind, ethics, and cross-cultural work, addressing topics in cognitive science, modern Indian philosophy, epistemology, and Indo-Tibetan Madhyamaka and Yogācāra Buddhism in particular. He is the author or editor of over 30 books including "Losing Ourselves: Learning to Live without a Self," "Buddhist Ethics: A Philosophical Exploration," "Engaging Buddhism: Why Does Buddhism Matter to Philosophy?," and "How to Lose Yourself: An Ancient Guide to Letting Go" in addition to nearly 200 articles, chapters, and reviews. He is also the Professor of the Great Courses Series on "The Meaning of Life."

The link to the 7:00-7:45 pm Zoom session following the livestream may be found on the event listing at https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/events/wednesday/.

Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events!

- Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:45 pm PT, YouTube then Zoom)

- Saturday Morning Meditation, Teaching, & Coffee Social (9:30 - 11 am PT, Online & In-Person)

- Sunday Evening “Mission Majjhima!” Sutta Teaching & Discussion (5:00 - 6 pm PT, Online)

See https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/ or visit https://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!

In this talk, Ajahn Nisabho speaks about how we can create true spiritual community, referencing the the six principles of harmony taught by the Buddha in the Kosambiya Sutta (MN 48 - https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/MN/MN48.html). Understanding kalyāṇa-mittatā, or spiritual friendship, as relationship predicated on mutual support of shared spiritual values rather than resonance of personality, we can cultivate a truly inclusive and safe refuge for all.

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Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events!

- Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:30 pm PT, YouTube then Zoom)

- Saturday Morning Meditation, Teaching, & Coffee Social (9:30 - 11 am PT, Online & In-Person)

- Sunday Evening “Mission Majjhima!” Sutta Teaching & Discussion (5:00 - 6 pm PT, Online)

See https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/ or visit https://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!

In this interview, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho speak with Ajahn Mahā Dam (https://www.facebook.com/buddhakhanti/), who was handicapped during the Walk For Peace.

00:00:00 – Introduction

00:01:27 – Early Faith and Becoming a Novice

00:03:24 – Moving to Thailand at Age 14

00:04:03 – Ajahn's "Second Birth" as a Buddhist

00:05:41 – Challenges of Language and Adaptation

00:07:07 – Sustaining Monastic Life as a Youth

00:09:34 – Transitioning to Pāli Studies in Bangkok

00:11:38 – The Technique of Pain Meditation

00:14:03 – Recollections of the Accident

00:17:00 – Duration of the Peace Walk

00:21:27 – Breath Meditation vs. Mantras

00:22:25 – The Importance of Mindfulness at Death

00:25:11 – Advice on Loss and Mindfulness Without the Breath

00:26:38 – Sensations Immediately After Impact

00:30:17 – Processing the News of Amputation

00:33:08 – Offering the Leg as Buddha Pūja

00:37:31 – Hopes for Future Service to the Dhamma

00:39:36 – Experiences with Racism and Being a Stranger

00:41:10 – Favorite Teachers of the Thai Forest Tradition

00:42:38 – Listening to Ajahn Chah in Isaan/Lao Language

00:44:01 – Hopes for Pilgrimage in India and Nepal

00:44:36 – The Core Purpose of the Walk for Peace

00:48:07 – Practicing with Loss and Avoiding Resentment

00:50:55 – Forgiveness and the "Second Arrow" of Anger

00:54:13 – Reflections on the Community’s Support

00:56:37 – Current Recovery and Future Hopes

00:58:54 – A New Companion: The Peace Dog

Ajahn Mahā Dam's Biography:

Ajahn Mahā Dam Prommasan (พระอาจารย์มหาดำ พรหมสาร) was born in Savannakhet, Laos and ordained as a novice monk at age nine. At age fourteen, he traveled to Ubon, Thailand to further his studies at Wat Phitsopārām (วัดพิชโสภาราม), later continuing his studies in Bangkok where he would complete the eighth of nine levels of Pāli Proficiency. In 2016, he moved to Wat Lao Buddha Khanti in Snellville, Georgia, where he now serves as head monk. At the end of last year, Ajahn Maha Dam joined Bhante Paññākāra's Walk for Peace tudong. While on this walking pilgrimage near Houston, Texas, he was struck by a vehicle, resulting in injuries so severe that his leg had to be amputated. Despite the profound physical trauma and the loss of his limb, he continues his life as a monk with a heart free of grievance, embodying the very peace he set out to share with the world.

To learn more about Ajahn Mahā Dam, visit: https://www.watlaobuddhakhanti.org/ OR https://www.facebook.com/buddhakhanti/

- Interview with the Walk for Peace leader, Bhante Paññākāra here: https://youtu.be/vgo0mhBAotM

- And Part Two of that interview here: https://youtu.be/r_AhRfLJJNw

#walkforpeace #alokathepeacedog #buddhistmonks

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Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events!

- Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 - 7:45 pm PT, YouTube then Zoom)

- Saturday Morning Meditation, Teaching, & Coffee Social (9:30 - 11:00 am PT, Online & In-Person)

- Sunday Evening “Mission Majjhima!” Sutta Teaching & Discussion (5:00 - 6:00 pm PT, Online)

See https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/ or visit https://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!

In this session, Ajahn Kovilo takes a cue from the Christian Calendar, speaking to the symbolism of Holy/Glorious/Low Saturday–the day after Christ's Crucifixion and before his Resurrection–as a metaphor for being with and understanding dukkha, suffering.

Tune in with fellow practitioners for Clear Mountain’s weekly online and hybrid events!

- Wednesday Evening Teaching & Discussion (6:00 – 7:30 pm PT, YouTube then Zoom)

- Saturday Morning Meditation, Teaching, & Coffee Social (9:30 - 11 am PT, Online & In-Person)

- Sunday Evening “Mission Majjhima!” Sutta Teaching & Discussion (5:00 - 6 pm PT, Online)

See https://www.clearmountainmonastery.org/ or visit https://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monastery for details. Welcome!