Ringkasan dibuat dengan bantuan AI • Belum diverifikasi
Ceramah ini membahas tentang bagaimana menjadi lebih dekat dengan Buddha melalui ajaran-ajarannya, dengan fokus pada praktik cinta kasih (mettā) dan meditasi. Ajahn Jenti memulai dengan memperkenalkan tema dan mengajak pendengar untuk membaca sutta serta menemukan inspirasi dari ajaran tersebut. Ia kemudian menjelaskan struktur sutta dan membacakan dua sutta tentang manfaat mettā, menekankan pentingnya praktik ini untuk kedamaian dan kebahagiaan. Selama Rains Retreat, ia berbagi rutinitas monastik yang meliputi meditasi 6-8 jam, jalan meditasi, dan kontemplasi alam, serta pentingnya menemukan inspirasi dalam praktik. Meditasi terpandu membawa peserta membayangkan berada di alam yang indah bersama Buddha, dikelilingi cahaya kasih sayang, untuk merasakan penerimaan dan kedamaian. Dalam diskusi, seorang peserta berbagi pengalaman emosional, dan Ajahn Jenti menjelaskan bahwa itu adalah tanda positif untuk membuka hati dan melanjutkan praktik mettā. Ia juga menjawab pertanyaan tentang keraguan terhadap realitas Buddha, menekankan bahwa keyakinan tumbuh melalui praktik dan melihat perubahan positif dalam diri sendiri. Panduan praktik mettā diberikan langkah demi langkah, dimulai dari diri sendiri, kemudian orang yang dicintai, netral, dan sulit, dengan menekankan kesabaran dan konsistensi. Untuk umat awam, ia memberikan saran praktis seperti membuat tekad, memilih waktu yang tepat, dan memulai dengan 20 menit sehari. Ia juga membahas pentingnya menerima kasih dari orang lain dan bagaimana praktik kita dapat menginspirasi orang tua melalui teladan perubahan positif. Ceramah ditutup dengan berbagi jasa, mengingatkan tujuan akhir praktik untuk mengakhiri penderitaan, dan mengucapkan terima kasih kepada semua peserta. Pesan utama dari ceramah ini adalah bahwa dengan praktik mettā dan meditasi yang konsisten, kita dapat semakin dekat dengan Buddha dan mencapai kedamaian batin.
I thought I'd talk a little bit about the upcoming rains retreat for the monastics.
And the theme of my talk is becoming closer to the Buddha.
And I'll base my meditation session on that as well.
So the Buddha existed over 2,500 years ago.
And his teachings are still accessible to us today here in Perth, Australia and all around the world.
And more so, it's still relevant in this day and age.
And how?
How?
How do we go about bringing the Buddha closer to us?
And one of the ways is through his teachings.
And he taught for, I think, 40 years or so.
And his teachings are now available.
And I'll do a plug-in for Bhante Sujato.
So Sutta Central has some very easily readable books.
Translation, English translation.
That's available to all of us and it's free.
And so how is it that we make these teachings come alive?
And so there's actually the four main baskets of the teachings.
The most common one is the Majjhima, which is the middle-length discourses.
And then you get the Samutra Nikaya, which is, I guess, linked suttas.
And then you get the Anguttara Nikaya, which is the numbered discourses.
And the Diga Nikaya, which is the long discourses.
So it's good to see which ones.
And one of these major texts talks to you.
And during the Rains Retreat, I'm personally going to be looking at the start of the Anguttara Nikayas.
Why? Because it's actually short, succinct, and you can understand them quite easily.
And be inspired.
That is the most important thing.
To be inspired by these teachings.
It may be that you're into even shorter readings, like from the Dhammapada, the short sayings,
or the heartfelt teachings of the Buddha.
These are verses.
And I want to talk firstly about a little bit about the structure of a sutta.
And so normally the Buddha has an introductory,
passage, or a paragraph, which actually introduces the topic.
Followed by a list of things in relation to that topic.
And then he sums it up and emphasizes what point he's trying to bring across.
So when you're reading the suttas, this is what you can look for to actually maybe memorize.
So what is the key point?
What are some of the key points in the list?
And what is the main topic that the Buddha is trying to, or the message he's trying to get across?
Usually like a summary line.
For those who are not familiar with suttas, every sutta is structured in this.
And the Buddha also,
So instead of having a list, sometimes I have beautiful similes, which you can truly be inspired by.
And how I like to use the suttas is actually maybe just read a short passage, see what calls me, what is actually relatable to me.
And then what I'm planning to do with this range is try and think about it, to reflect on it, and see if I can actually bring it into my own practice.
The Buddha was a very practical person, and the teachings he gave is for us to remember,
and then to put into practice.
And then to use in our day-to-day life.
And I particularly like the suttas, and I think in previous talk I've mentioned I'm very much inspired by Maha Kasapa,
who was really into nature.
And there's some beautiful verses of that in the...
Theragatha, which is the verses of the month.
You can look that up if you're interested.
And so I would like to, if it's okay with you, there's some beautiful passages,
some suttas, short ones that I've found that I like to read to you,
which I truly find inspiring.
And this...
Listen to it and see whether you also, whether they might call you.
Of course, according to each of our personalities, different suttas, according to our character, calls us.
And we need to investigate for ourselves which of these teachings touches our heart.
So, the first one is from Anguttara 11.15.
And this is called the Benefits of Loving Kindness.
And it goes as such.
Mons, or nuns, or laymen, laywomen.
When the liberation of mind by loving kindness has been pursued, developed, and cultivated, made a vehicle and basis,
carried out, consolidated, and properly undertaken,
eleven benefits are to be expected.
What eleven?
One sleeps well.
That's one.
Two.
One awakens happily.
Three.
One does not have bad dreams.
Four.
One is pleasing to human beings.
Five.
One is pleasing to spirits.
Six.
Deities.
Or devas protect one.
Seven.
Fire, poison, and weapons do not injure one.
Eight.
One's mind quickly becomes still.
Nine.
One's facial complexion is serene.
Ten.
One dies unconfused.
And eleven.
If one does not penetrate further, one fades onto the prana world.
When monks, nuns, and laymen, and laywomen,
the liberation of the mind by loving kindness has been repeatedly pursued and developed and cultivated,
made a vehicle and basis, carried out, consolidated, and properly undertaken,
these eleven benefits are to be expected.
So this actually is a really beautiful summary of the benefits of loving kindness.
What actually, what really speaks to me here is that
one does not penetrate further.
unconfused right there's a few of us that are getting on edge and this is you know this is
something to keep in mind that actually practicing loving kindness meditation you can have a very
peaceful passing away this is this is the particular point that that calls to me
and this one is actually this is really beautiful this brings about brings in
some similes but before that the the this current sutta that i read you can see that the the
the topic is loving kindness then he lists 11 points which are the benefits and then he says
actually
you
that summarizes that by doing the loving kindness meditation you can actually
get to develop it even you know go to jhana stages right and that's what he means so that
the mind can be liberated by loving kindness okay and so i'll move on to the next sutta
it's it's called loving kindness
shines like the moon months whatever grounds there are for making merit productive of a future birth
these do not equal a 16th part of the liberation of mind by loving kindness the liberation of mind
by loving kindness surpasses them and shines forth bright and brilliant just as as the radiance of
all the stars does not equal the liberation of mind by loving kindness the liberation of mind by
loving kindness surpasses them and shines forth bright and confident and justice is both
equal as 16th part of the moon's radiance but the moon's radiance surpasses them and widen
and brilliant even so whatever grounds there are for making merit productive of a future birth
please note these do not equal a sixteenth part of the liberation of mind by loving kindness
the liberation of mind by loving kindness surpasses them and shines forth bright and brilliant as well
bright and brilliant. Just as in the last month of the rainy season, in the autumn, when the sky
is clear and free of clouds, the sun, on ascending, dispels the darkness of space and shines forth,
bright and brilliant, even so, whatever grants there are for making merit, productive of future
birth, these do not equal a sixteenth part of the liberation of mind by loving-kindness.
The liberation of mind by loving-kindness surpasses them and shines forth, bright and brilliant.
And just as in the night, at the moment of dawn, the morning star shines forth, bright and brilliant,
even so, whatever grants there are for making merit, productive of a future birth,
these do not equal a sixteenth part of the liberation of mind by loving-kindness.
The liberation of mind by loving-kindness surpasses them and shines forth, bright and brilliant.
And just as in the last month of the rainy season, in the autumn, when the sky is clear and free of clouds,
these do not equal a sixteenth part of the liberation of mind by loving-kindness.
And just as in the night, at the moment of dawn, the morning star shines forth, bright and brilliant,
even so, whatever grants there are for making merit, productive of future birth, these do not equal a sixteenth part of the liberation of mind by loving-kindness.
And just as in the last month of the rainy season, in the autumn, when the sky is clear and free of clouds,
And just as in the last month of the rainy season, in the autumn, when the sky is clear and free of clouds,
these do not equal a sixteenth part of the liberation of mind by loving-kindness.
And just as in the last month of the rainy season, in the autumn, when the sky is clear and free of clouds,
these do not equal a sixteenth part of the liberation of mind by loving-kindness.
And just as in the last month of the rainy season, in the autumn, when the sky is clear and free of clouds,
these do not equal a sixteenth part of the liberation of mind by loving-kindness.
And it goes as such.
Rather, when he plans, when he plans for his own welfare, the welfare of others, the welfare of both, and the welfare of the whole world, it is in this way that one is a wise person of great wisdom.
So this is something, this sutta, I really like.
It's short and it's succinct.
And here, the question being asked is how to develop.
And it is us cultivating the qualities that we intend that we don't harm ourselves, others, and we don't harm both of ourselves.
So this is something that we can actually look at throughout the day and see in terms of our interactions with people.
You know, Avi?
Are the things we're saying, the way we're communicating, is this actually hurting the person who's listening to this conversation?
And at the end of the day, when you walk away from it, you also realize that you've been unskillful, perhaps in your speech.
And it actually weighs down on your mind as well.
So it's actually, this is how it's harming yourself and the other person.
So this is a very practical thing that the Buddha says and touching one's speech.
And also bodily actions as well, because we can harm people through, you know, our body language even, right?
So, yeah, I really like that one too, because it talks about wisdom and wisdom is, of course, one of the greatest qualities that we have.
That the Buddha developed and used in his lifetime.
So here, I would really like you all to embark on a journey on investigating, studying, and making the suttas come alive for you.
And especially during a long retreat period.
And I'm sure, I know that Catherine has just completed a one-month retreat at Jhana Grove.
And she looked very happy when I saw her on a Wednesday night talk for Ajahn Brahm.
And so, what I've, I guess, as monastic,
and even as, you know, the people who are present, who may wish to do a one-month retreat or a longer retreat,
just a few pointers that I'd like to give to you all.
Three months is actually quite a long time.
And I just thought I'll just describe a little bit about the structure that we have at Dhammasara Monastery.
So this year, we'll be on duty.
We'll be on duty.
We'll be on duty for two weeks.
And during that time, we do just tasks such as cleaning toilets and mopping, meditation hall,
cleaning dining hall, setting up dining hall.
Mainly cleaning tasks, basically.
A little bit of administrative things as well.
Not too much there.
And sweeping.
And so, you may think, well, what do the monastics do?
Apart from, you know, this two-weeks duty period.
So, basically, the duty period, you come up for half a day.
If there's, some of the duties requires you to be there maybe until two o'clock or something,
because we have to wash tea towels.
But thereafter, the practice time is ours during those two weeks.
So, how do you spend, say, two, two and a half months?
How do we spend our time?
Well, it's recommended that during this rainy season period that we meditate for six to eight hours.
Six hours at least.
Right?
Those who are at a very good state of meditation practice, samadhi level, they can maybe do more.
But, generally speaking, what we do is, yes, we do those six or eight hours.
There's plenty of time in the day to fit that in.
But, in between that, we do walking meditation.
Few probably do some standing meditation.
Each of our huts has a long walking path.
And we can do that.
Walking meditation on that walking path.
And we also have, those of us who are living in the forest, we can sit on our walking path and look out and look at the forest and be with nature.
Right?
And so, you make a nice hot cup of tea.
You sit down and you sit there.
You do nothing.
And Jhana Grove.
Catherine will say it's a great place for doing that too because it's just so, so peaceful.
And there's many, many places you can sit and just do nothing.
As Ajahn Brahm says, you know, sit and just watch the trees grow.
Right?
And so, on top of that, because there's, you know, longer sitting periods,
we need to get some exercise.
And those...
Those who have been to Dhammasara know it's a very large property.
Nearly 600 acres.
So, we have creeks running through the property.
And four bridges, actually.
I love to sit on a bridge.
And that's my usually free time when I just want a break from meditation.
And this year I'm going to even try and sit on a...
Bridge and meditate.
So, there's...
I think two of the bridges, there's actually quite flowing water.
Whereas another one has got quite...
It's quite noisy.
There's a lot of water flowing through there.
So, it's...
So, even for you all to find...
And many times, I guess I've spoken about...
Finding somewhere in nature where you all have the opportunity to meditate as well.
Right?
It is just so conducive.
I also tend to...
Because I'm a very visual person.
And because I'm now quite getting quite old now,
it's a bit difficult for me to sit and meditate in nature.
But what I...
I have a pretty good memory.
And I...
Because I'm visual, I tend to just...
I can visualize in my room when I'm meditating,
the place that I've been to, which I find really inspiring.
So, I sit with that.
So, I'm very fortunate that I can just imagine myself.
I don't have to be physically sitting somewhere.
I can bring it into my heart.
So, if you're, you know, if you're unable to, you know, now,
you know, sit in the forest or in a park comfortably,
try that.
I find that especially something that I use in my meditation practice.
So, it's also good to do some chanting.
If you're...
Chanting is not everyone's thing.
So, you'll have to, you know, see.
But it's good to do even a little bit of chanting, you know,
if you've...
If you, you know, feel inspired because...
I like the Ittibiso Gatha,
Loving Kindness, the Dhammata Sutta.
These things are really peaceful.
And before your meditation sit,
it's nice to do a little bit of chanting
just to get started
and to bring up some joy in the practice.
So...
So, yeah, I'll sum it up by saying, you know,
see what works for you, right?
And especially if you haven't tried, you know,
reading some short verses to see whether they, you know,
bring up some brightness in your mind
and, you know, calls to you, right?
And it's a great way if something,
really, you know,
really resonates with you,
some words of the Buddha
to actually bring that into your mind
before you sit for your meditation,
just as you bring an image of some aspect of nature, right?
Similarly.
So, I'd like to end my talk here.
And I sincerely hope that in the next three months,
that you all also be able to intensify your practice
and be inspired by the teachings
and Ajahn Brahm's talks are freely available out there.
And, you know, listen to them
because, you know, all the monastics are offline during this time.
And also to know,
that he will be giving a Wednesday live stream talk.
And also Ajahn Brahmali will be doing Sutta classes
every Saturday evening.
So watch out for them.
And if you all have, you know, time for either one of them,
you can join in.
And that's online.
And yes, it'll be really lovely to,
you know, have you all joining us as well
to participate in this Rains Retreat.
Make it your Rains Retreat as well.
So I'll leave it there.
And if it's okay with you,
let's do half an hour of meditation.
Okay, so make yourselves comfortable.
Do some lights.
Stretching if you need to.
And remember that the successful meditation
is being, learning to relax your body, first of all.
And it's good to take a bit of time to do this
because it means that your meditation will be comfortable
and peaceful.
Take a few deep breaths if you need to
and roll your shoulders.
This is what I tend to do,
especially rolling the shoulders, actually,
helps me to relax and smile
because this is your time.
So we are letting go of the past
and we are letting go of the future.
Whatever busyness you've had during the day,
that's all finished.
We are just learning to be here,
learning to be present.
So today's theme is being inspired by the Buddha.
Bring to mind a place in nature
that you really love and resonates with you.
And you're sitting there comfortably
in the presence of the Buddha.
The sun is shining on the stream
that is flowing gently
and the water is shimmering by the sunlight.
And you can hear the bird song of little birds.
You are in the presence of the Buddha.
The Buddha is sitting in meditation
and this beautiful golden pink light
is emanating from the Buddha.
And this light touches you
and you are surrounded by this beautiful pink yellow light.
The Buddha is doing compassion and loving-kindness meditation
and you are in the presence of the Buddha.
And you are one of the recipients.
This beautiful light fills you from head to toe,
making you feel safe, protected, and secure.
The Buddha lets you know that you are totally okay the way you are.
You are fully accepted.
And he understands there are things about yourself
that you may not like.
But you are okay.
But you are aware of them
and you are working on them.
And that's good enough.
So the message he is giving you here
is that you are okay.
You are more than good enough.
So with this beautiful pink yellow light of compassion
and kindness of the Buddha,
we will sit for the next 20 minutes or so.
And I'll stay quiet.
We are nearing the end of the meditation.
But before you come out of the meditation,
ask yourself,
were you able to be with the Buddha
in the presence of the Buddha?
And if you choose to do this type of meditation in the future,
what I forgot to mention is that
if you lose that connection to the Buddha,
it's to re-visualize the place you are in
and also the Buddha sitting with you.
So that actually keeps that feeling going.
And how did you feel?
Did you feel safe and secure in the presence of the Buddha?
Knowing that you were surrounded by the light of kindness and compassion?
Did that work for you?
Again, depending on your personality,
this type of meditation may not be suitable for you.
But it's something to try.
So I hope that you got maybe a bit of joy out of this.
And perhaps even a little bit of peace
and acceptance of yourself.
Because we tend to be sometimes very harsh
in judging ourselves.
And so we'll end the meditation now.
And you're all free to come out of the meditation.
I'd like to invite you all for any comments or questions that you have.
And...
It's not...
It's like...
I don't know why,
but that meditation really...
I don't know how to say it,
but I've never...
I've never imagined like this before.
And when I was like...
When I was imagining the Buddha was sitting there.
And then he was like...
Had loving kindness and all this stuff.
And then I just felt like...
Crying.
And then I was like...
I felt really weak.
I felt like it...
It kind of like clashes...
I felt like it clashes with my internal...
I don't know if like it's like identity or stuff.
But it really, really kind of shaken me.
I don't know.
I'm still kind of being...
In the middle of like being shaken by this.
And then I felt like it's like...
Part of me is like...
It's like the feeling of like...
Open my heart to the kindness.
And it's like the feeling of like...
I feel like it's...
Like I'm not able to...
It's like...
It's the feeling of like...
The current me just cannot adore for it.
I kind of like can feel it to a certain extent.
But because when I feel it...
It also make me...
It also kind of like inside.
So...
I don't know if this is a question.
But like...
It's really weird for me.
But I feel like it's like...
Yeah.
It kind of like...
It's a weird experience for me.
I guess.
I've never felt like this.
Okay.
It's actually a good sign.
This is actually saying something to you, Gloria.
That...
You know, because I guess you mentioned in the past in terms of...
You know, I spoke about acceptance.
Right?
And being happy with who we are.
This is...
This is perhaps telling you that you need to open your heart more.
And it can be achieved through doing loving-kindness meditation.
And the Buddha...
No matter who the person was.
You know, the person who was...
You know...
Cleaning the feces on the street in India.
Right?
He spoke to the Brahmins.
You know, who were very well educated.
Right?
In their own teachings.
Every person.
Right?
And he never judged any of them.
He had nothing but love and compassion for the sick.
And...
The rich people.
The poor people.
The disabled people.
Right?
And he understood that...
About the human condition.
And the potential that each one of us has.
Right?
To...
To learn to be happy.
And to end our suffering.
Right?
So...
Actually, I'm...
I'm happy with the result of...
With what you've described, Gloria.
Because this is actually telling you something.
That you need to continue your loving-kindness meditation.
Right?
And the fact that you were in tears...
It means that it did touch you in some way.
Right?
The Buddha's compassion and...
Loving-kindness.
And that you...
You know, deserve to be happy.
You deserve peace.
Right?
And that you're a good person.
So I just...
You know...
I encourage you to continue with the metta practice.
Do the metta chant as well.
Make it real for you.
And...
Just for everyone, the metta...
Metta sutta...
Metta chanting...
Loving-kindness.
It's one...
I think we should all do daily.
Because...
I guess sometimes we are pretty hard on ourselves.
And it's a good one to...
To read the words of what the Buddha described in terms of the practice.
Which can take you very far.
Yeah.
To the jhana states.
Even at the end.
But...
Most importantly...
To bring peace.
To bring...
Bring up that...
That spark of loving-kindness in our own hearts.
And we need to...
The final thing I'd like to say is that we need to accept that.
And I just use the example...
This imaginary example of the Buddha.
You know...
Receiving love from the Buddha.
But...
We need to be able to receive love from everybody.
And as Ajahn Brahm says...
You know...
Opening the door of our hearts.
Right?
We are...
We are all working...
You know...
To free ourselves.
And...
Most of us know where our weaknesses are.
And...
We need to be happy with that.
And to know that we are working with them.
And we are just continuing on this path.
Right?
And...
Fully love and accept ourselves for who we are.
Yeah.
Thank you very much.
That's alright.
Just for...
That's okay.
Just...
Just to...
Finish off with that last comment, Gloria.
The Buddha is real.
He has left a vast amount of teaching for us.
Very practical teaching.
And it's up to each of us to bring it alive for us.
And that goes to my talk in terms of reading the suttas.
And seeing what's applicable to us at this point in time.
Because he is speaking to us when he laid down the teaching.
It was for future generations.
For all of us.
To put into practice.
To make it come alive.
And to liberate ourselves.
You're welcome.
Okay.
Someone say that...
She also feel...
Uncertain about receiving help and kindness.
Not because...
Because of other people have been untrustworthy in the past.
Mm-hmm.
So...
Here's...
Actually, I've seen just a comment come up.
And...
It's actually a very good point.
The Buddha seems to be...
You know, he existed over 2,500 years ago.
And you think...
And he existed in a culture which is very...
Very different to, you know, what we're living in now.
But...
So, if you...
I mean, sometime later on...
When your practice is developed, especially your meditation practice...
You will be able to relate to the Buddha.
And know that it's actually his...
His teachings, what he gave us.
The meditation, you know, when you're progressing...
You will know that...
When you experience these states of stillness...
That you have followed what he taught.
And...
It is real.
Right?
It is...
Your...
When you get to those steps...
You know that you're following the footsteps of the Buddha.
So...
That confidence is gained over time.
And that confidence is gained...
As you see the changes in yourself.
You see that you're a better person.
You're more patient.
You're more kinder.
Right?
You have more compassion towards yourself and others.
Right?
You're developing your qualities.
And alongside all those qualities...
You're also developing your meditation practice.
This is when you begin to understand...
The Buddha was real.
He was a human being.
Just like you and me.
And...
Just as he had...
Taught himself...
How to end all suffering...
We too can learn to do that.
With what he left behind for us.
Which is the teachings.
So that faith and confidence is developed over time.
Just...
Keep on going.
Just keep on going with the practice.
That's all you need to do.
Some days...
They'll...
You know...
They'll not be that great.
Your meditation may not that be great.
Some days...
You've felt like you've said a harsh word to someone.
Or that you're short tempered.
You know...
That's just the...
The nature of being a human being.
But we just keep on going.
That's all it is.
Never...
Never...
Never stop.
And...
Gloria...
And the other person who asked the question...
Yes...
If the Buddha...
If you...
If you are not able to relate to the Buddha at the moment...
Someone suggested someone like...
Say Ajahn Brahm...
Even the Dalai Lama.
Right?
Very inspiring.
You know...
He's...
He...
He resonates loving kindness in a big way.
Right?
And...
He's loved...
Throughout the world.
So find out...
I mean...
In the interim...
Until the...
You know...
Buddha...
Comes alive for you.
Find someone else.
It could be Ajahn Brahm.
It could be the Dalai Lama.
It could be Mother Teresa.
Someone.
Right?
See who that is.
Investigate.
It could be any one of your teachers.
And some people say it's Goenka Ji.
It could be...
So whoever it is.
Venerable.
So just...
Just to give a...
Short...
Summary of loving kindness meditation for those who haven't done it before.
It's recommended that you start with loving kindness for yourself.
To develop that for yourself.
And you could do that for a whole year.
Because some of us find it hard to do that.
And...
Until you have that feeling of love in your heart, you just keep on doing it.
And it's by saying those phrases.
May I be happy.
Things like...
May I be safe.
May I be...
May I be at peace.
Right?
Something like that.
Whatever words resonate for you.
So...
Keep doing that.
Keep...
Keep doing that.
And make it a daily practice.
Right?
Even if it's ten minutes a day.
Right?
Build it up.
And...
Those of you who are here who have problems sleeping.
It's a great one to do as well.
Before...
I tend to do meditation for a short while in the morning.
Before I wake up.
And also before I go to bed.
Okay.
So...
So develop loving kindness for yourself.
When that is strong.
When you can feel that...
Feeling of love in your heart.
And you can spread it throughout your whole body.
You are ready to move on to the next person.
Which is the loved person.
Right?
The loved person can be...
You know...
A friend who you are very close to.
Right?
That you have an uncomplicated friendship with.
Right?
Usually...
Good...
Not to make this person someone who you may have romantic feelings with.
For...
Someone who is easy to generate metta.
So that's the loved person.
The third person is the neutral person.
This could be...
Just someone who you meet.
You know...
On a day to day basis.
In your workplace.
That you say hello.
You don't know much about them.
Someone...
You know...
Who you see at the petrol station.
Right?
You go to fill your...
Your car.
And...
So that's called a neutral person.
This son...
Might be a little bit difficult.
And you might get bored with this person.
Because you don't know them that well.
Right?
But...
Maybe just...
You know...
Someone maybe in your workplace.
Or someone who you have a little bit of contact with.
Who...
You know...
You can sort of...
You know...
Send them good wishes.
You know...
May you be well.
May you be safe.
You know...
May you be protected.
You know...
Whatever phrases you want to send them.
Right?
And the last person is called a difficult person.
Right?
So that is the last one.
That is...
The difficult person should never ever be the first one that you develop love for.
It is the last one.
Because what that means is that you have really established your metta practice.
Through doing...
The metta for yourself.
The loved person.
The neutral person.
When this...
This could be years of work.
Kim.
Right?
So...
Know that.
This is...
This is...
This could take a long time.
I mean...
Others who...
You know...
Where the...
Love...
Flows freely.
Comes naturally.
They can develop it faster.
But...
I am...
Me personally...
Because I've actually grown in a western...
Grown up in a western culture.
You know...
I've always been hard on myself.
And...
It's actually...
To develop that metta for myself...
Actually took...
A couple of years.
Right?
A couple of years.
Right?
So this...
This is just to give you an indication of...
You know...
You know...
You know...
You know...
You know...
You know...
You know...
What it is...
For people.
And not...
Not to give up.
Not to give up.
Right?
Because that...
Bhante Sujata...
Who's one of the...
Main teachers of...
One of the...
My teachers of...
That I've learned...
Metta meditation from...
He...
He says...
You just continue with the practice...
Whether it's...
Breath meditation...
Or metta.
Because...
Each...
And every...
One of us...
Has...
We have love in our heart.
We just need to learn to tap...
Tap into it.
Right?
So you need to strongly believe that...
That love is in...
Our heart.
Right?
No matter how long it takes...
You will just keep on wishing yourself well...
Because you deserve it.
Question one...
Okay...
So...
Um...
Thank you very much...
There was a question in the chat...
Gloria...
From Jennifer...
Ah...
Yes...
Yeah...
Yeah...
Yeah...
Oh...
Question...
Sorry...
Um...
Any tips on how to maintain...
A daily...
Meditation practice...
As a lay person?
Okay...
So...
Um...
I think the key to that...
Is to...
Make a determination...
That every day...
Right?
You will do...
Um...
Whatever time that you decide...
Right?
Whether it's 20 minutes...
20 minutes of meditation...
Is a good time...
Because...
Even in that small amount of time...
You can actually...
See...
At...
At the end of that meditation...
That you feel...
Um...
You know...
There's a bit of peace...
And...
Um...
Perhaps...
A little bit of joy...
Right?
You can see that...
In 20 minutes...
Right?
So...
Decide what it is...
What it is...
Um...
You know...
Um...
Um...
Depending on...
You know...
Whether you're a beginner...
I recommend...
You know...
You do 20 minutes a day...
Right?
Five days a week...
Set a time...
And that time...
Has to be...
A...
A time that you...
You are...
You know...
You...
Finished your work...
Right?
Whether it's a job...
Or...
Your house...
Um...
Duties...
Whatever it is...
But...
Make a determination...
That this...
That time...
Is your time for practice...
Keep it...
Right?
You are sincere about it...
And...
You continue with that...
And over time...
You will begin to see...
Slowly begin to see results...
Right?
And...
Um...
I don't know...
Whether the person who asked...
The question is a beginner...
Or a...
Sort of a...
Um...
Um...
A seasonal...
Meditator...
But...
Um...
Over time...
Um...
You grow that 20 minutes...
Into...
Um...
Say...
45 minutes...
And...
To an hour...
Right?
Um...
Me personally...
I tend to...
Um...
Sit for an hour...
And I do walking meditation...
For half an hour...
And then I sit back...
Sit...
Sit for another hour...
So I actually...
Um...
Um...
Uh...
Combine...
Both sitting and walking meditation...
Um...
Along with maybe...
Um...
Um...
I...
I...
I do some walking meditation...
Inside my heart...
Uh...
But...
On a...
Nice...
Um...
In a clear day...
I go outside...
On my walking path...
So...
Um...
Every person is different...
And depending on...
Where you're at...
With...
With your meditation...
You...
Um...
Um...
You need to see...
Uh...
Uh...
To be able to see...
When your mindfulness...
Is...
Um...
Um...
Decreasing...
Right?
And that's when you stop...
And...
Um...
You can...
Get on the walking path...
Yeah...
So in summary...
Make a determination...
Keep to it...
And...
Um...
Again...
Uh...
Bhante Sujata's recommendation...
Um...
That you do...
Um...
20 minutes...
Uh...
Five...
Five times a week...
And if you miss it...
You've got two days to catch up...
Right?
And...
Um...
Someone I saw a comment coming up...
It doesn't matter...
What your mind state is...
You know...
Some days...
If you've had a hard day at work...
Or...
A difficult encounter...
It's gonna be more...
More difficult to settle down...
It's okay...
But it's actually just sitting with whatever emotion...
Um...
That you have...
Whatever mood that you're in...
You may be grumpy...
Or sad...
Just sitting with that...
Because you're...
Sitting...
You're learning to know about your own...
Um...
Emotions...
And to understand yourself...
Right?
Um...
And you will see that all the time...
That...
Um...
You will see...
See some changes in yourself...
Which I've described before...
That you're calm...
And you...
You can...
Deal with any difficult situation in your life...
Yeah...
I hope that helps...
Yeah...
What she said...
About it being very emotional sometimes...
Because...
Um...
Especially when I meditate with Adam Brown...
Sometimes like...
When I'm hard on myself...
Like...
And...
He talks about accepting...
Yourself...
It really...
Um...
Makes me feel...
Really...
Um...
Emotional...
But then afterwards...
I feel a bit like lighter...
And...
So I think...
Yeah...
It was really nice to recollect...
The...
Um...
Compassion of the Buddha...
And...
Yeah...
So thank you...
Oh...
You're most welcome...
It was really good to see you...
Likewise...
Yeah...
I mean...
Whenever...
Um...
Um...
Gloria...
You know...
You...
You...
You know...
Any...
One of us...
When we're hard on ourselves...
You know...
Think...
Think of that teacher...
And...
And...
Even more closer to us...
Some of us...
We can think of our parents...
Right?
Um...
You know...
Who...
Um...
You know...
Um...
And...
And Gloria...
I remember in terms of...
What you've said...
In the...
In the past...
But...
You need to work out...
Whether...
If it's not your parents...
Someone else...
That...
You know...
That...
That...
That they...
They love you dearly...
Right?
Um...
And...
Um...
There are...
There are a lot of people...
I guess...
Um...
Around us...
And...
Um...
When we...
Um...
When we begin to...
Um...
Develop our practice...
We...
They...
They...
They see the difference in us...
Right?
And we are also...
Able to give...
Um...
Give them that love as well...
So it's a two-way thing...
I have...
So a...
Beautiful...
Really lovely comment there...
Thank you...
Peace...
Uh-huh...
Yes...
That's...
That's correct...
Um...
The Buddha said that...
Um...
The only way...
That you can repay your parents...
Is by...
Getting them...
Um...
Um...
Grounded...
In...
In...
In the Dhamma...
Right?
So...
If your parents...
Um...
You know...
Have a practice that's going...
That's actually...
The...
The meditation...
The meditators...
And...
Um...
You know...
Um...
Until they...
They...
They pass away...
They...
They...
They practice the Buddha's teachings...
And...
Um...
You know...
Um...
Um...
Um...
I...
I see...
Um...
Parents of...
Um...
Very kind...
Um...
Peaceful...
Um...
Um...
People...
And...
Um...
Practicing well...
Yeah...
So...
Um...
Even if you've had a...
You know...
A bit of a...
Difficult time with your parents...
Um...
You know...
Slowly...
Slowly...
Um...
You know...
See them...
If you can introduce them to Dhamma...
Um...
You know...
This could take a...
A lot of time...
And...
Um...
You have to be...
Um...
Um...
You have to use a lot of tact...
And patience...
Heaps of patience...
If they are...
Not Buddhists...
But...
Um...
The best example you can give your parents is by how you behave yourself...
Right?
When they begin to see changes in you...
They will...
Ask...
Start asking you questions...
What are you doing?
You know...
What is it...
What is this Buddhism...
About?
You know...
That's what Ajahn Brahmali says...
You know...
That's...
You know...
They...
His parents saw the changes in him...
And...
Um...
Then later on...
You know...
His family were attending...
Um...
You know...
His...
His talks...
In Norway...
Right?
And...
Um...
I think they had...
You know...
Even some meditation...
Practice...
Going later on...
And...
Um...
His parents are very...
Very proud of him...
So...
Um...
Yeah...
So...
Uh...
Keep on practicing...
Because they will begin to see...
That you...
You know...
There's something going on for you...
And they'll be...
They'll be inquisitive...
They...
They'll want...
Uh...
You know...
Peace of that action as well...
You're very much venerable...
For joining us...
And...
Uh...
Giving us a beautiful guided meditation...
And dhamma talk...
And...
Um...
We wish you...
Very...
Well...
On your...
Coming retreat...
And...
Very peaceful time...
Um...
Before we end...
Shall we have a...
Share of merit...
Or blessing...
Or anything...
Yes...
Certainly...
And...
Um...
I wish you all the same...
I sincerely hope that you'll...
Uh...
Each...
And every one of you...
Will be able to deepen your practice...
And remember...
The end goal...
That the Buddha...
Um...
Left for us...
Is to end all our suffering...
And...
To exit...
Samsara...
Our...
Life...
To tell you...
The truth...
And...
To spread...
The negative...
About...
The Dharma...
And...
To expose...
The truth...
Life...
Be a...
teshai...
that will...
No...
Rains...
And...
Resurrect...
You...
To believe...
That...
Thank you all for joining me today.
I wish you all well in your practice and take care.
Thank you, Gloria.
Thank you, everyone.
Bye-bye.