Mindfulness of the In and Out Breath, Ānāpānasati, was the favourite meditation object of the Buddha himself. He has given us very comprehensive and detailed instructions how to develop this form of meditation. However, many meditators, often even those practising regularly for many years, are not fully aware, or at least do not really apply, the instructions as provided by the Buddha. To encourage everyone to receive the full results of their Breath Meditation, Ajahn Dhammasiha goes through all 16 steps of Mindfulness of Breathing, as expounded by the Buddha; e.g. in Ānāpānasati Sutta, Majjhima Nikāya/Middle Length Discourses, No. 118 https://www.dhammatalks.org/suttas/MN/MN118.html Each of the four Tetrads develops one of the Foundatioins of Mindfulness (Satipaṭṭhāna) (i) BODY (KĀYA) (ii) FEELINGS (VEDANĀ) (iii) CITTA (MIND) (iv) DHAMMA (TRUTH) [i] 1. He breathes in mindfully, and he breathes out mindfully 2. Breathing in long, he knows: ‘I'm breathing in long’; or breathing out long, he knows: ‘I' breathing out long.’ Or breathing in short, he knows: ‘I'm breathing in short’; or breathing out short, he knows: ‘I am breathing out short.’ 3. He trains himself: ‘I will breathe in feeling the whole body.’ He trains himself: ‘I will breathe out feeling the whole body.’ 4. He trains himself: ‘I will breathe in calming all bodily activity’ He trains himself: ‘I will breathe out calming all bodily activity.’ [ii] 5. He trains himself: ‘I will breathe in experiencing rapture.’ He trains himself: ‘I will breathe out experiencing rapture.’ 6. He trains himself: ‘I will breathe in experiencing bliss.’ He trains himself: ‘I will breathe in experiencing bliss.’ 7. He trains himself: ‘I will breathe in experiencing mental activity.’ He trains himself: ‘I will breathe out experiencing mental activity.’ 8. He trains himself: ‘I will breathe in calming mental activity.’ He trains himself: ‘I will breathe out calming mental activity.’ (iii) 9. He trains himself: ‘I will breathe in experiencing the mind.’ He trains himself: ‘I will breathe out experiencing the mind.’ 10. He trains himself: ‘I will breathe in gladdening the mind.’ He trains himself: ‘I will breathe out gladdening the mind.’ 11. He trains himself: ‘I will breathe in unifying the mind.’ He trains himself: ‘I will breathe out unifying the mind.’ 12. He trains himself: ‘I will breathe in releasing the mind.’ He trains himself: ‘I will breathe out releasing the mind.’ (iv) 13. He trains himself: ‘I will breathe in focussing on impermanence.’ He trains himself: ‘I will breathe out focussing on inconstancy.’ 14. He trains himself: ‘I will breathe in focussing on dispassion / fading away.’ He trains himself: ‘I will breathe out focussing on dispassion / fading away.’ 15. He trains himself: ‘I will breathe in focussing on cessation.’ He trains himself: ‘I will breathe out focussing on cessation.’ 16. He trains himself: ‘I will breathe in focussing on letting go.’ He trains himself: ‘I will breathe out focussing on letting go.’ AUDIO PODCASTS In addition to these videos, we also publish about two new Dhamma talks and guided meditations every week as audio podcasts. The latest podcasts, and some 300 earlier ones on a wide variety of subjects, are available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts/itunes, Castbox, Google Podcasts, and many other podcast apps. Just search for "Dhammagiri Buddhist Podcasts" on your favourite podcast app. Or you can simply listen with with your browser directly from the Dhammagiri podcasts page: https://www.dhammagiri.net/podcast MORE INFORMATION Dhammagiri Website: https://www.dhammagiri.net Photos: https://latest-pics.dhammagiri.net Dhammagiri Newsletter: https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter Dhammagiri Podcasts: https://www.dhammagiri.net/podcast #buddhism #meditation #breathmeditation #anapanasati #anapanasatimeditation #mindfulness #mindfulnessmeditation #insight #samadhi #samatha

Ajahn Dhammasiha responds to a question by someone just getting started in their Dhamma practise. Ajahn talks about karma, generosity and kindness; and the future results of our karma. He mentions rebirth, the fact that our mind doesn't just vanish at death, but will connect with a new body in one of the different realms of existence, according to our karma and attachments. Ajahn recommends to go back to what the Buddha himself actually taught, and explains that in the oldest part of the Theravada Pali Canon we can find the most authentic record of the Buddha's own words. He passes on two books summarizing the Noble Eight Fold Path based on these early suttas: - Venerable Nyanatiloka, 'The Word of the Buddha', Buddhist Publication Society, Kandy, Sri Lanka https://www.urbandharma.org/pdf/wordofbuddha.pdf - Venerable Bhikkhu Bodhi, 'The Noble Eightfold Path' https://store.pariyatti.org/Noble-Eightfold-Path-The--PDF-eBook_p_4795.html Ajahn also recommends to establish a little shrine, and to keep that area 'sacred', by not doing any other activity than chanting and meditation there. He recommends to start a regular practice of Buddhist Chanting, and passes on our Amaravati Chanting Book, that includes both Pali and English Chants: https://cdn.amaravati.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/30/Chanting-Book-EN-Vol-1-Web-2024-12-26.pdf Ajahn encourages the newcomer to regularly continue his practice of Ānāpānasati (Meditation on Mindfulness of Breathing'), that he has already gathered some experience with. AUDIO PODCASTS In addition to these videos, we also publish about two new Dhamma talks and guided meditations every week as audio podcasts. The latest podcasts, and some 300 earlier ones on a wide variety of subjects, are available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts/itunes, Castbox, Google Podcasts, and many other podcast apps. Just search for "Dhammagiri Buddhist Podcasts" on your favourite podcast app. Or you can simply listen with with your browser directly from the Dhammagiri podcasts page: https://www.dhammagiri.net/podcast MORE INFORMATION Dhammagiri Website: https://www.dhammagiri.net Photos: https://latest-pics.dhammagiri.net Dhammagiri Newsletter: https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter Dhammagiri Podcasts: https://www.dhammagiri.net/podcast #buddhism #buddhistphilosophy #buddhistwisdom #buddhistteachings #dhammatalk

Ajahn Dhammasiha explains the emotion of Samvega = Spiritual Shock/Spiritual Urgency When we encounter Dukkha/Pain/Loss/Disappointment, the resulting sadness can make our heart dark and depressed. However, it's also possible to turn the pain we experience into a powerful motivation to practise the Buddha Dhamma with even more commitment and dedication, to ultimately free our heart from all suffering in the experience of the Deathless/Nibbāna. AUDIO PODCASTS In addition to these videos, we also publish about two new Dhamma talks and guided meditations every week as audio podcasts. The latest podcasts, and some 300 earlier ones on a wide variety of subjects, are available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts/itunes, Castbox, Google Podcasts, and many other podcast apps. Just search for "Dhammagiri Buddhist Podcasts" on your favourite podcast app. Or you can simply listen with with your browser directly from the Dhammagiri podcasts page: https://www.dhammagiri.net/podcast MORE INFORMATION Dhammagiri Website: https://www.dhammagiri.net Dhammagiri Newsletter: https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter Dhammagiri Podcasts: https://www.dhammagiri.net/podcast #loss #bereavement #urgency #buddhadhamma #dhammatalk #insight #vipassana

Ajahn Dhammasiha talks about the meaning of: 'Ādi-kalyānam, majjhe-kalyānam, pariyosāna-kalyānam' (Beautiful in the Beginning, Beautiful in the Middle, Beautiful in the End), one of the unique qualities of the Buddha-Dhamma. He also reponds to a question about the most senior monk disciple of the Buddha, Ven Aññā-Kondañña, and how he got his name. Finally, Ajahn offers some reflections on the question which parts of the Dhamma are most important to humanity right now in our current global situation; and how we can share the Dhamma with all human beings. AUDIO PODCASTS In addition to these videos, we also publish about two new Dhamma talks and guided meditations every week as audio podcasts. The latest podcasts, and some 300 earlier ones on a wide variety of subjects, are available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts/itunes, Castbox, Google Podcasts, and many other podcast apps. Just search for "Dhammagiri Buddhist Podcasts" on your favourite podcast app. Or you can simply listen with with your browser directly from the Dhammagiri podcasts page: https://www.dhammagiri.net/podcast MORE INFORMATION Dhammagiri Website: https://www.dhammagiri.net New Photos: https://latest-pics.dhammagiri.net Dhammagiri Newsletter: https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter Dhammagiri Podcasts: https://www.dhammagiri.net/podcast #buddhism #dhamma #dhammatalk #enlightenment #enlightenmentjourney

Sometimes our mind may feel a bit dark, or frustated, or sad. If we can arouse the energy to do some act of kindness, some simple act of generosity or sharing, it will shine like a little star and illuminate our mind. As we accumulate more and more acts of good karma (puñña), we make our mind brighter and brighter, until it's illuminated like the star-spangled night sky. MORE INFORMATION Dhammagiri Website: https://www.dhammagiri.net Latest Photos: https://latest-pics.dhammagiri.net Dhammagiri Newsletter: https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter Dhammagiri Podcasts: https://www.dhammagiri.net/podcast #buddhism #karma #kamma #nightsky #dhammatalk #dhamma

Ajahn Dhammasiha is asked about the importance of faith in the Buddha's teaching. The Pali term for the first of five spiritual faculties is 'saddha'. It could also be translated as 'confidence', 'conviction' or 'trust'. Ajahn discusses various conditions that nurture our conviction and make it very strong. He also explains that faith and knowledge are not contradictions, but can support each other in our Dhamma practice. AUDIO PODCASTS In addition to these videos, we also publish about two new Dhamma talks and guided meditations every week as audio podcasts. The latest podcasts, and some 300 earlier ones on a wide variety of subjects, are available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts/itunes, Castbox, Google Podcasts, and many other podcast apps. Just search for "Dhammagiri Buddhist Podcasts" on your favourite podcast app. Or you can simply listen with with your browser directly from the Dhammagiri podcasts page: https://www.dhammagiri.net/podcast MORE INFORMATION Dhammagiri Website: https://www.dhammagiri.net Dhammagiri Newsletter: https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter Dhammagiri Podcasts: https://www.dhammagiri.net/podcast Photos: https://latest-pics.dhammagiri.net #buddhism #faith #confidence #dhammatalk #knowledge

Venerable Ajahn Anan was the leading senior monk at our Stupa Consecration and Relic Enshrinement Ceremony at Dhammagiri Forest Hermitage. This Short presents a slide show of photos taken during the event. Audio in background is Luang Por Anan saying good bye just before his departure. He surprised us all by addressing us in ENGLISH! Luang Por expressed his anumodanā and thanked us for all the care the visiting monks have received, and mentioned that he hopes to come back to Brisbane not too far into the future. AUDIO PODCASTS In addition to these videos, we also publish about two new Dhamma talks and guided meditations every week as audio podcasts. The latest podcasts, and some 300 earlier ones on a wide variety of subjects, are available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts/itunes, Castbox, Google Podcasts, and many other podcast apps. Just search for "Dhammagiri Buddhist Podcasts" on your favourite podcast app. Or you can simply listen with with your browser directly from the Dhammagiri podcasts page: https://www.dhammagiri.net/podcast MORE INFO: Dhammagiri Website: https://www.dhammagiri.net Dhammagiri Newsletter: https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter Dhammagiri Podcasts: https://www.dhammagiri.net/podcast Latest Pics: https://dhammagiri.net/podcast #dhamma #slideshow

Tody is the most important day in the Buddhist calendar: Vesak, celebrating the birth, Supreme Awakening, and final Parinibbāna of the Buddha. Naturally, we did a guided meditation on Buddhānussati (Recollection of the Buddha), for which Ajahn Dhammasiha used his favourite Buddha-Mantra: "Bhagavā Arahaṃ Buddho - Buddho Arahaṃ Bhagavā; Bhagavā Arahaṃ Buddho - Buddho Arahaṃ Bhagavā; Bhagavā Arahaṃ Buddho - Buddho Arahaṃ Bhagavā..." Our meditation ended earlier than normal, around 4.10 pm, and was followed by a reflection on the Buddha's Supreme Awakening. Ajahn Dhammasiha focussed in particular the Bodhisatta's crucial insight that self-torment does not lead to awakening. Instead, the Bodhisatta remembered his attainment of First Jhāna as a child, and recognized that the non-sensual rapture and bliss of samādhi is actually the way to awakening, providing the foundation for developing vipassana and profound insight. At around 4.30 pm we asked forgiveness from Buddha, Dhamma and Sangha, and then did our Vesak recitation of 'There is one person...' passage in Anguttara Nikāya, elucidating the unique position of the Buddha in his own words. Finally, we did our Vesak circumambulation, this time up the hill around the newly consecrated ctuap on Dhammagiri summit. However for technical reasons we were unable to provide live coverage of the stupa site circumambulation. MORE INFORMATION Dhammagiri Website: https://www.dhammagiri.net Dhammagiri Newsletter: https://www.dhammagiri.net/newsletter Dhammagiri New Photos: https://latest-pics.dhammagiri.net Podcasts: https://www.dhammagiri.net/podcast (or 'Dhammagiri Buddhist Podcasts' on any good podcast app) #buddha #meditation #chanting #vesak2025 #awakening #enlightenment