Jhana Dhamma Talks

The cultivation of calm or tranquility and the development of concentration
waryoffolly
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Re: Jhana Dhamma Talks

Post by waryoffolly »

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Modus.Ponens
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Re: Jhana Dhamma Talks

Post by Modus.Ponens »

waryoffolly wrote:Is this the Ayya Khema talk?
http://mirror1.birken.ca/dhamma_talks/i ... _16.3..mp3
I think it is! I recognise a key part where Ayya Khema says that in the infinitude of consciousness we realise that when we think of a self, the "delusion is rampant".

Thank you very much!
'This is peace, this is exquisite — the resolution of all fabrications; the relinquishment of all acquisitions; the ending of craving; dispassion; cessation; Unbinding.' - Jhana Sutta
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mirco
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Re: Jhana Dhamma Talks

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All talks on the Sekha Sutta: http://talks.dhammasukha.org/mn.html#mn-053
Cormac Brown
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Re: Jhana Dhamma Talks

Post by Cormac Brown »

http://www.dhammatalks.org/Archive/y201 ... _Jhana.mp3

This talk counters notions that getting attached to Jhana is dangerous. It advises that you need to get stuck on jhana in order to wean the mind off sensuality (1). It offers practical advice in how to breathe and relate to the body in a way that promotes a sense of nourishment, refreshment and wellbeing, one which will surpass any pleasure from sensual pleasures and help you leave them behind.

Metta

Cormac

(1) Supported by this sutta:
"Even though a disciple of the noble ones has clearly seen as it actually is with right discernment that sensuality is of much stress, much despair, & greater drawbacks, still — if he has not attained a rapture & pleasure apart from sensuality, apart from unskillful mental qualities, or something more peaceful than that[4] — he can be tempted by sensuality. But when he has clearly seen as it actually is with right discernment that sensuality is of much stress, much despair, & greater drawbacks, and he has attained a rapture & pleasure apart from sensuality, apart from unskillful mental qualities, or something more peaceful than that, he cannot be tempted by sensuality. [MN 14]
“I in the present who am a worthy one, rightly self-awakened, am a
teacher of action, a teacher of activity, a teacher of persistence. But the
worthless man Makkhali contradicts even me, (saying,) ‘There is no
action. There is no activity. There is no persistence.’ "
AN 3.138, trans. Ven. Thanissaro
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manas
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Re: Jhana Dhamma Talks

Post by manas »

In this talk, Thanissaro Bhikkhu discusses the dhamma-teachings of Ajahn Lee. It's well worth a listen, and especially relevant to this topic, later in the talk there are some helpful tips regarding how to cultivate, enter into and sustain jhana.
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TreeSleeper
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Re: Jhana Dhamma Talks

Post by TreeSleeper »

A personal friend of mine told me his account of Jhana. He said it was like being in love with the most beautiful girl continually. he said this state lasted for sever days. It was like every moment was sheer joy and happiness, like being in love, but with everything. This is when he acquired the counterpart sign of the kasina, he would see a translucent disk floating in front of him where ever he went. He has not had the experience since.

People talk about Jhana lightly, but from all the meditation I've done, I wouldn't say I ever experienced Jhana. It's just on some higher level that only very few people can attain or experience. These Jhanas are so powerful that some people think that's enlightenment, if you remember the Buddhas first two teachers. They are so powerful that even the non-returner is attached to them. Whatever happiness the non-returner has, he still can become attached to these Jhanas. I'd take it very lightly when someone says they can attain Jhana. I would say I've only every experienced samadhi, when the mind goes into that conscious deep sleep, and that's all hope for.
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CedarTree
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Re: Jhana Dhamma Talks

Post by CedarTree »

Aya Khema and Ajahm Brahm both have books that deal with Jhana practice.

They are amongst the best in my opinion :) I would read Ajahn Brahm first and then move to Aya Khema so you can understand more of what she is saying when she talks you through all eight :)


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Akashad
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Re: Jhana Dhamma Talks

Post by Akashad »

Western students of Venerable Pa Auk Sayadaw who teaches The Jhanas as described in the Visudhimaggas.

Talk by Shaila Catherine:

https://www.audiodharma.org/teacher/31/ ... ration.mp3


Talks by Tina Rassmussen and David Snyder:

1)What Is The Jhana Practice? #1 66:22 http://dharmaseed.org/teacher/262/talk/3812/

2)First Sit To First Jhana - talk #2 49:55 http://dharmaseed.org/teacher/262/talk/ ... talk_2.mp3

3)Am I Going To Get Jhana? Talk #3 1:11:33 http://dharmaseed.org/teacher/262/talk/ ... talk_3.mp3

They both have also have written books.
Saengnapha
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Re: Jhana Dhamma Talks

Post by Saengnapha »

Nice lady.
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Benjamin
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Re: Jhana Dhamma Talks

Post by Benjamin »



My favorite talk from Thanissaro so far; led me into one of my deeper initial experiences with Jhana.
:candle: :buddha1: :candle:
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Akashad
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Re: Jhana Dhamma Talks

Post by Akashad »

Came across this talk hope it will be helpful to someone. (Pa auk). :namaste:

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salayatananirodha
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Re: Jhana Dhamma Talks

Post by salayatananirodha »

what is a 'hard jhana'?
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mikenz66
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Re: Jhana Dhamma Talks

Post by mikenz66 »

salayatananirodha wrote: Sat May 11, 2019 2:22 am what is a 'hard jhana'?
A deeply-absorbed jhana (as opposed to the lighter versions).

See: The Great Jhana Debate.
Further discussion should be on that thread...

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Mike
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Modus.Ponens
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Re: Jhana Dhamma Talks

Post by Modus.Ponens »

mikenz66 wrote: Sat May 11, 2019 2:31 am
salayatananirodha wrote: Sat May 11, 2019 2:22 am what is a 'hard jhana'?
A deeply-absorbed jhana (as opposed to the lighter versions).

See: The Great Jhana Debate.
Further discussion should be on that thread...

:heart:
Mike
Hi Salayatananirodha.

The short version is that there are two understandings of what jhana is. In the "hard jhanas" the mind is so focused, that it locks on the object of concentration, without being aware of anything else, including thoughts and the body. In the "light jhanas" the mind is stabilised and focused, but not locked. There is bodily awareness, and occasional thoughts in the background, but the mind's focus is stable. It is absorbed.

Both kinds of jhana are accompanied by the jhana factors, but the hard jhanas are harder to develop. They are deeper forms of concentration. But I also think they are not necessary to achieve stream entry. These days I think the difference is more about the degree of focus, than about two hypothetically very different forms of jhana. In my opinion, a sensible compromise for serious meditators would to develop light jhana in order to achieve stream entry and then consider developing the hard jhanas.

I recommend reading the thread that Mikenz66 linked to because it goes really in depth about the two understandings of jhana.
'This is peace, this is exquisite — the resolution of all fabrications; the relinquishment of all acquisitions; the ending of craving; dispassion; cessation; Unbinding.' - Jhana Sutta
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Modus.Ponens
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Re: Jhana Dhamma Talks

Post by Modus.Ponens »

Modus.Ponens wrote: Sun Sep 22, 2013 4:28 pm This dhamma talk is by Ayya Khema. She describes the jhanas 1 to 8, how to get there (except that this part on the 4th is not possible to hear), what you do after each jhana and what insights you get from each jhana. In the end there's a bit of Q&A. It's a very good concise explanation of the subject, in my opinion.

The old link to this great dhamma talk is broken. But this one works.

It's called "The Eight Jhanas", and it was taught at Bodhinyana, on the 16th of March of 1994.

https://www.buddhistdoor.net/audio/the- ... ayya-khema
'This is peace, this is exquisite — the resolution of all fabrications; the relinquishment of all acquisitions; the ending of craving; dispassion; cessation; Unbinding.' - Jhana Sutta
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