On the Uposatha, Tahn Pamutto reflects on AN 5.161 – the Buddha’s five strategies for overcoming a grudge or resentment. Starting by recognizing the drawbacks and suffering inherent in Anger, we can then use these strategies to free our mind from the object of our resentment, which is usually a person or group of people. […]
AN 5.161 – Removing a Grudge Read More »
Tahn Pamutto reads and expands on MN 20, which provides five strategies for coming out of unwholesome thinking and switching to wholesome thinking. These are given in order – from quickest and most effective to last ditch strategies to use when all else fails.
MN 20: Strategies for Stilling Thoughts Read More »
To begin the daylong on the theme of ‘Papañca – Mental Proliferation’, Tahn Pamutto reflects on how we see the mind drift, get distracted, and compulsively elaborate on a theme. The process is directly linked to Sañña and how we build the perspectives and opinions that dominate our viewpoints on the world. Tahn also goes
Papañca – Mental Proliferation Read More »
For the afternoon session of the Gratitude Daylong, Tahn Pamutto expands on gratitude practice as an extension or entry point to Mettā practice. Our Mettā practice should never be a strain or create suffering. If we have crowded out the intrusive thoughts it is doing its job. However, developing the practice also allows us to
Talk: You Get Gratitude or You Don’t Read More »
For the morning session of the Gratitude Daylong, Tahn Pamutto explains the concept of Gratitude or Kataññu that comes through the Pāli canon and how to begin to cultivate by starting with streams of generosity we know are pure and wholesome.
Talk: Starting Gratitude Practice Read More »
From the ‘Making Sense of the Senses’ Daylong, the AM Dhamma reflection: In the afternoon, a guided meditation exploring the sense doors:
Making Sense of the Senses Read More »
On the Uposatha, Tahn Pamutto reflects on Aniccā, the characteristic of Impermanence or Change. Change is the basic nature of things. It is the very definition of what it means to be alive and existing in this world. Yet the structure of the mind is to look for, think on, and build upon ideas of
On the Uposatha Tahn Pamutto gives a talk on the Meghiya Sutta, AN 9.3. This sutta was given to a monk who was new in the practice and not yet ready to be out on his own. The Buddha’s advice centers around those things we can cultivate, both actively and passively, to bring our mind
To Meghiya – Bringing the Mind to Maturity Read More »
On the Uposatha, Tahn Pamutto reflects on one of the higher fetters known as Conceit, or Māna. This commonplace word was used by the Buddha as a catch-all for those processes by which we create an idea of self and other. This is different from Ignorance, which is the defunct view of a self in
