Search found 12 matches

by Slow Learner
Mon Mar 26, 2012 3:24 pm
Forum: Vipassanā / Satipaṭṭhāna Bhāvana
Topic: 10-day goenka retreat
Replies: 135
Views: 43230

Re: 10-day goenka retreat

one wonders why with such assurance they are so silent with regards to how some of their teachings stack up against the suttas (the actual teachings of the Buddha) There's a very good article discussing the teachings of this tradition in relation to traditional theravada teachings found in the sutt...
by Slow Learner
Mon Jan 30, 2012 4:34 pm
Forum: Vipassanā / Satipaṭṭhāna Bhāvana
Topic: Goenka retreat- aversion towards Chanting
Replies: 144
Views: 40270

Re: Goenka retreat- aversion towards Chanting

What would have to be understood here is that Goenka-ji is a traditional Theravadin and he functions within that context. He is not one of these Western sutta-only people who did not grow up with a living tradition and who are using Western notions of religious critique to come up with they think i...
by Slow Learner
Mon Jan 30, 2012 2:23 pm
Forum: Vipassanā / Satipaṭṭhāna Bhāvana
Topic: Goenka retreat- aversion towards Chanting
Replies: 144
Views: 40270

Re: Goenka retreat- aversion towards Chanting

this thread may have already gone beyond this point, but while I personally enjoy the chanting on these courses, I share Brizzy's interest in how the emphasis (small, medium or large) on "vibrations" in Goenka's teaching fits into traditional Theravada dhamma. I've attended several courses...
by Slow Learner
Fri Dec 16, 2011 7:26 pm
Forum: General Theravāda Meditation
Topic: awareness all day
Replies: 23
Views: 3892

Re: awareness all day

The cultivation of the idea that there is awareness on the one hand and distraction on the other hand and that once distracted one has to bring something (e.g. the mind) back to where it should be but where it isn't I find not helpful. I mean it is just an idea, but if the cultivation of ideas shal...
by Slow Learner
Tue Aug 30, 2011 2:58 pm
Forum: Sīla
Topic: Fifth precept
Replies: 42
Views: 11614

Re: Fifth precept

It tooks me a few years of meditating before I was ready to stop drinking, and then at that point it was an easy step to take. I came back from a 10 day retreat and realized that I wanted to continue to be open to things as they are, no matter how unpleasant, rather than create false feelings of ple...
by Slow Learner
Thu Jun 23, 2011 6:46 pm
Forum: Theravāda for Beginners
Topic: How to answer the morality question?
Replies: 11
Views: 3799

Re: How to answer the morality question?

Acting and reacting from craving and aversion is at the root of immoral behaviour. The Noble Eightfold Path is all about liberation from craving and aversion. A belief in God isn't needed, just a willingness to look at your own suffering.

Metta,

SL
by Slow Learner
Mon Sep 27, 2010 4:30 pm
Forum: Introductions
Topic: Hello from Montreal,Canada
Replies: 9
Views: 2364

Re: Hello from Montreal,Canada

Hi, and welcome! The True North Insight Meditation Centre has some groups that meet in Montreal, and offers retreats in the Ottawa/Montreal area: http://www.truenorthinsight.org/index.html I haven't been to any of their retreats, but they have some good teachers and I've heard positive reports from ...
by Slow Learner
Fri Aug 27, 2010 5:53 pm
Forum: Connections to Other Paths
Topic: the great vegetarian debate
Replies: 5693
Views: 970328

Re: what's wrong with eating meat?

On a regular basis until recently a group of Lao lay supporters used to take a huge batch of Big Macs to Chithurst for the Dana meal thinking that they were giving them a big treat. Eventually enough hints were dropped and the lay folk realised that actually the Bhikkhus would appreciate other thin...
by Slow Learner
Tue Jan 12, 2010 5:39 pm
Forum: General Theravāda Meditation
Topic: Conceptual and Non-Conceptual
Replies: 50
Views: 14550

Re: Conceptual and Non-Conceptual

Hi Slow Learner, It's not actually my quote, it's Daniel Ingrams :) and of course it's oversimplified to make some particular points. Clearly being aware that things are impermanence, etc, can be helpful in dealing with stuff, as you say. On the other hand, that is a conceptual awareness of imperma...
by Slow Learner
Tue Jan 12, 2010 3:00 am
Forum: General Theravāda Meditation
Topic: Conceptual and Non-Conceptual
Replies: 50
Views: 14550

Re: Conceptual and Non-Conceptual

Just so, when practicing morality, the first and most fundamental training in spirituality, content is everything, or at least as far as training in morality can take you. You can’t be a mass murderer and rationalize this by thinking, “Well, they were all impermanent, unsatisfactory and empty, so w...
by Slow Learner
Tue Jan 12, 2010 1:48 am
Forum: General Theravāda Meditation
Topic: First 9-Day Retreat
Replies: 2
Views: 1085

Re: First 9-Day Retreat

During the retreat: 1) Be kind to my body and mind 2) Give it my best effort 3) No expectations Feedback on these ideas would be appreciated as well as anything which you have found useful. With Metta, Guy Hi Guy - here's a link to some retreat advice that I've found useful in the past and have sho...
by Slow Learner
Mon Nov 16, 2009 5:23 pm
Forum: Theravāda for Beginners
Topic: Best Dharma Talks
Replies: 43
Views: 22670

Re: Best Dharma Talks

Joseph Goldstein is a highly skilled teacher who speaks from a place of deep practice and much learning. His talks can be found at: http://www.dharmaseed.org/teacher/96/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Dharmaseed has tons talks by a wide variety of Theravadin/vipassana teac...