Special Retreat Thailand 1999-2000 | Rosemary & Steve Knowledgebase

Old Students' Special Retreat Thailand 1999-2000

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Teacher
Day
Index
Question
Rosemary
3
1
Could you please repeat the Reflection to do before walking meditation, and maybe talk a little about Rebirth in relation to this?
Ref: 2000.01.x.03.01
Written answer
Rosemary
3
2
Is it more our opinion about what we are doing that brings contentment, whether we think it is good or bad, or if it is in reality beneficial for ourselves and others. E.g. I heard that Pol Pot died peacefully and maybe he thought he had done something good.
Ref: 2000.01.x.03.02
Written answer
Rosemary
3
3
Do you have some techniques to help me stay awake during the talks and guided meditations?
Ref: 2000.01.x.03.03
Written answer
Rosemary
3
4
What causes, in a Buddhist thinking, bring me to Wat Kow Tahm?
Ref: 2000.01.x.03.04
Written answer
Rosemary
3
5
Please can you explain the value of the Five and Eight Precepts?
Ref: 2000.01.x.03.05
Written answer
Rosemary
3
6
Is it OK to do the Five Reflections in a conversational tone, in a way that links them all together? Example: "Yes I'm very fortunate to have a precious human body and opportunities for Dhamma practice, but Death might come at any time, any minute, and I'd better not waste this chance. Everything is impermanent and these conditions will pass away, etc." Or is it more beneficial to always stop and ponder each one separately?
Ref: 2000.01.x.03.06
Written answer
- Death
- Dhamma
Rosemary
3
7
Do the Five Reflections have to be done formally, example in formal postures, or can one just take any opportunity that presents itself to reflect on such things?
Ref: 2000.01.x.03.07
Written answer
Rosemary
3
8
Isn't moment to moment awareness like knowing and reflecting on mind states and things like the Five Reflections.
Ref: 2000.01.x.03.08
Written answer
Rosemary
3
9
I have been adding the phrase "may these _____ be free of..." at the end of my reflection of Compassion and then going into the Lovingkindness wish. The idea was to strengthen the short form of the Compassion and Lovingkindness. Do you see any troubles with this?
Ref: 2000.01.x.03.09
Written answer
- Compassion/Lovingkindness
- Dukkha
Rosemary
3
10
What advantage has the standing compared to the sitting meditation? Can you recommend to do standing meditation in certain situations in life?
Ref: 2000.01.x.03.10
Written answer
Rosemary
3
11
During the D/D (Defusing/Diffusing Compassion and Lovingkindness) meditation last night, I found it easier to imagine someone of a certain age by bringing to mind briefly someone I know that age. Is it OK to do this to help my visualization? Does this take away from making it universal?
Ref: 2000.01.x.03.11
Written answer
Steve
4
1
Who is the person on the board outside and what is his story?
Ref: 2000.01.x.04.01
Written answer
Steve
4
2
It seems easy to wish Compassion and Lovingkindness for myself, yet the emphasis and wordings of this morning's meditation leaves me with some doubt that maybe it shouldn't be so easy to wish this for myself.
Ref: 2000.01.x.04.02
Written answer
Steve
4
3
I have heard that in this practice we should be continually be coming back to the moment, with an open, curious, questioning mind, and not to hold our beliefs too rigidly, as they may narrow our vision. We are also taught that doubting is not beneficial. I find that the line between doubting and questioning very fine at times. Do you have any suggestions or insights regarding this.
Ref: 2000.01.x.04.03
Written answer
Steve
4
4
In the moment of Death, ill from Alzheimer's disease, the mind is a wreck. What does the development of mind qualities help?
Ref: 2000.01.x.04.04
Written answer
- Death
- Thai story
Steve
4
5
Could you please tell us about clear comprehension and wisdom, about cause and effect in daily life?
Ref: 2000.01.x.04.05
Written answer
Steve
4
6
What is meant by the word "right" as it is used in the Noble Eightfold Path, in regard to "Right Understanding, Right Thought" etc.?
Ref: 2000.01.x.04.06
Written answer
Steve
4
7
Can you talk about Right Concentration, and it's role in the practice? How it supports the other seven parts of the Noble Eightfold Path?
Ref: 2000.01.x.04.07
Written answer
Steve
4
8
I find it difficult to meditate on Equanimity. Could you please give some examples?
Ref: 2000.01.x.04.08
Written answer
Steve
4
9
Did the Buddha or Buddhism say something about homosexuality?
Ref: 2000.01.x.04.09
Written answer
- Buddha
Steve
4
10
Is the amount of Dukkha in the world or the universe constant, and does Buddhism see a chance to decrease it if more people would meditate harder?
Ref: 2000.01.x.04.10
Written answer
Steve
4
11
Are we humans trying to have a spiritual understanding, or are we spirits trying to have a human understanding?
Ref: 2000.01.x.04.11
Written answer
- Human life
- No comment
Steve
4
12
When you reflect on the Five Reflections during one whole period, do you go through each one of them, and once this is done, pick one to meditate on, or can you go on to body awareness if no more ideas arise to reflect on?
Ref: 2000.01.x.04.12
Written answer
Steve
4
13
What do you recommend to do for physical health? If not exercises, as is Prana Yoga, Tai Chi, Qui Gong, maybe some sort of sport?
Ref: 2000.01.x.04.13
Written answer
- Sport
Steve
4
14
Do Metta (Lovingkindness/Compassion) meditations work like a one-hundredth monkey effect? When we actually visualize someone we know in a meditation, can they be somehow lifted up kammicly by wishing them ease of suffering, are we praying?
Ref: 2000.01.x.04.14
Written answer
Steve
4
15
How soon after the Buddha's life were the Scriptures written and how accurate are they thought to record his teachings?
Ref: 2000.01.x.04.15
Written answer
- Buddha
Rosemary
5
1
What can I do if aversion arises against Compassion and Lovingkindness meditation?
Ref: 2000.01.x.05.01
Written answer
Rosemary
5
2
Please how is it possible to tell the difference between wise caution and habitual fear? When fear is so universal and deep, yet wise caution can protect us.
Ref: 2000.01.x.05.02
Written answer
Rosemary
5
3
How do we work with the achieving mind, to balance it and to put it to good use?
Ref: 2000.01.x.05.03
Written answer
Rosemary
5
4
What is the purpose of entering high states of concentration, can wisdom be obtained in these states?
Ref: 2000.01.x.05.04
Written answer
Rosemary
5
5
Is it all right to let meditations to flow into each other, or should we keep strictly to the form? E.g., while practicing Mindfulness of Breathing, strong aversion to a sensation arises, switch object to the sensation, which passes, leading to a reflection on impermanence.
Ref: 2000.01.x.05.05
Written answer
- Impermanence
- Reflection
Rosemary
5
6
What is meant by formless meditation? Does it mean no object, any object that arises at a particular moment, or something else? Please explain.
Ref: 2000.01.x.05.06
Written answer
- Concentration
Rosemary
5
7
What is Broong Dtang?
Ref: 2000.01.x.05.07
Written answer
- Broong Dtang
- Reflection
Rosemary
5
8
I wanted to do a reflection where I took Sympathetic Joy for the efforts the Sangha makes to work on themselves/help each other. E.g. I thought about how people on this island celebrated the New Year, and how at Wat Kow Tahm it was celebrated, or how most people work for profit and generally most people in the Sangha don't. Do you have a short form of Sympathetic Joy, and I wasn't always sure when to say the Sympathetic Joy phrase, especially when one thought sparked off another about the good qualities of the Sangha. Hope this makes sense.
Ref: 2000.01.x.05.08
Written answer
Rosemary
5
9
Would you like to give a numbered list of the contents of the tool box?
Ref: 2000.01.x.05.09
Written answer
Rosemary
5
10
Is it true that if a person develops good Morality, then they will automatically get good Concentration? And if a person develops good Concentration, then they will automatically get good Wisdom?
Ref: 2000.01.x.05.10
Written answer
Rosemary
5
11
With the Death Reflection I find my mind can get quite fascinated with all the different ways to die, what they would be like, then it starts to want to experience them, so it would know definitely how it would feel. Is this a type of hindrance, and is there a technique to balance it?
Ref: 2000.01.x.05.11
Written answer
- Death
- Reflection
Rosemary
5
12
Why do you want us not to reflect while doing walking meditation?
Ref: 2000.01.x.05.12
Written answer
Rosemary
5
13
What can you do if you see a certain warping of compassion towards somebody occurring? That is, a feeling of superiority/inferiority arises, the benevolent offerer of compassion, very unskillfully done, feeling perked up and above somehow the receiver. Obviously not a true compassionate heart, but if it should be tainted even to a slight degree with this feeling, what can be done?
Ref: 2000.01.x.05.13
Written answer
Rosemary
6
1
What are the eight worldly conditions?
Ref: 2000.01.x.06.01
Written answer
Rosemary
6
2
Please can you remind me of the pattern of Sympathetic Joy meditation or give another one?
Ref: 2000.01.x.06.02
Written answer
Rosemary
6
3
How do we make Compassion and Lovingkindness meditation for very difficult people who cause a lot of harm in this world. How to separate them from their actions?
Ref: 2000.01.x.06.03
Written answer
Rosemary
6
4
Please do you have some techniques on how to forgive someone who caused big difficulties for us?
Ref: 2000.01.x.06.04
Written answer
Rosemary
6
5
Who decides if somebody is enlightened? Who decided it about the Buddha?
Ref: 2000.01.x.06.05
Written answer
Rosemary
6
6
Could you please explain the difference between fear and worry and how we can differentiate them when we investigate the hindrances?
Ref: 2000.01.x.06.06
Written answer
Rosemary
6
7
Rosemary talked about changing objects of meditation yesterday, say from the breathing to being aware of a sensation in the body, unpleasant sensation in the body leading to a reflection on impermanence and said that is ok. Was she only referring to this being ok while doing the breathing or is it ok for doing also with Reflection meditation?
Ref: 2000.01.x.06.07
Written answer
Rosemary
6
8
Reflecting on a very painful death, how can we have an open mind with so much pain in the body, how can we have to have a strong mind?
Ref: 2000.01.x.06.08
Written answer
Rosemary
6
9
Are the 10-day Vipassana retreats a traditional form of practice, or where were the origins? Do Thai people visiting the Wat know what these foreigners are doing?
Ref: 2000.01.x.06.09
Written answer
- Vipassana
Rosemary
6
10
With the knowing of change, that every feeling is changing, how can I say to a person that I love them, or say I want to marry them, and stay with them until I die?
Ref: 2000.01.x.06.10
Written answer
- Wisdom
Rosemary
6
11
Could you please elaborate on the dependent arising nature of Dukkha, give an example, especially for Dukkha relating to Desire?
Ref: 2000.01.x.06.11
Written answer
- Desire
- Dukkha
Rosemary
6
12
Please explain, can someone who has a big ego be a good teacher, and what is the problem with the ego, can you talk a little bit about the ego?
Ref: 2000.01.x.06.12
Written answer
Steve
7
1
How do the two ideas of not self and rebirth go together? If there is not a self, what is reborn?
Ref: 2000.01.x.07.01
Written answer
- Rebirth
Steve
7
2
Is rebirth thought to occur immediately at the moment of death?
Ref: 2000.01.x.07.02
Written answer
- Death
- Rebirth
Steve
7
3
Could you please remind us how to work with Unpleasant Physical Sensations?
Ref: 2000.01.x.07.03
Written answer
- Unpleasant physical sensation
Steve
7
4
Can you please give some explanation about the Paramis Truthfulness and Morality? What do they mean in Buddhism, what is important to consider about them?
Ref: 2000.01.x.07.04
Written answer
Steve
7
5
Why is it important to have a peaceful mind in our moment of death when you consider reincarnation is theory or belief, not a proven fact?
Ref: 2000.01.x.07.05
Written answer
Steve
7
6
What is the difference between greed, craving and desire?
Ref: 2000.01.x.07.06
Written answer
- Desire
Steve
7
7
Confidence inspiring objects. Rosemary mentioned reflecting on this when ill. Are they general things for example, Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha, or did she use something more personal?
Ref: 2000.01.x.07.07
Written answer
Steve
7
8
Usually as a child we can live in the present moment. But as we grow up we seem to lose this capability or capacity. Why?
Ref: 2000.01.x.07.08
Written answer
Steve
7
9
Do you have questions sometimes? Do you try to find answers in yourself or do you have somebody you can ask?
Ref: 2000.01.x.07.09
Written answer
- Questions
- Teachers
Steve
7
10
What to do when Compassion and Lovingkindness meditation creates too many emotions inside? Shall we let them manifest or try not to let them manifest?
Ref: 2000.01.x.07.10
Written answer
Steve
7
11
Are fate and Kamma the same thing? If we know that we did very wrong and unbeneficial things in the past, can we improve it now in the present?
Ref: 2000.01.x.07.11
Written answer
Steve
7
12
Is it important to confess unwise actions to others or is it enough to confess them inside ourselves?
Ref: 2000.01.x.07.12
Written answer
Steve
7
13
My capacity for having compassion seems to be limited by the level of equanimity I have developed. Please teach us techniques to strengthen equanimity.
Ref: 2000.01.x.07.13
Written answer
- Compassion
- Equanimity
Steve
7
14
Can you explain the difference between "not to doubt" and "to believe"?
Ref: 2000.01.x.07.14
Written answer
- Saddha
Steve
7
15
What is attachment made of? Fear of loss or desire?
Ref: 2000.01.x.07.15
Written answer
Steve
7
16
When doing the walking I seem to have a similar thought coming again and again. I'm trying to use Reflections to let go but they do not seem to work. What do I do?
Ref: 2000.01.x.07.16
Written answer
Steve
7
17
Rosemary talked about a story of a person who lost a child the other day. Can you tell us the story?
Ref: 2000.01.x.07.17
Written answer
Steve
7
18
What do I do if I can't seem to feel compassion for certain people?
Ref: 2000.01.x.07.18
Written answer
Rosemary
8
1
Please can you give some example(s) of how to make a short form of Compassion and Lovingkindness meditation?
Ref: 2000.01.x.08.01
Written answer
- Compassion/Lovingkindness
- Dukkha
Rosemary
8
2
What kind of Reflection could help to lessen the self-pity mind?
Ref: 2000.01.x.08.02
Written answer
Rosemary
8
3
Sometimes a hindrance like planning comes up frequently, not all at once, but again and again, and most times I note it, then it disappears quickly. Is it enough just to note it, or does it still have an effect through it's coming up so often, and would I need a balancing Reflection at some point?
Ref: 2000.01.x.08.03
Written answer
Rosemary
8
4
Would you advise to do the Re-dedication wish, to develop the Paramis as much as I can so I can be of most benefit for myself and others, in the beginning of every meditation in the daily practice?
Ref: 2000.01.x.08.04
Written answer
- Equanimity
- Paramis
Rosemary
8
5
First thoughts come up that the retreat will end soon, then emotions of sadness, the mind already starts to make plans for the next retreat, at least 20 days, or better three months. Is there a harmful attachment to retreats? And what are it's indications?
Ref: 2000.01.x.08.05
Written answer
Rosemary
8
6
When I decide to meditate every day, one hour in the morning and one hour in the evening, how much time should I use the Reflection, awareness of the breathing or body, standing, walking meditation. For example, 70% Reflection, 30% awareness of the breathing?
Ref: 2000.01.x.08.06
Written answer
Rosemary
8
7
How can I find out that my practice is in balance?
Ref: 2000.01.x.08.07
Written answer
Rosemary
8
8
Do you have any suggestions about where I could hang out if I become fully enlightened in this lifetime? I thought that perhaps I could start by spending the winters at Wat Kow Tahm, roaming from beach to beach in the afternoons, talking to hung over tourists about Dukkha and unpleasant physical sensations.
Ref: 2000.01.x.08.08
Written answer
- Buddha
- Dukkha
Rosemary
8
9
Sometimes while observing physical sensations in the body in a formal posture, as well as lying down to sleep, I have experienced a jolt in the body as if I were shot by an electrical current. I've learnt to become equanimous, just noting and bringing awareness back through the body, but still this equanimous mind remains curious about this phenomena. Any insight?
Ref: 2000.01.x.08.09
Written answer
Rosemary
8
10
Is there a technique to prevent ourselves from creating self-images?
Ref: 2000.01.x.08.10
Written answer