Special Retreat Germany July 2017 | Rosemary & Steve Knowledgebase

11

1

Which reflection or reflections can I use, when I find myself perpetually discontented with the present moment, especially when it is unpleasant?

Ref: 2017.07.x.11.01

Audio answer

Steve

11

2

I know that Dukkha has diminished/disappeared in my life, yet other Dukkha appears, so the amount of Dukkha seems to be cancelled. I would be interested to hear your opinion about this.

Ref: 2017.07.x.11.02

Audio answer

Steve

11

3

I find it difficult to work with an itch, as I react to it very quickly with aversion, even if I can bear with an itch for a few seconds, all I am doing is bitterly enduring it, then scratching to make the itch go away. Might you have any tips and advice for this?

Ref: 2017.07.x.11.03

Audio answer

Steve

11

4

How can we be mindful of focusing on problems, that arise dependent on the contact of the senses with their objects? Don't problems arise only through unwise thinking/unwise mental formations?

Ref: 2017.07.x.11.04

Audio answer

Steve

11

5

Who was the teacher that told you, "you do not have enough compassion for yourself"?

Ref: 2017.07.x.11.05

Audio answer

Ajahn Jumnien

Steve

11

6

If you realize during your meditation practice that you were sleeping, with the little shock of your head and you were dreaming thoughts, conversation and images, how do you label this? Dreaming, dreaming; thinking, thinking; sleeping, sleeping or sloth and torpor, sloth and torpor?

Ref: 2017.07.x.11.06

Audio answer

Steve

11

7

Aversions and resistance come up very quickly if someone invades my personal space. How best to deal with this?

Ref: 2017.07.x.11.07

Audio answer

Steve

11

8

Can you please explain what is Kamma?

Ref: 2017.07.x.11.08

Audio answer

Steve

11

9

Quote: Ignorance of the reality of life, is this ignorance of Kamma, Dukkha, impermanence, the impermanent nature of things or more?

Ref: 2017.07.x.11.09

Audio answer

Steve

11

10

I was raised Catholic, that means that you were taught that you are guilty, even being born. I find it hard to feel compassion for myself if I make a mistake or have bad thoughts, is it harder for people from a Christian or western society to feel compassion for themselves?

Ref: 2017.07.x.11.10

Audio answer

Steve

11

If you do compassion/lovingkindness meditation start with yourself, do you think about your Dukkha that moment, or your big Dukkha, for example deceased family. Last one can end with a lot of tears, the other is more superficial.

Ref: 2017.07.x.11.11

Audio answer

Steve

12

1

Aversion coming up in a discussion with a difficult person, how can you handle the aversion in this moment, when it is not possible to sit on a pillow and meditating?

Ref: 2017.07.x.12.01

Audio answer

Steve

12

2

I do reflections on death and impermanence daily, it helps me to feel how fortunate I am to be alive, but it does not lessen my fear of death/dying, what can I do?

Ref: 2017.07.x.12.02

Audio answer

Steve

12

3

There is a story in the scriptures and then a quote here "you have been kidnapped with three others, a good friend, someone you don't like and a total stranger, you were ordered to pick one of the three to die" The Buddha says, if your mind moves towards anyone of them, you don't understand my teaching. The first few times I thought of this, my mind always did move to one of the three, but yesterday I went instead to the kidnapper, compassion for him came up, for they were the source of the Dukkha in the story, they were suffering. Is there more to the story/to the teaching then this?

Ref: 2017.07.x.12.03

Audio answer

Steve

12

4

Do you think or know, are there enlightened beings in the world now?

Ref: 2017.07.x.12.04

Audio answer

Steve

12

5

How to balance compassion for others and myself? I can often understand the other one’s reaction and even get angry or disappointed.

Ref: 2017.07.x.12.05

Audio answer

Steve

12

6

There are such beautiful English and Pali Metta chants, what do you think about evening metta chanting?

Ref: 2017.07.x.12.06

Audio answer

Steve

12

7

What is the eight-week course into Buddhism that we offer in Australia about?

Ref: 2017.07.x.12.07

Audio answer

Steve

12

8

Of the body we reflect, it is of the nature to age, decay and die, but what of the mind? At work, bright young people have sharp minds and are quick witted. I have noticed I am slower than before, forget things etc. My parents even more so and some even older people often have very simple repetitive thoughts or preoccupations. Is this aging or decay of the mind? Can you discuss.

Ref: 2017.07.x.12.08

Audio answer

Steve

12

9

Could you please explain how sympathetic joy for myself can be unselfish?

Ref: 2017.07.x.12.09

Audio answer

Steve

12

10

Watching the daily news on TV, in which ways can I use them as beneficial meditation objects instead of feeling disappointed and frustration about the actual political developments?

Ref: 2017.07.x.12.10

Audio answer

Steve

12

11

What would you say to people, who say that all the teachings are universal truths, that can be understood without Buddhism?

Ref: 2017.07.x.12.11

Audio answer

Steve

12

If I understood Steve correctly on the first Q&A day, he said that the practice has stages when we develop, stages when we plateau and stages where we fall back, what are the causes of this falling back, in other words to old conditioning and how can this be reduced or prevented?

Ref: 2017.07.x.12.12

Audio answer

Steve

12

13

What can I do in a situation of strong grief and there is no time for a longer, deeper equanimity reflection? The five daily recollections help to cut the strong peaks, but for the moment it's not enough, and on the other hand not to fall into indifference.

Ref: 2017.07.x.12.13

Audio answer

Steve

12

14

Could you explain the differences and similarities between sympathetic joy as to the Brahma Viharas, joy, as to the factor of enlightenment and joy/confidence inspiring object of meditation?

Ref: 2017.07.x.12.14

Audio answer

Steve

12

15

I have heard the causes of Dukkha to be referred to as greed, hatred or ill-will and ignorance and craving, unwise reaction and ignorance. Can you please discuss greed vs craving and hatred vs unwise reaction?

Ref: 2017.07.x.12.15

Audio answer

Steve

12

16

What is the difference, where is the line between compassion to ourselves and selfishness?

Ref: 2017.07.x.12.16

Audio answer

Steve

12

17

Is there such a thing as guilt?

Ref: 2017.07.x.12.17

Audio answer

Steve

12

18

Occasionally during the walking before dinner or in the early morning I notice aversion arising without really knowing where it comes from. I wonder whether the reason could be hunger, respectively the aversion coming from the unfulfilled desire to eat. Referring to what you said the other morning, could I hinder the aversion from coming up, by being aware of and noting the unpleasant feelings in my stomach earlier?

Ref: 2017.07.x.12.18

Audio answer

Steve

12

19

Does Right Understanding assume there is one objective truth? What happens when Right Intention comes from wrong understanding?

Ref: 2017.07.x.12.19

Audio answer

Rosemary

13

1

The Four Assurances, a hate free mind, "at death shell I be reborn", I thought I you are purified, you are not getting reborn. The second, third and fourth assurance make sense to me, if I am purified, but I am not, and the Kalamas where not so, so why did the Buddha give that teaching?

Ref: 2017.07.x.13.01

Audio answer

Rosemary

13

2

If we are able to discover let go of negative conditionings and wrong thoughts, do we need to replace or substitute them? Hopefully with the unselfish emotions and beneficial conditioning. Do we need to feel to feel the whole or does this happen by itself while reflecting on good qualities, positive aspects, right thinking?

Ref: 2017.07.x.13.02

Audio answer

Rosemary

13

3

What are good technics to have more equanimity towards my own live and my own human potential?

Ref: 2017.07.x.13.03

Audio answer

Rosemary

13

4

Is there any special meditation in Theravadin Buddhism for people who are dying or dead?

Ref: 2017.07.x.13.04

Audio answer

Rosemary

13

5

Could you please explain the difference between Vedana and feelings, and were do mind states like powerlessness, despair, loneliness fit in?

Ref: 2017.07.x.13.05

Audio answer

Rosemary

13

6

Do you believe in star signs meanings your birthday somehow determines your character. If so, why and do you in consequence also believe that there is a personal destiny that can be foreseen? Thank you for your answer.

Ref: 2017.07.x.13.06

Audio answer

Rosemary

13

7

I have a lot of unhelpful guilt, but I am attached to it, because of the belief that without it I would be a bad person. Can you recommend a practice for letting go of it, but not moral shame, or a practice to help convert guilt into moral shame?

Ref: 2017.07.x.13.07

Audio answer

Rosemary

13

8

How are intention and intuition related?

Ref: 2017.07.x.13.08

Audio answer

Steve

14

1

Is mental development the hardest thing to do in the world, because it takes a long time to see the results?

Ref: 2017.07.x.14.01

Audio answer

Steve

14

2

Observing the breath through the nose vs the belly, some say that the noise easier to concentrate on and so can help those really struggling with keeping the mind attracted, may I please know your thoughts on this?

Ref: 2017.07.x.14.02

Audio answer

Steve

14

3

What are the different levels of the Paramis, can you give examples?

Ref: 2017.07.x.14.03

Audio answer

Steve

14

4

Can you explain the difference between delusion, as one of the three root poisons and ignorance as a cause for these three poisons? Where does the ignorance come from?

Ref: 2017.07.x.14.04

Audio answer

Steve

14

5

Many Eastern and Western Buddhist teachers find it important to stress that Enlightenment is possible in this very lifetime. The Buddha also stressed that especially in the Satipatthana practice, for example. I find this to be motivating and empowering, why do you disagree? Would you say that all teachers and practitioners who claim stages of Enlightenment or do not experience suffering anymore are deluded?

Ref: 2017.07.x.14.05

Audio answer

Steve

14

6

What can you say to a dying person who is non-Buddhist, who says "it is not the time, I don't feel like dying"?

Ref: 2017.07.x.14.06

Audio answer

Steve

14

7

Practicing martial arts in a competition, where you try to knock out the other person, is that bad Kamma? Especially when both agree to the rules?

Ref: 2017.07.x.14.07

Audio answer

Steve

14

8

There is Dukkha everywhere, how, why should we consider life as a gift and not a mere fact to best deal with?

Ref: 2017.07.x.14.08

Audio answer

Steve

14

9

I struggle with the Special Mindfulness Activity compassion/lovingkindness before walking. Opening up to the possibility or likeliness that I will harm beings makes me not want to do the walking. I realized this would not be a satisfying solution as I would be doing something else and most likely less mindful and therefore harm maybe even more beings, so, can I do the following, and there are four choices here: Ask forgiveness from the beings I may harm, in the sense while doing the compassion/lovingkindness reflection. Another choice is express the wish, that my walking will bring more positive results then will cause harm. And another choice is dedicating the merit of the walking to be shared, especially with these beings.

Ref: 2017.07.x.14.09

Audio answer

Steve

14

10

The Satipatthana Sutta is at times very subtle and refined in the awareness level, for example Vedana and perception, how can we bring more of this level of awareness in our daily life? What is the mental formations level more where our work can we done?

Ref: 2017.07.x.14.10

Audio answer

Steve

14

11

Yesterday Rosemary mentioned the three characteristics of existence, not having power over things, please can you mention the others?

Ref: 2017.07.x.14.11

Audio answer

Steve

14

12

With the compassion/lovingkindness meditation it sometimes feels like a heavy weight although it is a wish. I found out that there is a subtle or a lot of aversion against Dukkha. I do not feel acceptance with all that Dukkha and that influences the compassion/lovingkindness wish. How to work with it, even if this negative aspect is just subtle?

Ref: 2017.07.x.14.12

Audio answer

Steve

14

13

It is said, that it took the Buddha 500 lives to become enlightened, how do we know that he remembered them, do you remember one of your past lives?

Ref: 2017.07.x.14.13

Audio answer

Steve

14

Can mental formations be helpful in some ways or are they wrong thinking?

Ref: 2017.07.x.14.14

Audio answer

Steve

14

15

Regarding dedications of merits, in which way can someone benefit now from us sitting here and listening to you?

Ref: 2017.07.x.14.15

Audio answer

Steve

14

16

How to reflect on the Buddha, when dying and only minutes or seconds are left before blanking out?

Ref: 2017.07.x.14.16

Audio answer

Steve

14

17

Would you please talk about friendship?

Ref: 2017.07.x.14.17

Audio answer

Rosemary

15

1

Is Buddhist practice able to heal people who are neurotic or suffer from other heavy psychic problems?

Ref: 2017.07.x.15.01

Audio answer

Rosemary

15

2

Is being happy overrated? For instance, with regards to quotes like, "May all beings be happy" or "Do more of what make you happy"?

Ref: 2017.07.x.15.02

Audio answer

Rosemary

15

3

Would you please talk a bit more about spiritual Dukkha?

Ref: 2017.07.x.15.03

Audio answer

Rosemary

15

4

What does not self in the Three Characteristics of Existence mean, can you please explain?

Ref: 2017.07.x.15.04

Audio answer

Rosemary

15

5

What is jealousy? Aversion, wanting fame, under confidence? What antidote?

Ref: 2017.07.x.15.05

Audio answer

Rosemary

15

6

How do you think ones’ Dedication of Merits can reach all beings?

Ref: 2017.07.x.15.06

Audio answer

Rosemary

15

7

How can we practice Broong Dtang in our walking meditation?

Ref: 2017.07.x.15.07

Audio answer

Rosemary

15

8

Are Mara and Ego the same?

Ref: 2017.07.x.15.08

Audio answer

Rosemary

15

9

Concerning Right Effort, sometimes people tell me that I am too hard on myself. I on the contrary have the feeling of being to lazy. I find it very hard to know if my strings are too tight or to lose. Any hints on how to find the right tuning?

Ref: 2017.07.x.15.09

Audio answer

Rosemary

15

10

Is there any difference between the enlightenment of the Buddha and other people? Are there stories about their teachings in the scriptures?

Ref: 2017.07.x.15.10

Audio answer

Rosemary

15

11

Is the amount of Dukkha in the world always on the same level? Example: ISIS fighters in Syria and many wars currently, or is it just the media information more?

Ref: 2017.07.x.15.11

Audio answer

Steve

16

1

How can I develop more Saddha, Confidence or Faith and in consequence more Equanimity? Which techniques help to grow in Confidence?

Ref: 2017.07.x.16.01

Audio answer

Steve

16

2

I really want to be more equanimous, but it is very difficult to believe, that all Dukkha is rooted in Kamma, every rape victim is only confronted with their own Kamma. Every cancer patient deserves this illness, war victims deserve a violent death, is there a way to open up to this thought that you can share with me?

Ref: 2017.07.x.16.02

Audio answer

Steve

16

3

I understand the freedom from Dukkha is possible "no matter the circumstances". Yet it seems wise, if possible not to remain in abusive circumstances. Could you tell something about avoidance and confrontation or aversion and equanimity?

Ref: 2017.07.x.16.03

Audio answer

Steve

16

4

If you are in bad Kamma in one life, there are billions of options to be reborn in the next one, for example as a blood sucking tick, -imagination, I created that- with little hope of working on good Kamma for the next life, but at least not having enough brain to realize it "I guess". Were as Jim, who did something horrible to somebody and has to live with the guilt, who decides, is it coincidence or a creator besides the law of cause and effect, who decides?

Ref: 2017.07.x.16.04

Audio answer

Steve

16

5

Do you have an idea of how one can be enlightened and unable to teach?

Ref: 2017.07.x.16.05

Audio answer

Steve

16

6

The second hindrance is sometimes translated into ill-will, you use the term aversion. In my understanding the meaning of this words are not the same, so who is right?

Ref: 2017.07.x.16.06

Audio answer

Steve

16

7

Does an equanimous mind have no preference?

Ref: 2017.07.x.16.07

Audio answer

Steve

16

8

When I think of the possibility that we might have met in the past and the law of Kamma, can this reflection be used as Sympathetic Joy meditation or confidence inspiring object?

Ref: 2017.07.x.16.08

Audio answer

Steve

16

9

How to reflect on equanimity, when standing in line waiting, and why not reflect on patience?

Ref: 2017.07.x.16.09

Audio answer

Steve

16

10

Could you please say something about the ego, Rosemary said that there exists a positive ego also.

Ref: 2017.07.x.16.10

Audio answer

Steve

16

11

Could you please give an example for a wish regarding yesterday’s meditation back through our life’s, mine always gets too long.

Ref: 2017.07.x.16.11

Audio answer

Steve

16

12

I believe I have heard you mention, that you ended up choosing Theravadin Buddhism, because it has fewer blind beliefs, compared to other traditions. Please could you give a few examples of blind beliefs?

Ref: 2017.07.x.16.12

Audio answer

Steve

16

13

How important is humor in our practice?

Ref: 2017.07.x.16.13

Audio answer

Steve

16

14

Is it Mara that keeps us away from the practice, when many things seem to be more important than a deeper meditation practice?

Ref: 2017.07.x.16.14

Audio answer

Steve

16

15

Many people around the world play video games and so-called Ego-Shooter-Games, you have to kill a lot of people. Does the intention of killing produce bad Kamma even if it is just a game?

Ref: 2017.07.x.16.15

Audio answer

Steve

16

What is the difference between Patience and Equanimity and why do we need Patience when we can have Equanimity?

Ref: 2017.07.x.16.16

Audio answer

Steve

16

17

In the evening shortly before sleeping and also in the night, especially here in the retreat I am having wild dreams or strong fears. Does Mara prefer coming at that time? What’s best to do? Thank you!

Ref: 2017.07.x.16.17

Audio answer

Steve

16

18

Once I heard about different realms, for example an animal realm, what does this mean according to the scriptures?

Ref: 2017.07.x.16.18

Audio answer

Steve

16

19

Regarding the sixth sense, the mind, depending on what makes those thoughts arise, when it is not contact between one of the other sense doors and their objects and also not other mental formations, what leads to the thought?

Ref: 2017.07.x.16.19

Audio answer

Steve

16

20

Emotions arise depending on mental formations, does emotions also arise not depending on mental formations?

Ref: 2017.07.x.16.20

Audio answer

Steve

16

21

Can you please talk a bit more about the Seven Factors of Enlightenment?

Ref: 2017.07.x.16.21

Audio answer

Steve

16

22

Is the concept of Mara always related to one person and one mind? Or is it mentioned on a collective level as well for the example for whole societies?

Ref: 2017.07.x.16.22

Audio answer

Steve

16

23

How can we be more aware of how much you are doing and doing for us (Gifts)?

Ref: 2017.07.x.16.23

Audio answer

Steve

16

24

When standing in the sun I have at least two options: Savor the moment, really appreciate it, note how good it makes me feel or think of times when I was cold, think about all the people who are cold now and have Compassion for them. Is all the above considered Wise Reflection?

Ref: 2017.07.x.16.24

Audio answer

Steve

16

25

If my mind drifts off when giving someone a Compassion/Lovingkindness wish, not because of a resistance, just because it drifts, should I repeat the wish or move to the next person?

Ref: 2017.07.x.16.25

Audio answer

Rosemary

17

1

Is peace of mind that there is not thought bringing me away from the moment?

Ref: 2017.07.x.17.01

Audio answer

Rosemary

17

2

I am not sure what to focus on when dying, the Buddha or the Compassion/Loving kind wish?

Ref: 2017.07.x.17.02

Audio answer

Rosemary

17

3

DD, how to reflect when you are the one who has most pain?

Ref: 2017.07.x.17.03

Audio answer

Rosemary

17

4

I have a question about a quote from the Alavaka Sutta, "truth is the sweetest of all tastes", but the truth can be bitter sometimes, like being told we failed an exam, are there different types of truths?

Ref: 2017.07.x.17.04

Audio answer

Rosemary

17

5

When eating at home, do you Steve and Rosemary talk much or just eat and talk later?

Ref: 2017.07.x.17.05

Audio answer

Rosemary

17

6

Could you please explain the term heedfulness?

Ref: 2017.07.x.17.06

Audio answer

Rosemary

17

7

Can you please talk about the different levels of Truthfulness? Thank you.

Ref: 2017.07.x.17.07

Audio answer

Rosemary

17

8

"The world has its balance of pleasant or not", what do you mean by this?

Ref: 2017.07.x.17.08

Audio answer

Rosemary

17

9

Please, could you explain the difference between mind and thought? Is it correct, that the mind is like the organ to read the thought, like the nose the smelling?

Ref: 2017.07.x.17.09

Audio answer

Rosemary

17

10

How can I increase awareness?

Ref: 2017.07.x.17.10

Audio answer

Rosemary

17

11

To a certain extent, all what we are doing here seems to be unpersonal in the way like a service in the Dhamma, how to guard this experience in a beneficial way?

Ref: 2017.07.x.17.11

Audio answer

Steve

18

1

How may I develop a strong firm Compassion as opposed to a soft fuzzy warm one, or is Compassion both?

Ref: 2017.07.x.18.01

Audio answer

Steve

18

2

Is there a specific reason to the length of the retreats, 9 or 18 days?

Ref: 2017.07.x.18.02

Audio answer

Steve

18

3

Why is wanting fame so big for all of us?

Ref: 2017.07.x.18.03

Audio answer

Steve

18

4

Please give some examples how to express Compassion to a person in words.

Ref: 2017.07.x.18.04

Audio answer

Steve

18

5

Can you describe the difference between Morality and Wisdom? You sometimes seem to use these qualities interchangeably.

Ref: 2017.07.x.18.05

Audio answer

Steve

18

6

So, what am I doing with the understanding of not-self, not taking everything so personally?

Ref: 2017.07.x.18.06

Audio answer

Steve

18

7

When a dying person gets strong drugs for the relieve of pain and fear, how does that affect the state of mind? There is no pain, but less consciousness. How about dying during sleep?

Ref: 2017.07.x.18.07

Audio answer

Steve

18

8

Could you talk about unconditional love, what is meant by this in a worldly sense and in a spiritual sense? If love can be expressed, felt or perceived, surely it is conditional or conditioned. So, when people talk of unconditional love, what are they referring to?

Ref: 2017.07.x.18.08

Audio answer

Steve

18

9

Please could you give some advice as how best to balance between the D/D Method, move the attention away from the I and Compassion/Lovingkindness for oneself, which is to focus the attention on the I. The above seen in the light of lessening the Dukkha depends on the eight worldly dhammas.

Ref: 2017.07.x.18.09

Audio answer

Steve

18

10

Can you explain how mental noting works? The ear hears a sound, consciousness arises, perception labels it a dog, Vedana arises and then we note "hearing, hearing" and thus there are no mental formations.

Ref: 2017.07.x.18.10

Audio answer

Steve

18

11

Could you please explain the difference between peace of mind and tranquility?

Ref: 2017.07.x.18.11

Audio answer

Steve

18

12

Does Truthfulness to ourselves also include the ability to see our beneficial qualities and actions in order to get the full pictures of ourselves?

Ref: 2017.07.x.18.12

Audio answer

Steve

18

13

What other systematic ways are there to reflect on the relationship between the Brahma Viharas and the Paramis?

Ref: 2017.07.x.18.13

Audio answer

Steve

18

14

When you do a reflection on the Buddha, do you use standard phrases or do you sort of freestyle in the moment? Could you give examples of wording, when you reflect on the Buddha?

Ref: 2017.07.x.18.14

Audio answer

Steve

18

15

Could you please say a bit more of how to do the Compassion/Lovingkindness Meditation, when choosing a particular age in your life. How to combine the Going Through Your Life meditation with the D/D Method? As mentioned on the chart "many Compassion/Lovingkindness techniques."

Ref: 2017.07.x.18.15

Audio answer

Steve

18

16

More often I reflect about the Compassion/Lovingkindness wish than compare to reflect on the Buddha. Is it better to do the Compassion/Lovingkindness wish when dying?

Ref: 2017.07.x.18.16

Audio answer

Steve

18

17

The reflection on the Paramis also seems to work in the way: How does sense-desire threaten the development of Generosity, Morality, Renunciation, etc. (Yes! very good) Is it a good practice to work on the hindrances or for the matter by crossing any of the list, to see how they work or work against each other?

Ref: 2017.07.x.18.17

Audio answer

Steve

18

As by definition a Buddha must uncover the ultimate truth by himself without having received the Dhamma teachings, what kind of teachings did the last Buddha receive then?

Ref: 2017.07.x.18.18

Audio answer

Old Students' Special Retreat Germany July 2017