Special Retreat Germany July 2019 | Rosemary & Steve Knowledgebase

Old Students' Special Retreat Germany July 2019

Each entry has a unique reference, which can be used to find entries quickly.
To learn more about this, go to the "About the Reference Codes" page.

At present there are 121 entries in this list.

Teacher
Day
Index
Question
Steve
11
1
How can I make the practice at home more interesting? And would you please talk more about the effort to maintain.
Ref: 2019.07.x.11.01
Audio answer
Steve
11
2
I am neither vegetarian nor vegan, do I have to feel bad about it?
Ref: 2019.07.x.11.02
Audio answer
Steve
11
3
How can I strengthen my Compassion/Lovingkindness wish, especially for difficult people?
Ref: 2019.07.x.11.03
Audio answer
Steve
11
4
Could you explain the difference between Theravada, Mahayana and Vajrayana?
Ref: 2019.07.x.11.04
Audio answer
Steve
11
5
It is difficult for me to understand where attachment to honor and fame starts. I like my job and want to be good at it, I put a lot of effort in it, is that attachment to honor and fame?
Ref: 2019.07.x.11.05
Audio answer
Steve
11
6
How do you recognize neutral worldly feeling?
Ref: 2019.07.x.11.06
Audio answer
Steve
11
7
How do you deal with the initial resistance to get started with something?
Ref: 2019.07.x.11.07
Audio answer
Steve
11
8
Is it helpful to apply Sympathetic Joy for oneself and if yes, how does it differ from self-attachment?
Ref: 2019.07.x.11.08
Audio answer
Steve
11
9
What is meant with selfish views and opinions? Can you give examples?
Ref: 2019.07.x.11.09
Audio answer
Steve
11
10
Can you please explain why you list Compassion before Lovingkindness in the Brahma Viharas, mostly they are listed the other way around?
Ref: 2019.07.x.11.10
Audio answer
Steve
11
11
The chorus of the Satipatthana Sutta speaks of observing things inwardly and outwardly, what does this mean?
Ref: 2019.07.x.11.11
Audio answer
Steve
11
12
What can I do when aversion against Dukkha comes up strongly?
Ref: 2019.07.x.11.12
Audio answer
Steve
12
1
Can you please talk about how it feels or looks like when you are generous, helpful, without being conceited about it?
Ref: 2019.07.x.12.01
Audio answer
Steve
12
2
When we try to be aware of the breathing, the Five Hindrances hinder us to do so. When I hear a sound and that sound reminds me of a car (neutral Vedana) which hindrance pulls me away from the breath?
Ref: 2019.07.x.12.02
Audio answer
- Five Hindrances
- Restlessness
Steve
12
3
How do we or should we teach meditation to kids? Our own, our students etc.?
Ref: 2019.07.x.12.03
Audio answer
Steve
12
4
Could you please tell about your view on listening to music?
Ref: 2019.07.x.12.04
Audio answer
- Music
- Lay people
Steve
12
5
The chorus of the Satipatthana Sutta urges us to observe the coming and going of things, with constant awareness and clear comprehension without identification and attachment, is this correctly understood?
Ref: 2019.07.x.12.05
Audio answer
Steve
12
6
What do you think your life would have looked like if you had not found meditation? What effects do you think meditation has had on your life?
Ref: 2019.07.x.12.06
Audio answer
- Steve's life
Steve
12
7
How can I learn to plan more wisely?
Ref: 2019.07.x.12.07
Audio answer
Steve
12
8
What would you suggest, how to deal with strong doubt in daily life?
Ref: 2019.07.x.12.08
Audio answer
Steve
12
9
Why is revenge such a powerful emotion in the world?
Ref: 2019.07.x.12.09
Audio answer
Steve
12
10
The arising of aversion or desire after Vedana is so fast, that makes it hard to observe objectively, any advice?
Ref: 2019.07.x.12.10
Audio answer
Steve
12
11
Vedana is the second Satipatthana section. It is also part of the fourth section. What is the difference?
Ref: 2019.07.x.12.11
Audio answer
Steve
12
12
What is the root of self-righteousness? And what is the best medicine against it?
Ref: 2019.07.x.12.12
Audio answer
Steve
12
13
I think you said once, that the best or most spiritual progress can be made between ages 45 - 65, can you elaborate?
Ref: 2019.07.x.12.13
Audio answer
Steve
12
14
How to heal a huge, unsolvable problem with a friend with equanimity?
Ref: 2019.07.x.12.14
Audio answer
Steve
12
15
How to prevent unbeneficial qualities from arising and the effort?
Ref: 2019.07.x.12.15
Audio answer
- Prevention
- Unbeneficial Qualities
Steve
12
16
Is there a special way for dedicating merits to the recently deceased?
Ref: 2019.07.x.12.16
Audio answer
Steve
12
17
According to the scriptures, is there something like a final and global defeat of Mara by all beings or is it an eternal cycle were Mara can only be defeated individually by a person becoming enlightened?
Ref: 2019.07.x.12.17
Audio answer
Rosemary
13
1
Can you please explain how Compassion brings up courage?
Ref: 2019.07.x.13.01
Audio answer
Rosemary
13
2
Are there any differences between practicing or reflecting on Generosity and Morality within the Ten Paramis and the Ten Anusati, the ten daily recollections?
Ref: 2019.07.x.13.02
Audio answer
Rosemary
13
3
What are the benefits of making comparisons with whole countries? For me it is hard to do it.
Ref: 2019.07.x.13.03
Audio answer
Rosemary
13
4
Rosemary spoke about the deep inherent insecurity, underlined competition between people, can you elaborate? What remedy for this insecurity?
Ref: 2019.07.x.13.04
Audio answer
Rosemary
13
5
I can understand the usefulness of the Four Assurances, but does the fourth assurance mean there is no connection between cause/ill doing and affects/negative consequences following this ill doing?
Ref: 2019.07.x.13.05
Audio answer
Rosemary
13
6
If there is a world beyond and if there is fruit and result of Kamma, well done or ill, then at death, at the dissolution of this body I shell reborn in a good destination in a heaven world. A person with a purified mind, should not they be reborn not in a heaven world, but in Nibbana per definition
Ref: 2019.07.x.13.06
Audio answer
Rosemary
13
7
What did the Buddha say about rebirth/reincarnation?
Ref: 2019.07.x.13.07
Audio answer
Rosemary
13
8
What is the difference between Compassion, Lovingkindness and Love?
Ref: 2019.07.x.13.08
Audio answer
Steve
14
1
When someone talks ironic, is it wrong speech, why or not?
Ref: 2019.07.x.14.01
Audio answer
- Wrong speech
- Right Speech
Steve
14
2
Why is jealousy such a powerful emotion?
Ref: 2019.07.x.14.02
Audio answer
Steve
14
3
Please, explain the desire for non-existence.
Ref: 2019.07.x.14.03
Audio answer
Steve
14
4
Is it good to use the technique of mental noting in normal daily life?
Ref: 2019.07.x.14.04
Audio answer
- Mental noting
- Daily life
Steve
14
5
Could you please outline the difference between mind states and mental objects from the Satipatthana Sutta.
Ref: 2019.07.x.14.05
Audio answer
Steve
14
6
Is it good to compare ourselves with others, to see we are actually not so brilliant as we think, to lessen conceit, to be more humble?
Ref: 2019.07.x.14.06
Audio answer
Steve
14
7
Could you tell your story of connecting to the Waldhaus? How did you decide to come here every year?
Ref: 2019.07.x.14.07
Audio answer
- Waldhaus
Steve
14
8
What can I do if a loved one believes someone else’s lies and then starts hating me?
Ref: 2019.07.x.14.08
Audio answer
Steve
14
9
How do you define Sangha?
Ref: 2019.07.x.14.09
Audio answer
- Triple Gem
- Sangha
Steve
14
10
I am experiencing a lot of desire, desire for this, that and the other. What I have even more of is the desire to be free from desire.
Ref: 2019.07.x.14.10
Audio answer
Steve
14
11
If during Compassion/Lovingkindness meditation, Compassion changes into pity and suffering with someone, how can I strengthen Equanimity?
Ref: 2019.07.x.14.11
Audio answer
Steve
14
12
If you see somebody doing something harmful, when would you say something? I once read, that the Buddha advised against saying something to a person who is not open minded.
Ref: 2019.07.x.14.12
Audio answer
- Buddha story
- Not Speaking
Steve
14
13
What is the difference between Vedana and emotions? How to deal with emotions?
Ref: 2019.07.x.14.13
Audio answer
Steve
14
14
Yesterday Rosemary spoke about honesty causing hurt feelings and disruptions of trust. In my experience honest words spoken with Compassion are like medicine, even if they cause pain to begin with. What is the balance between maintaining integrity and being honest, versus not causing pain and keep the peace?
Ref: 2019.07.x.14.14
Audio answer
Steve
14
15
How do you count Five Daily Recollections? Does Kamma count as one?
Ref: 2019.07.x.14.15
Audio answer
Steve
14
16
Is it recorded which of the Ten Paramis our Buddha had to perfect last? Could it have been Wisdom or Equanimity?
Ref: 2019.07.x.14.16
Audio answer
Steve
14
17
A balance between Compassion and Equanimity could be a deep and sincere wish for all beings to find inner peace and happiness, and at the same time knowing that this might not happen.
Ref: 2019.07.x.14.17
Audio answer
Steve
14
18
I read the explanation that fear is the strongest impulse to do things, what do you think?
Ref: 2019.07.x.14.18
Audio answer
- Fear
- Compassion
Steve
14
19
Would you please talk about the differences between mental formations, mental states, mental qualities or objects?
Ref: 2019.07.x.14.19
Audio answer
Steve
14
20
What do you think about medically assisted suicide, especially if a person is terminal ill and they are suffering because of heavy pain?
Ref: 2019.07.x.14.20
Audio answer
Rosemary
15
1
In the third foundation of mindfulness in the Satipatthana Sutta we are to observe mind states, with or without desire or aversion, just observe. In the fourth Satipatthana Sutta/foundation of mindfulness, we are to investigate the conditions for the arising of desire and aversion, when they arise as hindrances, see how to let them go and prevent them from arising in the future. Could you please explain the difference?
Ref: 2019.07.x.15.01
Audio answer
Rosemary
15
2
What would you do, if a good friend with a terminal illness with heavy pain would ask you to help and assistant them with a medically assisted suicide?
Ref: 2019.07.x.15.02
Audio answer
Rosemary
15
3
It was mentioned that the Buddha was not vegetarian or vegan, was this, you think, need for practical reasons that he was given meals to eat?
Ref: 2019.07.x.15.03
Audio answer
Rosemary
15
4
I remember you saying that if we want to reduce ignorance, we have to watch out not only for our good and bad thoughts, but also for thoughts when we are lost. How can we watch out for thoughts when we are lost?
Ref: 2019.07.x.15.04
Audio answer
Rosemary
15
5
Letting go unpleasant worldly feelings by cultivating unpleasant spiritual feelings, can you please explain?
Ref: 2019.07.x.15.05
Audio answer
Rosemary
15
6
Why is it so important to have a strong and wise mind at the moment of death? Is it more important than any other moment?
Ref: 2019.07.x.15.06
Audio answer
Rosemary
15
7
Considering the food reflection, I always hesitate at this one: "We eat to stay healthy." I think I eat much more than the amount I would need to stay healthy. Then, in retreat we get three nicely cooked meals a day, at home I have two meals a day, which is still enough to keep me strong. Maybe even one would do it. So, when it comes to the question: "Why do we eat?" Would it be a more honest answer: "Because we like to eat?"
Ref: 2019.07.x.15.07
Audio answer
Rosemary
15
8
Please talk about Determination, what are its benefits? Why is it one of the last Paramis? What factors increase it?
Ref: 2019.07.x.15.08
Audio answer
Rosemary
15
9
Regarding the Five Daily Recollections, how to reflect on this recollection: "I am related to my Kamma"?
Ref: 2019.07.x.15.09
Audio answer
Rosemary
15
10
I find it quite challenging to replace anger against the unwise behavior of a person with Compassion and Lovingkindness, especially when having pain... Can you recommend a strong antidote for these moments, especially in busy daily life?
Ref: 2019.07.x.15.10
Audio answer
Steve
16
1
Is it useful to reflect on the Seven Factors of Enlightenment, the Ten Paramis or the eight worldly dhammas?
Ref: 2019.07.x.16.01
Audio answer
Steve
16
2
Do the Seven Factors of Enlightenment describe the whole practice?
Ref: 2019.07.x.16.02
Audio answer
- Seven Factors of Enlightenment
Steve
16
3
Can you please talk about the relationship between heedfulness and Samvega.
Ref: 2019.07.x.16.03
Audio answer
Steve
16
4
In your opinion, what is the mind?
Ref: 2019.07.x.16.04
Audio answer
Steve
16
5
Regularly one sees selfish or rude behavior in traffic, trains, at work, at home: Should one act and try to correct the selfishness one sees or practice Equanimity?
Ref: 2019.07.x.16.05
Audio answer
Steve
16
6
Which elements of the western culture conditioning make it hard for us to have faith in the path?
Ref: 2019.07.x.16.06
Audio answer
Steve
16
7
I see many similarities between Patience and Equanimity, could you please point out the differences.
Ref: 2019.07.x.16.07
Audio answer
Steve
16
8
What are the differences between praise, especially self-praise, joy and sympathetic joy?
Ref: 2019.07.x.16.08
Audio answer
Steve
16
9
In your experience, does the difficulty of the practice reach some sort of peak or hump after which it becomes easier, like the effortless grace of this sportsperson?
Ref: 2019.07.x.16.09
Audio answer
Steve
16
10
Did the Buddha say something about how much to take care for the body?
Ref: 2019.07.x.16.10
Audio answer
Steve
16
11
I struggle a lot with the right wording for a Compassion/Lovingkindness wish suitable for all the different meditations and situations, especially the one from last night for myself and others in long gone situations in the past, can your advice?
Ref: 2019.07.x.16.11
Audio answer
Steve
16
12
The systematic ways of reflecting about Sympathetic Joy seem to be limited compare to Compassion/Lovingkindness reflections. Do I need to reflect more about Sympathetic Joy? What can I do, when I run out of systematic ways?
Ref: 2019.07.x.16.12
Audio answer
Steve
16
13
Could you please explain Renunciation in more detail, reasons for, benefits, examples and relevance in lay life?
Ref: 2019.07.x.16.13
Audio answer
Steve
16
14
In the Five Daily Recollections, there is the line: Abide supported by my Kamma. Could you please elaborate. Kamma
Ref: 2019.07.x.16.14
Audio answer
- Five Daily Recollections
- Abide supported by my Kamma
Steve
16
15
A close family member thinks it is okay to express aversions and anger. I think this is wrong view; shall I try to correct this or practice Equanimity?
Ref: 2019.07.x.16.15
Audio answer
Steve
16
16
What are some things we can do at the moment of death to ensure a beneficial rebirth? And what are some things that we can do for others at their last moments?
Ref: 2019.07.x.16.16
Audio answer
Steve
16
17
Kamma itself has no Morality, is that true?
Ref: 2019.07.x.16.17
Audio answer
Steve
16
18
Finding it hard to avoid self-centeredness while taking the necessary solitude for inner work in the practice. Sometimes being alone can seem a refuge from the possible pitfalls of relating to others. Equanimity is hard! How to remain generous to oneself and share with others, especially when you live with other people?
Ref: 2019.07.x.16.18
Audio answer
Rosemary
17
1
Having equanimity is more like a process, not like a decision, one has it again and again, on the same problem, is that right?
Ref: 2019.07.x.17.01
Audio answer
Rosemary
17
2
What is the antidote to self-pity?
Ref: 2019.07.x.17.02
Audio answer
Rosemary
17
3
In the bowing practice, what does surrender one’s ego mean?
Ref: 2019.07.x.17.03
Audio answer
Rosemary
17
4
Could you please explain the Five Spiritual Powers and how they work together.
Ref: 2019.07.x.17.04
Audio answer
Rosemary
17
5
What are the old students taught to reflect on, when they lead the standing/sitting meditation for us? Thanks to them.
Ref: 2019.07.x.17.05
Audio answer
Rosemary
17
6
Why are some body sounds for the people around so unpleasant?
Ref: 2019.07.x.17.06
Audio answer
Rosemary
17
7
What role does the development of powerful levels of concentration play it the development of selfless emotions?
Ref: 2019.07.x.17.07
Audio answer
Rosemary
17
8
Some people who harm others seem to be doing just fine, it can seem like they like their life a lot and like they are unaffected by bad Kamma. I thought about how their next life might be. Sometimes seem like a puny inspiration to keep doing the right thoughts.
Ref: 2019.07.x.17.08
Audio answer
Rosemary
17
9
Is depression a kind of aversion towards oneself?
Ref: 2019.07.x.17.09
Audio answer
Rosemary
17
10
Should one avoid situations that bring about most desire and aversion, if possible, that is food is not possible to avoid, or should one be mindfully in these situations that bring about most desire and aversion and practice/cultivating equanimity?
Ref: 2019.07.x.17.10
Audio answer
Rosemary
17
11
Can a person be equanimous without being patient?
Ref: 2019.07.x.17.11
Audio answer
Rosemary
17
12
In our societies there is a concept of guilt, in Buddhism we talk about Kamma that comes from cause and effects. Is there something like guilt in the world or is this just not seeing the whole picture?
Ref: 2019.07.x.17.12
Audio answer
Steve
18
1
When Siddhartha Gautama almost starved himself, he decided to eat again, a crucial moment. The person who gave him the food did some pretty good Kamma. Could you elaborate on this please?
Ref: 2019.07.x.18.01
Audio answer
- Stories
- Kamma
Steve
18
2
How can we identify the difference between striving for something and clinging in everyday life?
Ref: 2019.07.x.18.02
Audio answer
Steve
18
3
Could you please explain Mental Formations and Consciousness from the Five Aggregates?
Ref: 2019.07.x.18.03
Audio answer
Steve
18
4
Why is Kamma not listed in the Three Characteristics? Surely it is also a Characteristic of Existence?
Ref: 2019.07.x.18.04
Audio answer
Steve
18
5
What is the higher level of each Parami?
Ref: 2019.07.x.18.05
Audio answer
- Ten Paramis
Steve
18
6
Why is truth "the sweetest of all tastes"?
Ref: 2019.07.x.18.06
Audio answer
Steve
18
7
How to avoid suppression of emotion and naturally occurring physical responses when cultivating equanimity?
Ref: 2019.07.x.18.07
Audio answer
Steve
18
8
To get food, even if it is vegetarian, many creatures have to suffer, but eating meat means even more suffering, how to find a balance?
Ref: 2019.07.x.18.08
Audio answer
Steve
18
9
Did the Buddha ever comment on the Hindu religion, on the Hindi gods? I am interested since he was born into a Hindi society.
Ref: 2019.07.x.18.09
Audio answer
- Hindu Religion
- Brahman Religion
Steve
18
10
What is the Buddhist meaning of the word emptiness?
Ref: 2019.07.x.18.10
Audio answer
- Emptiness
Steve
18
11
Do you know what happens to monks, when they got sick? After hospital, can they get back to the monastery? What, if they are old and cannot care for themselves?
Ref: 2019.07.x.18.11
Audio answer
- Monks
Steve
18
12
Is one a better meditator if one tells a deliberate lie with shame, compared to if they tell a deliberate lie without shame?
Ref: 2019.07.x.18.12
Audio answer
- Lies
- Moral Shame
Steve
18
13
What is meant by a saying: "Speak softly, but carry a big stick"?
Ref: 2019.07.x.18.13
Audio answer
Steve
18
14
How does being courageous and being gentle go together?
Ref: 2019.07.x.18.14
Audio answer
Steve
18
15
Do the Ten Paramis and the Brahma Viharas belong or refer to Right Intention? Is there a difference between Morality as the middle part of the Noble Eightfold Path and the Morality as the second Parami?
Ref: 2019.07.x.18.15
Audio answer
Steve
18
16
Without Dukkha there would be no need for compassion/lovingkindness and no need for the Dhamma, right?
Ref: 2019.07.x.18.16
Audio answer
Steve
18
17
You talked about wise fear and wise anger. Is there also a wise doubt? And if yes, how can we work with that in our practice?
Ref: 2019.07.x.18.17
Audio answer
Steve
18
18
Is it okay to phrase the compassion/lovingkindness wish in second person singular pronoun instead of third person? I feel none comfortable addressing the person directly.
Ref: 2019.07.x.18.18
Audio answer
Steve
18
19
In my compassion/lovingkindness meditation, I give the wish to a hundred and more people. To myself, I give it only once in that time. Should I consider myself more often, as I have more problems with self-compassion, compare to compassion with others. Would that create more of a balance?
Ref: 2019.07.x.18.19
Audio answer
Steve
18
20
In mental development, we are working hard to let go, while out there in our careers we are working hard to gain: knowledge, prestige, experience, etc. It feels difficult to get these two movements together, can you help?
Ref: 2019.07.x.18.20
Audio answer
Steve
18
21
I think, this retreat would not have been as insightful as it was, had not Mara been around. Do you consider Mara as part of the learning experience, or is it rather our wisdom that helps disguise Mara?
Ref: 2019.07.x.18.21
Audio answer
- Mara
- Ignorance
Steve
18
22
I have let go of so much Dukkha since I started to practice, I sometimes feel there is not much left, at the moment. Can this be the reason for my slower growth, not enough Dukkha ? Or am I not seeing clearly?
Ref: 2019.07.x.18.22
Audio answer
- Dukkha
- Muscles
Steve
18
23
If I recall correctly, Jesus said, that if someone hits you on your left cheek, you should present your right cheek, so he can hit you on that one, too. Would not that be an unskilful action according to the Dhamma?
Ref: 2019.07.x.18.23
Audio answer
Steve
18
24
If I calculate how many people got enlightened since the Buddha taught, and how many people were on earth since then, the wish for all beings to become enlightened seems completely unrealistic. How to deal with that? Is it only a trick in the mind?
Ref: 2019.07.x.18.24
Audio answer