Rosemary & Steve Knowledgebase

Can you please give more advice on the need to be important and the fear of being obscure?

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Ref: 2001.07.x.02.04

Written answer

Special Retreat Germany September 2005

How can one deal better with the feeling of failure?

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Ref: 2005.09.x.07.02

Written answer

Special Retreat Thailand July 2003

Can you please tell me more about Truthfulness?

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Ref: 2003.07.x.07.07

Written answer

Special Retreat Germany September 2014

Why is it so difficult to be really tolerant with oneself and others? How can we lessen our tendencies for intolerance?

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Ref: 2014.09.x.13.03

Audio answer

Special Retreat Germany September 2014

Can you please talk about the effort to prevent?

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Ref: 2014.09.x.17.14

Audio answer

Special Retreat Germany September 2014

Could you please give one example of how to reflect upon resolution/determination?

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Ref: 2014.09.x.17.10

Audio answer

Special Retreat Australia April 2004

Sometimes I wonder what I am going to do in my life with all these insights into the Dhamma.

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Ref: 2004.04.x.03.09

Written answer

Special Retreat Australia April 2004

On the one hand we wish ourselves and others to be free of Dukkha, on the other hand we must see Dukkha in the world to progress in the practice, how to reconcile?

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3

Ref: 2004.04.x.06.03

Written answer

You've said the Noble Eightfold Path is like a spiral. Could you please explain this in a little bit more detail?

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1

Ref: 2007.01.x.06.01

Written answer

What is more important - Compassion or Wisdom?

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Ref: 2007.01.x.02.04

Written answer

Sometimes I find out that I made wrong decisions. Then I feel upset and angry about it. When I reflect later on I see that it was quite obvious to decide correctly, but I did the opposite. Please, what can I do to avoid such situations in the future?'

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3

Ref: 2007.01.x.07.03

Written answer

Can you please talk about the importance of having Compassion for ourselves in situations where someone is doing something incorrect, but only mildly? Often I try to have Compassion and Lovingkindness for the other person, but really my aversion is the real problem. How to detect it sooner, and work with it?

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2

Ref: 2007.01.x.07.02

Written answer

Finding a balance between Compassion and Equanimity is sometimes too much of one, and not enough of the other.

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1

Ref: 2007.01.x.02.01

Written answer

Special Retreat Germany July 2017

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

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Ref: 2017.07.x.11.09

Audio answer

Special Retreat Germany July 2017

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?

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Ref: 2017.07.x.12.15

Audio answer

Special Retreat Germany July 2017

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?

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Ref: 2017.07.x.13.01

Audio answer

Special Retreat Germany July 2015

Can you please talk about unfulfilled expectations? Disappointment can be strong sometimes.

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Ref: 2015.07.x.16.10

Audio answer

When I receive constructive criticism or other types of blame I often turn towards a defensive attitude before listening fully to see whether their statement is true, and if it could help me in some ways. This causes unnecessary difficulties in my relationship. How does one avoid the defensive attitude?

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Ref: 2006.01.x.07.10

Written answer

How does one work to increase Wisdom?

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Ref: 2006.01.x.07.07

Written answer

Could you please go through Energy, Wisdom and Resolution.

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Ref: 2006.01.x.07.06

Written answer

It is often said that hindsight is 20-20, and we often see a better away after we have done or said something, which can easily fall into self-aversion. How do we prevent and let go of aversions coming from thoughts such as "you should have done it this way"?

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Ref: 2006.01.x.02.03

Written answer

Sometimes I find myself in problems trying to help someone else, but cannot give the help that is expected or even keep my own promise. What is best to do?

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Ref: 2008.01.x.02.06

Written answer

As I recall, Steve has stated that if Moral Shame and Moral Dread are perfected, it could be the same as being enlightened. Could you please explain how the perfection or development of these two things lead to the necessary eradication of all desires, aversions and ignorance of reality that is necessary for enlightenment?

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Ref: 2008.01.x.02.08

Written answer

Could you please talk about signs from our thoughts that we are off-balance with one of the Four Brahma Viharas? For example, when I have too many thoughts of, "Oh, there is so much Dukkha" and I'm having trouble wishing Lovingkindness, then is it a sign for me that I need more Sympathetic Joy to remember the way out, and maybe also Equanimity to bring more acceptance?

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Ref: 2008.01.x.06.05

Written answer

Can you please explain two Pali words, Metta and Karuna, their meanings and significance, as it seems other Buddhists seem to use Metta to only mean Lovingkindness? I'm confused.

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Ref: 2008.01.x.04.07

Written answer

Special Retreat Thailand January 2010

How important is Equanimity?

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Ref: 2010.01.x.13.05

Written answer

Special Retreat Thailand January 2010

For the forgiveness meditation, is it more skillful to include reflection on our Kamma at that time, followed by reflection on Equanimity?

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Ref: 2010.01.x.17.11

Written answer

Would you please tell the story of the Buddha's Enlightenment under the Bodhi tree? In particular about his battles with Mara, and how he overcame and became enlightened.

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Ref: 2003.01.x.05.13

Written answer

How can we help to strengthen awareness of the Four Noble Truths in our practice and our daily life, especially the third and the fourth one?

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Ref: 2003.01.x.08.12

Written answer

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2

Ref: 2003.01.x.09.02

Written answer

Can you please talk a bit more about Right View and Right Intention?

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Ref: 2003.01.x.03.08

Written answer

If you can think of any one personal anecdote or story from the teachings which has particularly inspired you to maintain your practice over the years, and which inspired you to begin your practice in the first place, I would love to hear it.

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1

Ref: 2003.01.x.09.01

Written answer

In the scriptures there is a long list of defilements, impurities, hindrances, roots, nuts, corruptions etc. Is it important to know them all, or can we note them when they are there or when they are absent?

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Ref: 2003.01.x.03.03

Written answer

Special Retreat Thailand January 2009

How does an understanding of the relationship between Compassion and Equanimity help me in my relationship with myself?

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Ref: 2009.01.x.02.02

Written answer

Special Retreat Thailand January 2009

What techniques do you advise for working with letting go of feelings of unworthiness, low self-esteem, self-hatred, feeling guilty, blaming oneself? Balancing these with good actions I know already.

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Ref: 2009.01.x.09.05

Written answer

Does the truthfulness in the Ten Paramis have the same meaning as honesty?

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Ref: 2011.07.x.06.03

Audio answer

Could you please talk about transforming difficult emotions?

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Ref: 2011.07.x.07.03

Audio answer

How can we know and find out that we suppress unpleasant emotions instead of working with them?

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Ref: 2011.07.x.06.04

Audio answer

Comments and suggestions can have the power to make us do and say things which can be either beneficial or not beneficial, could you please share any techniques you may have to help with understanding the cause and effect of the comments and suggestions that come to us.

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5

Ref: 2011.07.x.09.05

Audio answer

How can we grow more in energy, resolution and truthfulness?

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Ref: 2011.07.x.06.02

Audio answer

Can we use the Four Noble Truths as a formal meditation topic? If so do you have any suggestions on how to do it, particularly the 4th noble truth?

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Ref: 2011.07.x.03.01

Audio answer

Can you go over the Five Hindrances again, and give guidance on how to meditate, or not, on them.

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Ref: 2010.07.x.04.01

Written answer

Could you please talk more about how to develop the Four Unselfish Emotions and the role of the Brahma Viharas?

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5

Ref: 2010.07.x.09.05

Written answer

What are some things that I can do in my life to help my level of Equanimity to grow?

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Ref: 2010.07.x.06.07

Written answer

We often talk about wisdom. How do you define wisdom, say in contrast to intelligence? And how is there a way to deepen this wisdom?

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4

Ref: 2010.07.x.05.04

Written answer

Special Retreat Australia April 2003

Would you please explain Right View? Thanks.

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1

Ref: 2003.04.x.07.01

Written answer

Special Retreat Germany September 2006

How can we always understand what is appropriate and beneficial?

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5

Ref: 2006.09.x.09.05

Written answer

Special Retreat Germany September 2006

Can you talk some more about Compassion, please?

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2

Ref: 2006.09.x.06.02

Written answer

Special Retreat Germany September 2006

How to deal with fear of blame?

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4

Ref: 2006.09.x.06.04

Written answer

Special Retreat Thailand July 2005

How shall I handle the frequency of usage of all the techniques I was taught?

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Ref: 2005.07.x.08.11

Written answer

Special Retreat Thailand July 2005

Could you please explain the difference between Right View and Right Thought and how they work together?

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Ref: 2005.07.x.02.08

Written answer

Berlin QA September 2008

Is having acceptance of Dukkha the same as having Compassion?

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4

Ref: 2008.09.x.08.04

Written answer

Singapore QA January 2005

What personal benefits or changes in your life have you personally experienced from meditation?

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Ref: 2005.02.x.01.06

Written answer

Special Retreat Germany September 2009

How did you come to deep confidence in the Dhamma? Were there certain moments that strengthened your confidence in a special way or did it simply grow gradually?

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Ref: 2009.09.x.06.03

Written answer

To me, the goal of enlightenment is a bit abstract. How can we use it in a practical way in our daily practice? And, are there any enlightened people in the world, do you know any?

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Ref: 2004.09.x.03.03

Written answer

In the back of my mind is the idea that acceptance is an alibi not to act and that acting is the main purpose of life. So what is acceptance actually? How to find a balance between acceptance and the necessity to act?

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Ref: 2004.09.x.07.06

Written answer

I wonder why there are quite a few lists of beneficial qualities, Paramis, 7 Factors of Enlightenment, Brahma Viharas, 5 Spiritual Powers. Do you know why the Buddha created these and whether he preferred one of these to the others?

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Ref: 2004.09.x.05.12

Written answer

Often I feel your methods to develop Compassion and Lovingkindness are not appropriate, and instead of Compassion, I develop depression, aversion, fear and worry. What is that? What am I not able to?

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5

Ref: 2004.09.x.07.05

Written answer

How can we take blame, whether deserved or undeserved, and take it less personally?

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6

Ref: 2004.09.x.09.06

Written answer

Could you give an example about how to use the Four Noble Truths for reflection, for example when you are in sorrow?

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Ref: 2018.07.x.17.05

Audio answer

It is said that the whole teaching is included in the Four Noble Truths. Is it possible to figure out how to come from the Four Noble Truths to, let us say the Ten Paramis or the Brahma Viharas?

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Ref: 2018.07.x.11.14

Audio answer

How do we know that we have practiced in the right way?

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Ref: 2018.07.x.15.04

Audio answer

May you please speak more about the Energy Parami? I would not consider myself particularly energetic in the formal meditation, especially when I am falling asleep after time.

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Ref: 2018.07.x.16.05

Audio answer

Could you please talk about the Seven Factors of Enlightenment? How to develop them?

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Ref: 2018.07.x.15.07

Audio answer

When reading in the scriptures, how do you consider what is reliable and what superstition?

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Ref: 2018.07.x.12.03

Audio answer

What is ignorance? How does it manifest?

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Ref: 2018.07.x.12.08

Audio answer

What is meant by ignorance and craving?

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Ref: 2018.07.x.11.11

Audio answer

Could you please repeat the phrase you use in the Five Reflections concerning balancing Compassion and Equanimity and comment on it?

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Ref: 2018.07.x.16.09

Audio answer

What kind of ignorance are we typically not aware off? How to sharpen the awareness?

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Ref: 2018.07.x.13.20

Audio answer

What do you mean when you say to reflect that the eight worldly dhammas can block us from understanding reality, from seeing the three characteristics?

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Ref: 2018.07.x.18.04

Audio answer

Can you please talk about Wrong View, and give an example?

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Ref: 2007.07.x.03.01

Written answer

Can you talk about how we develop trust and faith in a teacher? What about in the teachings?

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Ref: 2007.07.x.06.15

Written answer

Please talk more about Mara, ignorance, and how to work with it in daily life.

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Ref: 2007.07.x.06.10

Written answer

Can you share your experience with observing nature as a means for understanding the Dhamma and the Four Noble Truths? You talked about watching a leaf fall bringing to mind impermanence. Are there some other reflections you could share?

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Ref: 2007.07.x.07.05

Written answer

How do you judge the level of practice of a student or another teacher or a non-Buddhist famous philosopher, etc.? Is it similar to the Kalama Sutta based on blaming and leading to harm and ill?

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Ref: 2007.07.x.09.07

Written answer

How to let go of attachment to the 8 worldly dhammas?

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Ref: 2007.09.x.04.04

Written answer

How can we find the balance between right thinking, speech and action, and wrong thinking, speech and action? How can we recognize if we have right or wrong thinking, speech and actions?

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Ref: 2007.09.x.04.07

Written answer

How can we get more lightness in our practice, our normal daily life when it feels heavy?

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Ref: 2007.09.x.07.04

Written answer

Can you talk more about Compassion as a motivating energy for activities beyond meditation, please? Work, sales specifically, household chores, etc.

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5

Ref: 2007.09.x.09.05

Written answer

Can you please talk more about the Noble Eightfold Path?

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Ref: 2007.09.x.09.10

Written answer

When and why did you decide to live a Buddhist life?

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4

Ref: 2007.09.x.09.04

Written answer

When some conflict arises between us and a friend or a close loved one, what are some ways to come through the conflict with our relationship remaining okay?

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Ref: 2009.07.x.06.02

Written answer

In the Sabbasava Sutta and in your latest newsletter, 7 ways of letting go and preventing anxieties and troubles are listed. They are insight, restraint, use, endurance, avoidance, dispersal and development. Could you please talk about one or more of these ways in letting go of our anxieties and troubles?

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Ref: 2009.07.x.04.06

Written answer

I have the "you should/should not" attitude. Can you help me with this?

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5

Ref: 2009.07.x.02.05

Written answer

Please talk one more time about the step from Right Understanding to Right Intention.

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Ref: 2009.07.x.09.07

Written answer

Special Retreat Thailand 1999-2000

What can I do if aversion arises against Compassion and Lovingkindness meditation?

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Ref: 2000.01.x.05.01

Written answer

Special Retreat Thailand 1999-2000

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.

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Ref: 2000.01.x.05.02

Written answer

Special Retreat Thailand 1999-2000

What is meant by the word "right" as it is used in the Noble Eightfold Path, in regard to "Right Understanding, Right Thought" etc.?

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Ref: 2000.01.x.04.06

Written answer

Special Retreat Thailand January 2005

How can we improve our Resolution?

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5

Ref: 2005.01.x.07.05

Written answer

Special Retreat Thailand January 2005

When we see what we perceive to be beautiful people and objects and desire and attachment arise. How can we reflect on this other than using Impermanence?

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Ref: 2005.01.x.04.03

Written answer

Special Retreat Thailand January 2005