Mara

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 61 entries in this list.

Source / Teacher
Day
Index
Question
Special Retreat Thailand July 2001
Steve
4
7
What does it mean to respect Mara?
Ref: 2001.07.x.04.07
Written answer
Special Retreat Germany September 2005
Steve
8
10
Can you, please, talk about complacency?
Ref: 2005.09.x.08.10
Written answer
Special Retreat Germany September 2005
Steve
8
2
Can you please talk about ignorance?
Ref: 2005.09.x.08.02
Written answer
Special Retreat Germany September 2014
Rosemary
13
10
A lot of the Buddhist statues show the enlightened one touching the ground with one hand, what does that symbolize?
Ref: 2014.09.x.13.10
Audio answer
Special Retreat Germany September 2014
Steve
14
13
How can I recognize ignorance/Mara better in a busy daily life?
Ref: 2014.09.x.14.13
Audio answer
Special Retreat Germany September 2014
Steve
12
11
What are the possible reasons for resistance against feeling Compassion? And how can I handle this resistance if I can't feel?
Ref: 2014.09.x.12.11
Audio answer
Special Retreat Germany September 2014
Steve
14
11
Can the battle against Mara be won by developing Compassion for Mara? What is the right way to deal with Mara? Fighting against or developing Compassion for him or her?
Ref: 2014.09.x.14.11
Audio answer
Special Retreat Germany September 2010
Steve
5
6
Could you please talk about Mara and how it could be useful to see challenges in our daily life as Mara.
Ref: 2010.09.x.05.06
Written answer
Special Retreat Germany July 2017
Rosemary
15
8
Are Mara and Ego the same?
Ref: 2017.07.x.15.08
Audio answer
- Ego
- Boat
- Mara
Special Retreat Germany July 2017
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
- Mara
- Dukkha
Special Retreat Germany July 2017
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
Special Retreat Germany July 2017
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
Special Retreat Germany July 2017
Steve
12
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
Special Retreat Germany July 2015
Steve
12
13
What prevents the effort to prevent? How do we prevent this?
Ref: 2015.07.x.12.13
Audio answer
Special Retreat Germany July 2015
Steve
14
11
Why does the mind need so much distraction?
Ref: 2015.07.x.14.11
Audio answer
Special Retreat Thailand January 2006
Steve
3
4
Can there be right understanding and yet wrong action? For example: I understand that eating French fries after a meal is just an indulgence, and yet I still do it after struggling with the idea for some time. Or, many people understand that smoking is bad and yet they still do it. What kind of understanding is that? Intellectual understanding, or it may be it also has to do with intentions and mindfulness?
Ref: 2006.01.x.03.04
Written answer
Special Retreat Thailand January 2006
Rosemary
9
2
What is the difference between Ego and Mara?
Ref: 2006.01.x.09.02
Written answer
- Ego
- Mara
Special Retreat Thailand January 2006
Steve
5
12
Could you please tell us the story of the man wanting to learn fencing as an analogy to learn to always be on the guard for paper tigers?
Ref: 2006.01.x.05.12
Written answer
Special Retreat Thailand January 2006
Rosemary
7
9
Can you explain Mara a bit more? If one has desire and cannot resist it, is that called Mara?
Ref: 2006.01.x.07.09
Written answer
- Desire
- Mara
Special Retreat Thailand January 2008
Rosemary
9
1
Can you talk about the difference between pleasure that comes from the worldly dhammas, the Joy factor of enlightenment, and pleasure as the ending of Dukkha?
Ref: 2008.01.x.09.01
Written answer
Special Retreat Thailand January 2010
Steve
12
8
Is Mara male or female?
Ref: 2010.01.x.12.08
Written answer
- Ignorance
- Mara
Special Retreat Thailand January 2003
Rosemary
6
1
The second part of the question that Steve didn't get to finish yesterday: "Could you also talk about how Mara manifests in our own practice and how to raise our awareness of his tricks?"
Ref: 2003.01.x.06.01
Written answer
Special Retreat Thailand January 2003
Steve
5
13
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.
Ref: 2003.01.x.05.13
Written answer
Special Retreat Thailand January 2003
Rosemary
6
6
I reflect on death often and have seen others dying. I know death will happen, but I don't honestly believe that I will die. Is complete and honest acceptance of death for the enlightened?
Ref: 2003.01.x.06.06
Written answer
Special Retreat Thailand January 2009
Steve
3
1
By strengthening the "how fortunate I am" reflection we let go of self-pity. What would be the result or having little or even no self-pity.
Ref: 2009.01.x.03.01
Written answer
Special Retreat Thailand January 2009
Steve
8
9
Do you have any advice for long-term travels?
Ref: 2009.01.x.08.09
Written answer
Special Retreat Thailand January 2009
Rosemary
6
3
Last night's sleep was full of dreams, some pleasant, some unpleasant, some potentially embarrassing if I happen to talk in my sleep, some almost mindful feeling my body moving in a dream. Then I awoke and thought of Mara. Could you please discuss dreams and how they relate to the practice. Do unbeneficial thoughts, speech and actions in dreams affect Kamma?
Ref: 2009.01.x.06.03
Written answer
Special Retreat Thailand January 2009
Steve
3
2
Doubt seems to be a frequently occurring hindrance for me. Now I find it creeping in to my practice, after feeling my practice steadily improved. Is it common to fall into doubt with the practice? When this happens what do you suggest to help understand and overcome the doubt?
Ref: 2009.01.x.03.02
Written answer
Special Retreat Thailand January 2009
Steve
8
1
How can we learn to be more truthful to ourselves?
Ref: 2009.01.x.08.01
Written answer
Special Retreat Thailand July 2011
Steve
3
6
Would you please discuss more about the personification of our ignorance as Mara. Why this is beneficial for example with self-hatred etc. and if there are any dangers to our practice from this practice.
Ref: 2011.07.x.03.06
Audio answer
Special Retreat Australia April 2003
Steve
5
1
Please can you expand on how to notice and counteract spiritual complacency?
Ref: 2003.04.x.05.01
Written answer
Special Retreat Australia April 2003
Rosemary
9
4
Why do I spend so much time on negativity, when I am in charge, choosing. Why do I not always choose more uplifting subjects to think about?
Ref: 2003.04.x.09.04
Written answer
- Ignorance
- Mara
Special Retreat Germany July 2019
Steve
18
13
What is meant by a saying: "Speak softly, but carry a big stick"?
Ref: 2019.07.x.18.13
Audio answer
Special Retreat Germany July 2019
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
Special Retreat Germany July 2019
Steve
18
14
How does being courageous and being gentle go together?
Ref: 2019.07.x.18.14
Audio answer
Special Retreat Germany July 2019
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
Special Retreat Germany September 2006
Steve
4
3
Can you please talk about ignorance?
Ref: 2006.09.x.04.03
Written answer
Special Retreat Germany September 2006
Steve
8
5
If I am imprisoned or captured within Mara, how can I come out of this? It is difficult when I think I am part of Mara, because of wrong view.
Ref: 2006.09.x.08.05
Written answer
Special Retreat Germany September 2006
Steve
8
1
How to recognize Mara in daily life?
Ref: 2006.09.x.08.01
Written answer
Special Retreat Thailand July 2005
Steve
3
6
Courage seems quite essential to walk the path. Can you please say something about courage and how we can cultivate it?
Ref: 2005.07.x.03.06
Written answer
Special Retreat Germany September 2009
Rosemary
9
1
Would you explain Mara, please?
Ref: 2009.09.x.09.01
Written answer
- Ignorance
- Mara
Special Retreat Germany July 2018
Steve
14
11
One subject of morality is: "Do not lie", what is the reason that there is another Parami truthfulness as well? What is the difference between these two?
Ref: 2018.07.x.14.11
Audio answer
Special Retreat Thailand July 2007
Steve
4
1
Mara's many mirrors. It can be difficult to know whether we are really practicing non-attachment, and therefore following the Buddha's teachings, or just selfishly following our own wishes, without care for how others may feel about our actions/speech. The non-caring attitude being justified as "practicing correctly". Can you guide us through this web of good intention, ignorance and conceit? Please mention how selfishness and indifference can be avoided while Saddha can be increased, while maintaining a good Dhamma practice, especially important with our close Kalyanamittas.
Ref: 2007.07.x.04.01
Written answer
Special Retreat Thailand July 2007
Rosemary
6
7
I suffer from an almost continuous inner critical voice which raises doubts and insecurity. Would this inner critic be one of Mara's many mirrors? I know it's a big one, but any tips on how to clarify the personification of Mara here and work on disarming the critic's negative force? It's so draining!
Ref: 2007.07.x.06.07
Written answer
Special Retreat Thailand July 2007
Steve
4
2
Could you please talk a bit about the relationship between contentment and restlessness? It seems like when I feel content, there's less restlessness in my life, and when I feel restless, there's often little contentment.
Ref: 2007.07.x.04.02
Written answer
Special Retreat Thailand July 2007
Steve
3
2
How Mara's many mirrors distort reality. Why is it so difficult just to see things as they are? A leaf as a leaf? A person as a fellow human being caught up in Samara? Is it because we are always looking for hidden meanings, a secret truth? In other words, not satisfied with bare reality; denying it, not wishing to acknowledge that Dukkha simply exists?
Ref: 2007.07.x.03.02
Written answer
Special Retreat Thailand July 2007
Steve
4
6
If we have a particular unbeneficial attachment or aversion, how do you recommend approaching it in the practice? Is it better to work with it off and on, or to put it under "siege", attack it, with lots of reflecting on it?
Ref: 2007.07.x.04.06
Written answer
Special Retreat Thailand July 2007
Steve
8
1
Failure seems to be central to our self-doubt/insecurities and negative self-images, and yet it is through failure and making mistakes that we are able to learn and grow. Can you talk more about having a balanced view of our past failures?
Ref: 2007.07.x.08.01
Written answer
Special Retreat Thailand July 2007
Rosemary
6
10
Please talk more about Mara, ignorance, and how to work with it in daily life.
Ref: 2007.07.x.06.10
Written answer
Special Retreat Thailand July 2007
Steve
5
8
How does respect help counteract negative qualities such as anger and greed? How do we cultivate respect?
Ref: 2007.07.x.05.08
Written answer
Special Retreat Thailand July 2007
Steve
8
7
Please suggest ways to work with aversion towards the non-verbal attitude of another person? e.g., on the walking track, a person is restless, agitated and unconcentrated. I wish them Compassionate/Lovingkindness, however their behavior continues. I then start to feel restless, too, then aversion, and a whole hindrance attack ensues. I also notice this problem with people who have controlling personalities.
Ref: 2007.07.x.08.07
Written answer
Special Retreat Germany September 2007
Rosemary
7
3
Please talk about Mara and how to deal with it/her/him. Should we talk with him/her, how should we talk with him/her, or should we only do mental noting?
Ref: 2007.09.x.07.03
Written answer
Special Retreat Germany September 2007
Rosemary
9
2
Can you please explain what or who Mara is?
Ref: 2007.09.x.09.02
Written answer
- Ignorance
- Mara
Special Retreat Germany September 2007
Steve
8
7
Why is Mara so hard to defeat? How to recognize Mara?
Ref: 2007.09.x.08.07
Written answer
Special Retreat Thailand July 2009
Steve
5
3
How can we spark reflection when the mind is resisting doing anything?
Ref: 2009.07.x.05.03
Written answer
Special Retreat Thailand July 2009
Steve
4
1
When investigating into intentions behind actions, it sometimes seems there are layers. One intention hidden behind another. Maybe I am creating more than there is. How are we sure what our intentions truly are?
Ref: 2009.07.x.04.01
Written answer
Special Retreat Thailand January 2005
Steve
4
18
Could you talk about Mara please.
Ref: 2005.01.x.04.18
Written answer
- Ignorance
- Mara
Special Retreat Thailand January 2005
Steve
5
4
What is the best way to increase our energy and strength when we feel that Mara is getting too strong for us?
Ref: 2005.01.x.05.04
Written answer
Special Retreat Thailand January 2005
Rosemary
6
11
My partner and I were working in the West. He is a teacher. One day we talked about one of his female students (who is married), and during that conversation I had the thought, "I could be jealous now". I saw the pain of jealousy moving quickly into my heart. Our relationship is very good and I know that I have no reasons for fear here and I was able to balance this jealousy immediately. It felt like my mind was reaching out for some entertainment. Could you please talk about this reaching out?
Ref: 2005.01.x.06.11
Written answer
Special Retreat Thailand January 2004
Rosemary
6
5
If we hold to The Middle Way, is it not important to really enjoy the pleasures of life, such as delicious food, as long as we don't think enjoyment is the meaning of life?
Ref: 2004.01.x.06.05
Written answer
Special Retreat Thailand January 2004
Rosemary
7
6
My reaction to intensive meditation retreats is my body goes bananas, giving me more discomfort than need be and my mind goes stupid. Does this happen to other people?
Ref: 2004.01.x.07.06
Written answer
- Mara
- Reaction