Live from Birken: Dhamma Q&A with Ajahn Sona (01.07.2024)

Join us on Sunday as Ajahn Sona answers Dhamma questions from listeners around the world. Questions may be submitted during the live chat (opens ~8:00am day of stream) or in advance, here: bit.ly/LivestreamQnA
Ajahn Sona Podcast:
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Index of Questions
00:00 - INTRODUCTION
00:26 - DETERMINATION IN PRACTICE: You have often described how determined and uncompromising you were in your youth regarding practice. However, in your talks you often recommend a more relaxed approach. I am a young seeker with similar strict tendencies, putting forth enormous amounts of effort to overcome defilements, which is useful to a certain degree. Would you recommend that I lower my exertion? What would you recommend to your younger self? It seems like the Buddha himself encouraged a take-no-prisoners approach to Dhamma practice.
06:57 - LIFE IS THE GAME THAT MUST BE PLAYED: Ajahn plugs a video he made a couple of years ago...he uses a real life story as a Dhamma jumping off point to illustrate the existential dilemma that we all face.
10:10 - BUDDHIST TEACHINGS VS. SCIENCE: Out of the five hindrances, doubt seems to be the most severe one because it blocks us from stream entry. I have no trouble believing the Buddha regarding rebirth, the law of kamma or the five realms of existence. But I really struggle hard when reading the Agganna Sutta. Taking the Buddha seriously I must reject the theory of evolution. A theory which I find to be quite compelling and plausible. Any advice on how to deal with that?
19:52 - BREATH MEDITATION: I sometimes practice slowing down my breathing to 2 long breaths per minute by accepting the dukkha caused by slowing the breath. This quickly calms the mind, but I'm worried that the ego may stop breathing by overcoming dukkha. Is it possible for life faculty to be harmed or be broken by this practice?
27:13 - HUMAN REBIRTH VS REBIRTH IN HIGHER REALMS: I'm curious about how the jhanas affect one's karma and rebirth. It is said that a human life is favorable for practice, since it's easy to get lost in the pleasures of the higher realms - only to fall down sooner or later. But if you are a sotapanna, then is there any danger in taking rebirth in higher realms?
35:15 - ADDICTIONS: I’m wondering how long I should extend a helping hand to my son who is struggling with addiction. Sometimes he falls back into his old ways.
39:19 - "LISTS" IN THE BUDDHA'S TEACHING: Regarding AN 7.71 Bhāvanāsutta: Committed to Development, what are the four kinds of mindfulness meditation, the four bases of psychic power, & the five faculties?
42:03 - ANIMALS AT THE MONASTERY: My question is: do you allow dogs? What are the specifications? I have written a list of 108 reasons why I should be able to have my dog in the Zendo here… so I’m just looking for inspiration.
46:15 - WESTERN MONKS VS THAI FOREST MASTERS: The great Thai forest masters were mostly very unorthodox in their views (citta outside the khandas etc.), yet when they speak about the Dhamma, there is a strong flavour of direct realization and deepest insights. Western monks are mostly very orthodox in their views, but their knowledge seems way more theoretical and somewhat lacking in authenticity. What do you make of this paradox?
55:36 - LACK OF DESIRE FOR THE WORLD: I have no desire to work for worldly gains any more. Am I lazy? How do I remove the stain of laziness and continue being of service to the world and self ?