Sex and Booze | Ajahn Brahm | 01-07-2011

[@Kira-zi6ei]

Thank you for another brilliant talk. Let me share my story with anyone who is interested. I have never been drunk in my whole life and I'm nearly 50 years "young" now :-) The reason I decided not to take any alcohol at a very early age was that I saw the "bottle ghost" too many times as a child. I never regretted my choice for a second and I have never encountered any negative feedback or not being invited to parties. I've been to parties where I got so silly with the others that they didn't want to believe I hadn't had any alcohol in my blood and there were parties that I didn't enjoy so I just left. I still didn't lose anything because what's the point in staying at a terrible party drunk or sober? Also, when people offer me alcohol and tell them "thank you but I never drink alcohol" - they totally leave me alone and never try again but still handle me like anyone else. :-)

[@alwayschanging5821]

I always had weed instead. But then again I was raised by an alcoholic so that's probably why I personally never liked alcohol. Congrats friend.

[@leavesofdecember]

I love this! Treating inhibitions and other negative aspects with some love, kindness and forgiveness. This is truly the only purpose spiritual and religous leaders should have, that of reminding us of inherent problems and how to disolve them with kindness toward each other and ourselves, rather than treating symptoms with unnecessary medication, or plain alkohol. Obviously this message doesn't apply to a broken leg, but for most modern people who are too busy to even live, we should constantly be reminded of these least invasive and yet most accurate ways to heal ourselves and others, and not politics and philosophies that so many of us can't possibly have the time to contemplate upon. It is so beautiful to see such a clear message being delivered with such love and grace.

[@marinahiebert6509]

thank you for the note on screen. appreciate the completion of his talk.

[@evee9020]

I'm thankful for this wise counsel, his holiness Ajahn Brahm. If we have access to these talks it is some very beautiful karma . Stay blessed🙏.

[@TheAnimationProjects]

Im 18 years old and I find is very hard to stay sober. It feels like im constantly at a crossroads with one path being intoxication and peer pressure and the other being moderation and restraint. All around me people are consistently talking about drugs and alcohol, at my age people never get bored of it. Being sober has become a real point of struggle for me, as I am not someone that likes to be singled out.

[@guyneo]

I am so happy with this clip. There are so many wonderful insights. Thank you very much.

[@FontediCalore]

I am in Italy, over here I can get genuine wine which tastes like the nectar of gods for about $1 a litre and drinking it while eating the equally beautiful food, is pure nirvana. I don't drive, I don't over drink, I don't make a fool of myself. The only problem I have with enjoying this wine is it makes me fat, same as bread. And I don't find it easy not to enjoy wine or bread.

[@petestrat07]

I agree that alcohol is useless. Psychedelics such as the sacred mushroom AKA "magic mushroom" has the potential to allow somebody to shake off their cultural opperating system and really start questioning reality and what it means to exist. There's so many aspect to Buddhism that I agree with however some people cannot meditate using a disiplined approach. I cant understand why Buddhist would ignore the power of the mushroom.

[@ProMachus6]

Thank you! Loved it. I love your style of teaching. It's wonderful. Thank you so much.

[@fitzy4144]

I was wondering why it took so long for this one to go up. Thanks!

[@ravenheartwraith]

@bobmondo well that's their thing.. the Buddhist perspective teaches that being fully mindful and seeing the world as it really is is the goal, not being intoxicated. We are actually ALREADY intoxicated by sensual contact and craving.

[@Thitadhammo]

Very right. That needs to be said. The direct fifth precept is a good way to start but eventually we'll have to break through all intoxication, let go of it.

[@Inglesao]

Thank you, Ajahn Brahm!

[@Womberto]

The phrase Dutch Courage is a British saying used because sailors in the Dutch Navy used to get sloshed before going into battle.

[@3506Dodge]

The first drink of wine I ever had was DELICIOUS. I loved it immediately, though I don't drink often today.

[@girlperson1]

I have no problem keeping the five precepts. Easy peasy,

[@Cheballer87]

Great speech as always. But you should totally do a whole video on anxiety it self. That is what makes people want to drink in the first place! So can relax and feel confident.

[@koulakremastioti8314]

Dear Ajahn Brahm thank you for this brilliant talk. There is something I don't understand about the first precept refering to not killing. Does it include animals or not? Because the consumption of any animal product i.e. eggs dairy, and not just meat means that we people directly or indirectly contribute to the killing of animals. I always thought the precept of non violence, not killing in buddhism included all sentient beings and that's why although I was raised as an orthodox christian in a very traditional country like Greece, in my heart I felt more a Buddhist. I understand by experience that you cannot coerce anybody to follow you way, the only thing you can do is just share information, but at the same time the crime we commit towards these other species has taken unimaginable proportions. Could you please make a video on that. Thank you.

[@jackcarterog001]

Koula Kremastioti I think you have to pay him money for him to respond to you

[@poonamsvideoblogs]

Koula Kremastioti There are so many videos. He might not ever get back to any of them. Maybe someone else might answer your question.

[@koulakremastioti8314]

not my real name thank you for this comment.

[@koulakremastioti8314]

Most vegans don't eat honey. But bees are a special case because they function as a team and not as a single individual. I know that because I have a beekeeper in my family. I've worked with him in the past and because he loves bees I've seen him put his hands without protection into the beehive and not get stung. I agree with you that if people collected honey in the ancient traditional way as your describe it of course it would be better. But in Europe and Usa the pollution of the environment is such that beekeepers have to treat bees with medication otherwise they are threatened with extinction. However my problem is not with honey production but with the useless slaughter of millions of land and marine animals everyday for human consumption. Which is unnecassary and cruel and I think is far far worse than any holocaust of any human war. The ancient Greek mathematician and philosopher Pythagoras said "As long as man continues to be the ruthless destroyer of "lower" living beings he will never know health and peace. For as long as men massacre animals they will kill each other".

[@beblessed1030]

hi

[@triple834]

@nicepandas I remember reading somewhere in the Tipitaka that a former Buddha (was it Kassapa?) was asked by an ascetic if he ate meat, the Pâli word for "meat" incidentally also meaning "that which is unclean". He said he didn't, but when that ascetic later found out he DID eat meat, he accused the Buddha of lying. That was when the Buddha explained that he really did not eat what's unclean, that is, unskillful qualities of the mind. It's all a matter of intention, not interpretation.

[@TheNomadSoul1988]

@bhowden83 Hello, I think that what AB said about people saying things like "Well I drink because I lose my shyness, I take risks and have more fun" and how there are other ways to overcome those limitations (meditation techniques etc) also applies to your question. I lived in Holland for 11 years and I'm a Java developer so I get what you're saying. You can gain a lot more control over your mind and empower it more without drugs than with. You can't know this until you find out for yourself.

[@bobmondo]

@JrDiNisi What about if I am taking the substances to become enightened? Many cultures and peoples have and still do use certain plants and substances to gain insights/knowledge.

[@henryssun1139]

I love mindfulness and agree in general, but seriously. There are experiences that you can't experience without substances, and I've met so many people, girlfriends and had so much fun with it. I am not even close to being an alcoholic and I really LIKE to loose control once in a while and not being mindful all the time. Enjoy life!

[@TheNomadSoul1988]

@Ashitanoyuki You're climbing a big mountain. You're already a way up the trail, you catch a glimpse of the summit and realise you're not going to make it there that day. So do you stop walking or keep going enjoying the ups and down that punctuate your journey?

[@carolebell9667]

Love the monks talks.

[@malfinzhang]

can anyone give the indonesia translate that can help so many people

[@DavidDavid-ie1zl]

the mind itself can make its own mind altering substance, It does not need booze to alter its self.

[@uauat]

I like the joke on how the man got into wrong police car due to intoxication hahaha..love Ajahn Brahm jokes.

[@shaneluke346]

I loved the joke about the drunk man who pinched a Police Car and drove it home only for the Police to find it in HIS garage posted from the UK

[@gks12]

@shiftplusone80 if buddhism is about awareness then i think you should be especially aware while doing something that might cause harmful consequences to you or others. Driving intoxicated not only disrupts your perception but also creates problems with the trust between you and your society (and the Law). The 'doctor's orders' response is not that misleading. Every doctor claims that alcohol is harmful to your body. It's more about intentions not to hurt the feelings of the host.

[@TheNomadSoul1988]

@bobmondo That's true. I've used mushrooms amongst other natural drugs for years to gain insights and experience the so called "satori enlightenment". But, and this may be different for others, I never feel like I can trust those experiences 100%. It feels like I've taken the book of knowledge and skipped ahead to read the last chapter. I understand what it says, but not fully, not as much as if I would have continued reading naturally and then understood what is written within context.

[@alwayschanging5821]

Psychedelics are like looking into a window without a key to unlock it. Meditation is the key we need to unlock this window and crawl through. Psychedelics will never awaken you, they will only give you a glimpse. I once heard a story of a yogi who was given mushrooms to try and 3 hours later he asked, "when are they supposed to kick in?" You do not need these plants to awaken. They can assist you but to truly awaken, you must do it yourself.

[@vata17a]

''like a wild dog with a soar throat'' hilarious!

[@pureturk02]

Who's cutting onions in my room 😢

[@lynkent677]

Drinking/Sex/Drugs.....its an Addiction.....We need to find what is our addiction and why we want to feed our addiction....Its deeper then just wanting a drink/wanting to get out of our heads more then the drink does.....

[@toycarlvr]

Okay...I know I'm a 'bad' Buddhist. I love booze...but I am 'still' a kind person. :-)

[@alwayschanging5821]

You are not a bad Buddhist for drinking alcohol. If you are a lay person, then go ahead and drink if you want to do. There is no such thing as a bad Buddhist. We all are doing our best here whether we know it or not. The most important thing is to not be attached and cause suffering for yourself and others

[@robertw2930]

How about a tiny bit of alcohol from fermented foods and soy sauce ?

[@KevinLopez-rl6wq]

well, are you going to get drunk from that?

[@MrGunwitch]

@TheNomadSoul1988 A beautiful simile my friend, thanks :)

[@booneeslimm4600]

I LIKE THIS FELLOW'S WAYS. COOOL.

[@3506Dodge]

I can buy decent wine in the U..S. state of Ohio for $7 for a two liter box. It tastes delicious and isn't expensive. those aren't reasons not to drink. There are other much better reasons not to drink.

[@ROGERWDARCY]

What did the Buddha say about rebirth as a squirrel?

[@kristisamoska3493]

I find it weird that he plays with his toes the whole talk . strange!​

[@alwayschanging5821]

This might be a wierd thing to say but it is probably grounding for him. With all the meditation monks do, they are bound to need some sort of grounding sometimes. They cant be floating around in the void all the time

[@marillavanbeuren8572]

Your observation seems a but "strange" especially in light of the high quality of this talk.@@alwayschanging5821

[@RickTheScientist]

"once you have religion and money gets involved terrible terrible things happen..." I guess making people pay to use the forums on the Buddhist Society of Western Australia's website (www.dhammaloka.org.au/) is ok though?

[@woo081]

When I take certain party drugs my senses are increased and the music sounds better but my mind may be a little cloudy the day after :P

[@riteshshaw8582]

Sadhu Sadhu SADHUUUUUUUUUU ❤️

[@ROGERWDARCY]

Can one get out of rebirth of a squirrel or even reach as a squirrel?

[@rweerakkody4565]

No. Animals dont have the mental capacity to understand Dhamma. Only humans. The pali for human is manussa, mana + ussa, mana means 'mind' - manussa is one who can understand. That is why a Buddha only comes from the human realm, not even from the Deva realm.

[@BarbarraBay]

Very good (correct) answer.

[@NetITGeeks]

Thank you so much.

[@ravenheartwraith]

@bobmondo well then that is their belief and knowledge, not Buddhism, why the need to compare?

[@fntime]

First glass of beer disgusting? For me the sky's opened and the choir, a million choirs, sang. (lol) The problem with alcohol is that it becomes a 'crutch' that paves over horrible feelings. The horrible feelings must be faced and addressed. Pot is the same problem. Actually all OC is the same. But, for me periodic Dioyneisan 'dances', going out of my mind' makes the discipline and self control that is necessary easier. Not a fan of intoxication, not a fan of self control, I'm a fan of life :)~

[@1lovey1global48]

Technical glitch= |bottleghost|

[@ROGERWDARCY]

What about the Rabbits !

[@bobmondo]

I disagree with where he says not to do drugs to intoxicate the mind but medicinal drugs are ok. well, many medicinal drugs intoxicate the mind and body fr more than so called recreational drugs. furthermore, who decides what is a medicinal drug and what is not for many people cnnabis is medicinal as are many other natural plants.

[@kevmoc8437]

Wayne Pockers it is less about if the drugs are legal or illegal but more about the intention with which the drugs are consumed. Is it to have fun or because you are sick

[@Shaghayegh11]

change your group of friends? There are plenty of people who won't pressure you into drinking! It's easier said than done! But 18 is way too young for you to be pressured into that kind of living. Change your environment slowly.

[@JCSuperstar777]

A bit too much moralising, without appreciation for Moderation.

[@michaelclarke701]

+Jonas Cope and understanding that what goes up must come down, your mood included! :P

[@DennisBastian]

if you cant answer that question yourself then probably yes...

[@martrix82]

@LVB1770 hahahahaha

[@1001orpheus]

Sex, Drugs and Buddhism! Not.

[@alexanderjaudas8318]

funny guy