The Four Brahmaviharas
5 May 2026 Venerable Ananda joins the Armadale Meditation Group online live. Armadale Meditation Group (AMG) teaches you about meditation. The classes generally begin with chanting the Metta Sutta, meditation instructions, meditating together, asking questions, and, if time allows, a Dhamma talk. These weekly Tuesday night teachings are via Zoom from Bodhinyana or Dhammasara Monastery. For the AMG zoom link and more details: https://bswa.org/location/armadale-meditation-group/ Support us on: https://ko-fi.com/thebuddhistsocietyofwa BSWA teachings are available: BSWA Teachings BSWA Podcast Channel BSWA DeeperDhamma Podbean Channel BSWA YouTube
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Key passages
The teacher's own words, quoted from the transcript below and chosen automatically as representative.
- 0:36
This is what should be done By one who will skill in goodness And who knows the path of peace Let them be able and upright Straightforward and gentle in speech, humble and not conceited, contented and easily satisfied, not busy with duties and frugal in their ways. Peaceful and calm and wise and skillful, not proud or demanding in nature.
- 1:49
May all beings be happy, whatever living beings there may be, whether they are weak or strong, omitting none, the great or the mighty, medium, short or small, the seen and the unseen. Those living near and far away, those born and to be born, may all beings be happy.
- 11:46
And you have three more, which you can utilize, okay? And then the second part is compassion, which is karuṇā. So we have a nun named Karunika. So I guess she's an expert in karuṇā. So if she has a chance to come over here, just please ask her about karuṇā. So compassion is also one of the great things. It also opens up your heart.
- 15:36
Third one is gratitude, which I think is Achala's favorite. If I'm not mistaken. The lazy man's practice. So murita is actually, people call it like the great, you know, I just, I prefer gratitude. For other people. I think I prefer like, you know, like seeing other people's good qualities, which is also excellent. But yeah, gratitude is also the one that I practice a lot, which is buddhita.
- 18:14
Actually, the fourth one is actually also another favorite. Ajahn Brahm called it contentment. Other people call it equanimity, pekka. But it doesn't have that grab for Ajahn Brahm. He prefers calling it contentment, which I think it's correct though. Because contentment, he likes to use the motto, it's good enough. Just wanting to be here. Just being content to be here. You know, all the things are going on. Just imagine right now, maybe you have butterflies.
Transcript
0:00 All right, as usual, get yourself comfortable, everyone, okay? And then just take your time, take it easy. And this is just between families, and there are only 25 people of us. But just imagine just by yourself, in your own mind, okay? Your beautiful, beautiful mind, okay? Okay, so we're going to do the Mettā Sutta right now, the Buddha's words on loving kindness. Report an error in the passage at 0:00
0:23 So if you know the words, please join in. And then you can see the words on your screen, okay? Or if you wish, you can just keep your eyes closed and just enjoy the vibe, okay? Report an error in the passage at 0:23
0:36 This is what should be done By one who will skill in goodness And who knows the path of peace Let them be able and upright Report an error in the passage at 0:36
0:55 Straightforward and gentle in speech, humble and not conceited, contented and easily satisfied, not busy with duties and frugal in their ways. Peaceful and calm and wise and skillful, not proud or demanding in nature. Let them not do the slightest thing that the wise will later reprove. Wishing in gladness and in safety. Report an error in the passage at 0:55
1:49 May all beings be happy, whatever living beings there may be, whether they are weak or strong, omitting none, the great or the mighty, medium, short or small, the seen and the unseen. Report an error in the passage at 1:49
2:19 Those living near and far away, those born and to be born, may all beings be happy. Let none deceive another or despise any being in any state. Let none through anger or ill will Wish harm upon another even as a mother protects with her life her child, her only child. So with a boundless heart should one cherish all living beings radiating kindness. Report an error in the passage at 2:19
3:19 Over the entire world Spreading upwards to the skies And downwards to the depths Outwards and unbounded Free from hatred and ill will Whether standing or walking Seated or lying down Report an error in the passage at 3:19
3:47 Free from drowsiness, one should sustain this recollection. This is said to be the sublime abiding by not holdings to fix false views. The pure-hearted one having clarity of vision. Report an error in the passage at 3:47
4:14 being free from all sense desires is now born again into this world sadhu sadhu I Report an error in the passage at 4:14
4:39 hope all of you guys have that nice feeling from that happiness that mettā sutta it's really nice especially that line I just Never really focused, but wishing in gladness and in safety. May all beings be happy. And that's, I guess, that's what we meditate here for, I think, right? Report an error in the passage at 4:39
4:59 Anyway, Gloria, do you want anything you have in mind for me to talk? Because since you're heading out somewhere. Anything that you want to suggest? Anyone? If no, maybe we go with the full Brahmavihāras. Oh, that's what I was going to talk about. Oh, how did you know? Okay. Okay. That's great. Okay, thank you, Gloria, for that idea, because that's what I had in mind. Because I was just wondering, because, you know, I've been in this monastic life, I guess it's not too long compared to Ajahn Brahm. Report an error in the passage at 4:59
5:34 Ajahn Brahm has been around since 1974, so that's like 52 years as a monk. I think December is going to be his 52 wasa. So imagine that, you know. So 52 years as a monk, you know, we don't have any access to... The pleasures that you guys have, you know, the money, the sense pleasures, and then you can just go here, go there, whatever you feel like it. You know, I jump around right now, it's in Melbourne, you know, just doing some service. Report an error in the passage at 5:34
6:02 I don't know, so many service, just keep talking to people, you know, dozens of people, hundreds of people. So how does he keep, how does he do it, you know, 52 years, and he's not even close to retiring. That's the cool part. So he's 75. And I'm about 30 years younger, and I feel tired just watching him, you know, just doing all this stuff. And then it's like, he can still just relax. So we here come to the Amudala group. Report an error in the passage at 6:02
6:29 So sorry, guys. So he's been so busy. So it's basically us just junior monks, you know. So I hope it's okay with you guys. But you guys can catch up with Ajahn Brahm over at Nolamara. So hopefully it's okay, okay? And then, you know, you can get a taste of our junior monks. And our Venerable Sunyo is, you know, he's kind of leaving soon. Report an error in the passage at 6:29
6:46 And he's heading to... What do you call it anyway? Margaret River. So anyone if he goes from Margaret River area, Bambi, so please to come over to our new, I guess it's a new monastery or whatever, hermitage. So yeah, check him out. And then yeah, he's also one of those great kind of monastic friends. So we have Ajahn Brahm, we got Sunyo, and then also I think one of you, probably if you guys have been staying here, probably Nibutu as well, Ajahn Nibutu. Report an error in the passage at 6:46
7:16 He takes care of great... you know the monks and then also the lay people comes here as a guest monk as um yeah pretty much i'm always thankful for Ajahn Libuto for being a great friend so it makes actually makes my life easier so basically if it's not there i have to do his job so it's great to share jobs with him so yeah another great thing so that's one of another brahmavihāras we can talk about which is gratitude gratitude is like mudito i think Venerable Achala talk about muditā as the laziest man practice, but I'll show you there's even a lazier way, which is actually contentment. Report an error in the passage at 7:16
7:59 Contentment is a really, really nice one as well. Okay, so first thing first, the Brahmavihāra. The first one is called mettā. So mettā is the one that Ajahn Brahm like to focus on. So Ajahn Brahm like to say like... Why is meditation so difficult? It's always so easy for him, you know. So all he does is just basically kindness and mindfulness. Report an error in the passage at 7:59
8:23 He has a new term. He's always great, you know, calling new terms and then just make it really catchy for the, you know, for you guys. So you guys can remember. And he called it kindfulness. So basically kindness and mindfulness. And that's about it. You don't need anything else. So why is it, why you keep coming to Armadale Group? Report an error in the passage at 8:23
8:43 And then you keep forgetting it, that kindness part. I just realized though in this, I just had the meditation retreat two weeks, for two weeks, you know, just ending about four days ago. And then the Buddha said, okay, you want to do Amida group? I said, okay, go ahead. That's what I did. So that's why I recollect. Why is it so difficult just to meditate, just be still and just relax? Report an error in the passage at 8:43
9:08 It's basically missing that, a bit of that one of the Brahmavihāras. The Brahmavihāra is actually the secret of meditation. I always like to say, you know, like opening up your heart. This is my gesture, I guess. Ajahn Brahm is opening the door of my heart, I just open my heart. Just like that. So you can remember, just open up your heart, okay? Just do like that. And just give yourself a hug. Report an error in the passage at 9:08
9:31 And that's also one of the Brahmavihāras, which is actually kindness, mettā. So please, if you... Forget, you know, what's going on? How come meditation is so difficult? Why is it so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so, so frustrating? Because the heart is still closing. Punching like that. So please, you do just the brahma over here. Just let it open. One of them is the kindness part. Report an error in the passage at 9:31
9:58 And then Ajahn Brahm liked to say mindfulness as well. Mindfulness, he defines it as silence and present moments. So silence is very important. silent and present moment awareness so it's just simple awareness silent awareness and kindness one of the brahma vr's and basically if you combine them what Report an error in the passage at 9:58
10:20 you get is bliss pretty much and then that's about it pretty much and you do just close your eyes enjoy that kindness blossoms and that mindfulness just grows and grows and grows and grows that awareness just goes sharper and sharper sharper just see clear And it kind of keeps bright, getting brighter, getting warmer. And your heart just fills up. And then it grows, grows, grows. And your energy just shuts up. Report an error in the passage at 10:20
10:48 And what do you do? Exactly nothing. Just open up your heart. Keep it open, please. Don't close it again. Because some people, you know, forget. It's like, oh, maybe it's already open. So it's nice. So let's just close it just a little bit. So maybe I'll do some thinking, some work. Okay, whatever. So maybe some of you probably thinking right now, it's like, why should I? Report an error in the passage at 10:48
11:09 Do whatever, exactly nothing, just keep it open, okay? Keep your heart open, keep it warm, keep it kind. And how do you do that? That's the trick you have to figure out yourself sometimes. So you have to use your memory sometimes. Like, what are the few scenarios, you know, in my mind, you know, just leads to kindness that my heart just opens up, that everything feels so great. Report an error in the passage at 11:09
11:33 You know, you look around, the birds are chirping. The squirrels are, you know, jumping up and down. You don't really mind. So basically, it's just your heart opening up, the kindness part. And that's only the first brahma over here. And you have three more, which you can utilize, okay? And then the second part is compassion, which is karuṇā. So we have a nun named Karunika. Report an error in the passage at 11:33
11:56 So I guess she's an expert in karuṇā. So if she has a chance to come over here, just please ask her about karuṇā. So compassion is also one of the great things. It also opens up your heart. Keep your heart really, really nice and open, warm. Compassion makes your heart really, really warm. And that's just take it to another level. Report an error in the passage at 11:56
12:16 Especially if you guys like to keep a warm heart. And maybe just a bit, you feel maybe the world a bit cold. So I guess it's your job to open up, to have that compassion. Report an error in the passage at 12:16
12:30 Hello, peace. Thank you for joining. you for joining. Thank you. Alright, and then yeah, so compassion, open up, and then yeah, peace may be a bit tired, so just feel a bit kind to peace, and then yeah, maybe some of you feel a bit tired, right now, so be compassionate to you guys, and you can just lay down, okay, because I won't see you guys, and if you feel like you can lay down, no problem, so just be compassionate to you, to yourself, and to other people. Report an error in the passage at 12:30
13:02 And then basically also I see the monks sometimes, you know, they kind of struggle. And then with opening up the, you know, their heart. So sometimes you just, oh, what's going on? So that suffering just keeps building up. You see that all the time over here in the monastery. It's also done a great thing in the monastic settings because we have 30 monastics here. So you can see different kind of people that, you know, go through so different suffering. Report an error in the passage at 13:02
13:31 And that's a great chance for you to practice compassion, just being kind. And it's just quite easy, actually, practice compassion and kindness to them. Just say, hello, hello, nice to see you. And that's about it. And they really appreciate it. Because we live here, I've been here nine years, and I've been seeing the same people over and over again. Report an error in the passage at 13:31
13:50 And they always argue about the same thing over and over again. It's really cute, though. So after we got this 84-year-old come arguing with this 83-year-old, and then I wouldn't tell you the names, but if you know our monastic community, so you know which one I'm talking about. Both are Americans. One from Brooklyn, one from Omaha. So they're great friends. So I just keep looking at them. It's like, okay, guys, you know, just take it easy. Report an error in the passage at 13:50
14:17 Okay, yeah. And basically why they argue, usually it's because they forget to open up their heart. You know, they just want to argue just to win. Just to win little points. For example, it's like, oh, okay, that orange just doesn't taste that good. So, if you're kind to the other person, say, yeah, maybe you're right. Report an error in the passage at 14:17
14:35 So, maybe it's not so great today. So, maybe, so, yeah, just give it a try. Those, yeah, other mangoes, whatever. So, and that's a way, that's why I'm so grateful to be in the monastic settings because it allows you to practice kindness and compassion. Whereas you guys, sometimes you guys have to live by yourself, right? Report an error in the passage at 14:35
14:55 So you don't have that chance. So it's like, yay! So great for Ananda. So he can be, you know, being a monk. And so, yeah. But please, even though you live a solitary life, please remember that there's always another person with you, okay? Which is yourself. So be compassionate to you guys, to yourself, to your heart. Just be kind, okay? Report an error in the passage at 14:55
15:20 Kind and compassionate to yourself. There's always someone there with you, okay? You're mine. It's always that struggling mind, that suffering mind. Okay. And that's one. First one, mettā. It's like one is karuṇā. And that's only two of the mettā viharas. Third one is gratitude, which I think is Achala's favorite. If I'm not mistaken. The lazy man's practice. So murita is actually, people call it like the great, you know, I just, I prefer gratitude. Report an error in the passage at 15:20
15:52 For other people. I think I prefer like, you know, like seeing other people's good qualities, which is also excellent. But yeah, gratitude is also the one that I practice a lot, which is buddhita. And then, you know, just being grateful here in the monastic settings. Like sometimes I think, oh, I can't be so lucky. All I have to do is just practice the Brahmavihāras every single day, every single moment. Report an error in the passage at 15:52
16:17 Nothing else. The Vinaya is actually like the monastic kind of rules that we have to learn. That's so easy. It only takes a few months to learn. Basically, it's just common sense. Just be kind. Basically, just be kind and be restraint, okay? And then be grateful that you live in a beautiful place, in beautiful monastic settings, and then you live with beautiful monks. Report an error in the passage at 16:17
16:44 And then every once in a while, I get invited to come to join you guys. So I'm grateful to, you know, meet Gloria maybe once every few... few months even though glory you'll be leaving for a while and then we have john back okay and then they're also you know kim i see you many many times you know thank you kim and eva and then pinder yeah celeste and i think i see bodhi from korea as well but even though he's not gonna show up so there you go and we also have other participants people joining in So it's always grateful that you get a chance to share the dharma. And then that also just builds up your heart. Just imagine your heart is already open with kindness, open up with compassion, now opens up with gratitude. Report an error in the passage at 16:44
17:38 Really, really opens up and it's really, really warm. It's really, really energetic. It's really, really light. Can you guys remember the last time you felt that way? Report an error in the passage at 17:38
17:50 Well, maybe last week when you just joined Armadale Group. With the other monks. That's the only time you can just... Just imagine your only syllabus is learning kindness, learning compassion, learning gratitude. How cool is that? And that's exactly it. Being monastic life, that's all it is. And that's the third one, okay? Those are my favorites, okay? Report an error in the passage at 17:50
18:14 Actually, the fourth one is actually also another favorite. Ajahn Brahm called it contentment. Other people call it equanimity, pekka. But it doesn't have that grab for Ajahn Brahm. He prefers calling it contentment, which I think it's correct though. Because contentment, he likes to use the motto, it's good enough. Report an error in the passage at 18:14
18:37 Just wanting to be here. Just being content to be here. You know, all the things are going on. Just imagine right now, maybe you have butterflies. I remember I used to have butterflies, you know, my first time with you guys. so yeah now i just there's no butterflies because i just remember you guys and then okay this is so nice so and then just be content and then just be content with the butterflies it's not that great so that's a trick for you guys if you have to do some public speaking just be content and just be this is good enough and then and after that the talk gets really smooth and you can feel the speaker's energy and then just feel so great Report an error in the passage at 18:37
19:25 Contentment is always good enough. And you guys are always good enough, okay? Thank you for coming. And you guys combine all those Brahmavihāras together. And let them open up. And let's see where it takes us, okay? In meditation. Okay, guys? Sounds good? Hopefully? That's it. That's the only thing we have to do. Practicing the Brahmavihāras. The sublime abidings of the gods. And if you guys master this, you can become one of the gods. Report an error in the passage at 19:25
19:55 And this is all true. You'd have to kind of guess, oh, wonder what it's like being a god. Well, you get a chance. Just a little taste. God of compassion. The Kuan Yin of Gloria. Gloria Kuan Yin, okay? Remember that, okay? Let's please do. Harry and Ninja. Okay, another Kuan Yin, okay? And then Bodhisattvas. That's exactly what they practice. It's not too difficult, guys. Report an error in the passage at 19:55
20:23 Bodhisattvas and the Buddhas. Very simple. Simple practice, just kindness, compassion, gratitude, and contentment. Okay, guys? I hope that's enough of introduction. And then, do you guys want to have a bit, one question? Or do you want to go straight to meditation? If there's a question, just let me know, okay? If not, no question, okay? We can have questions later, okay? Report an error in the passage at 20:23
20:53 After the meditation. Okay, I guess as usual. Take it easy, relax, just enjoy yourself, okay, and bliss out, okay? Okay, you can turn off the video, whatever you like. You can sit down, lie down, no one's gonna see. Exactly, yes, please do. Lie down, Petra, okay. Peace, okay. So you gotta settle. Report an error in the passage at 20:53
21:25 Meanwhile, I'm just gonna turn off the lights, okay, guys? So Report an error in the passage at 21:25
21:45 I'm gonna give a... Usually, I like to give a long... Well, anyway, it's long anyway for most people. But for me, it's so enjoyable just giving guided meditation. I hope it's okay. I tried to give it a short one today because I talk so long. You know, introduction, usually I don't talk at all. And then I just give a long guided meditation. Report an error in the passage at 21:45
22:08 But since Chloe asked me about the Brahmavihāra, which is how I was going to talk about it anyway, which I have in my mind, so let's do that, okay? But as usual, just to keep, you know, keep my respect to Ajahn Brahm. This is why Ajahn Brahm always keep the same instruction, guided meditation. So we did a body scan, okay? Report an error in the passage at 22:08
22:27 And maybe I'll just introduce a little bit spin at the end, okay? All right, guys? Please enjoy, okay? First Report an error in the passage at 22:27
23:05 of all, pay attention to your feet. Report an error in the passage at 23:05
23:13 If you're sitting down, you can just wriggle your toes against the floor and just Report an error in the passage at 23:13
23:24 feel how nice it is against the soul. Unfortunately, I have my socks on, so I can't really feel the floor or the carpet. But I can feel the socks against my toes, against the soles of my feet, which is actually quite comfortable. So thank you, socks. Thank you, socks, for being there. Keeping my toes, my feet warm. Report an error in the passage at 23:24
23:50 Be grateful to that. And Report an error in the passage at 23:50
23:58 move up to your feet. Move up to your leg, to your ankle. You can twist your ankle a little bit here and there if it's a bit tight. See how that feels. And then move up. And then feel the muscle of your calves. Report an error in the passage at 23:58
24:24 And don't forget to give one of the Brahmavihāras maybe gratitude. Say thank you. Thank you cows for working so hard the whole day. Just Report an error in the passage at 24:24
24:43 put some kindness. And feel them relaxing and at ease. And Report an error in the passage at 24:43
24:52 then move up to your knees. Put kindness to your knee joints. Report an error in the passage at 24:52
25:00 I like to sit a lot so sometimes the knees hurt because I don't sit properly. So nowadays I like to be a bit more careful with my knees. I just like to put kindness there. Just Report an error in the passage at 25:00
25:18 feel the joints kind of melt with that kindness, with that compassion of yours. And Report an error in the passage at 25:18
25:32 then move up to your thighs. Feel the muscle of your thighs. Just feel the skin. You cannot feel the thighs of the thigh muscles. You can just brush against the skin. Just feel the awareness on your skin, the skin of your thighs. Perhaps warm, perhaps a bit cold. Just feel them, okay? The skin on your thighs. Again, Report an error in the passage at 25:32
26:04 put some kindness there. Remember, the secret of meditation is always one of the brahmavihāras, the sublime abidings, which in this case may be kindness. Be Report an error in the passage at 26:04
26:18 kind to your thighs. Just imagine the thighs relaxing, the muscles spreading out, and feeling at ease. Report an error in the passage at 26:18
26:34 And then now to your hips. Feel Report an error in the passage at 26:34
26:41 the hips. Feel the muscle. The tendons. And the joints. Feel everything relaxing and at ease. Put kindness there. That beautiful kindness. That beautiful gratitude. Thank you hips for being there. And Report an error in the passage at 26:41
27:15 move to your back. The muscle of your lower back. If you wish you can stretch your back like a cat. And then relax. Report an error in the passage at 27:15
27:34 Stretch again. And then relax. Report an error in the passage at 27:34
27:41 Feel the muscles relaxing. And then move up to the upper back. Upper back muscle. You can squeeze your shoulders. And just feel the upper back just also getting tight. And then just relax. Report an error in the passage at 27:41
28:06 And then feel the tension relax. Tension disappear. Move Report an error in the passage at 28:06
28:19 up to your shoulders. You can do the same thing. And up your shoulders. Just relax. Report an error in the passage at 28:19
28:35 Just imagine the warmth and the kindness permeating the skin. Permeating your heart as well. Making your heart really, really bright. Making it light at the same time. Feeling at ease. All Report an error in the passage at 28:35
28:57 the tension disappear to Report an error in the passage at 28:57
29:05 your stomach. If Report an error in the passage at 29:05
29:09 you can, move inside the stomach. And then maybe you can just feel the stomach there. Inside. The entrails. The guts, perhaps. If Report an error in the passage at 29:09
29:24 it's a large stomach. Report an error in the passage at 29:24
29:28 And if you have enough awareness, enough mindfulness, just please use that kindness in there. Give Report an error in the passage at 29:28
29:40 your stomach a massage with kindness. Massage with your mind. You can move to your liver. Feel the liver and the kidneys just softening with kindness. Just Report an error in the passage at 29:40
30:06 feel everything melting inside of you, which is so great. And Report an error in the passage at 30:06
30:18 then now move up to your chest. Report an error in the passage at 30:18
30:24 Feel your chest heaving in. Heave out. Heave in. Breathe out. Report an error in the passage at 30:24
30:35 Just be grateful to that lungs of yours, that chest diaphragm muscles. They never miss a beat. It gives you that life-giving energy. So be thankful to your chest, to your lungs, okay? So thank you, lungs. Thank you, chest, for being there, for simply being there. You're always good enough, even though sometimes I might be a bit old, just a bit difficult. Report an error in the passage at 30:35
31:12 Maybe I get a bit cold. So it's a bit difficult to breathe, but you always try your best lungs. So thank you for being there, for working so hard, for never forgetting little me here, for giving me that oxygen. Thank you very much. I Report an error in the passage at 31:12
31:39 can feel your lungs kind of also getting warm and warm. Imagine that your lungs getting warm instead of just your heart. And then your lungs just feel, want to work a bit harder just for you today. Because you're kind to the lungs. The lung just sings for you. So Report an error in the passage at 31:39
32:03 if you like singing, you can sing as well. But I won't sing. Move Report an error in the passage at 32:03
32:12 up again to your neck. You can Report an error in the passage at 32:12
32:18 just move your neck muscle here and there. Maybe it's a bit tense. So you can move them to and fro. Back and forward. You can look up and look down. And just feel the muscles relaxing. Report an error in the passage at 32:18
32:38 Feel Report an error in the passage at 32:38
32:42 the throats opening up. Just Report an error in the passage at 32:42
32:47 feel also your heart opening up and relaxing. In your mind as well. Remember that burden, that thoughts? They all disappear, all gone. Where have they gone? Who knows? Doesn't matter. Report an error in the passage at 32:47
33:02 All you have is just that kindness, that gratitude, that contentment just being here. And all the beautiful people from Armadale Group. Report an error in the passage at 33:02
33:15 Thank you everyone for coming here. And Report an error in the passage at 33:15
33:29 then move up to your face. Make Report an error in the passage at 33:29
33:45 a smile. If you haven't smiled already, please make a smile. Okay? If there's a frown, turn it upside down, okay? It's so easy. An upside-down frown is a smile. I Report an error in the passage at 33:45
34:01 have a kick just thinking about it. An upside-down frown. That's what Sunya would say anyway. Thinking about Sunya makes me laugh anyway. Report an error in the passage at 34:01
34:13 He loses his... Tell everyone, oh, I lost my beanie today. Can you guys find me? And then after 20 minutes or whatever, after one hour, he found it in his yam, actually. He's like, oh, I didn't check the other pocket. So that just makes me smile again. Just this morning. So thank you, Sunyo, for coming into my mind and reminding me of that humor of yours. Definitely going to miss you when you move to Margaret River. Report an error in the passage at 34:13
34:40 I Report an error in the passage at 34:40
34:44 can see my smile getting wider and wider just thinking about Sunyo. I Report an error in the passage at 34:44
34:51 move up to your nose. Here you can just play with the imagination. Just play. Just imagine your nose grows like a Pinocchio. Report an error in the passage at 34:51
35:03 Grows, grows, grows. I can see. See the nose growing until it hit the screen. Imagine that. Becoming Pinocchio. Congratulations. Report an error in the passage at 35:03
35:20 Now just make sure before everyone can see you, just make sure you shrink your nose. Slowly, slowly, slowly, slowly, slowly, slowly. No more Pinocchio. Just your old self, okay? Old Ananda, old Gloria, old Kim. So thank you, Pinocchio, for coming over. Now to your eyes. Congratulations. Report an error in the passage at 35:20
· · · silence, 1 minute
35:48 just remember how hard your eyes been working my goodness they've been looking here and there look at the screen because i just had my retreat so i have to catch up on a lot of emails ah so many emails so my eyes a bit tired so so now i can get a chance to relax my eyes so you guys give me a chance to take a break give me an excuse Report an error in the passage at 35:48
36:19 Other people might say it's work, but for Ananda, joining you guys is just a pleasure. Thank you guys, giving me an excuse to have fun. So eyes, I just filled my eyes, just relaxing now. Not Report an error in the passage at 36:19
36:38 having to do any work. And you guys don't have to do any work as well. Right now you can just relax. You also have an excuse not to work for a while. And please get off that list of not having to work. Not having to do anything. Not even have to meditate because Ananda does all the meditation for you. Okay? Just follow my words along with kindness, gratitude, contentment, with pleasure, with joy, with fun. Report an error in the passage at 36:38
37:14 As Pinocchio's. Maybe one day I'll give him the Pinocchio meditation guidelines. That would be nice. Anyway, let's just back to the eyes first. Move up to your head. Report an error in the passage at 37:14
37:31 To the top of your head, to your hair, to the scalp of your head. Report an error in the passage at 37:31
37:44 Perhaps your leg, you can take off your head, your skull. Just imagine taking out your brain, your poor brain. Report an error in the passage at 37:44
37:58 And it's still a bit tired, just lay them on the sofa. Right now my mind feels so, so energized. Let's just say your mind's a bit tired, your brain's a bit tired. So just put kindness there. Just imagine your brain on the sofa. Report an error in the passage at 37:58
38:16 Very, very soft sofa. A lazy boy sofa. A sofa that you can only imagine in your mind. Just imagine the brain relaxing. Taking it easy. Does Report an error in the passage at 38:16
38:39 that feel so nice? Then Report an error in the passage at 38:39
38:50 once you feel all nice and relaxed, you can just abandon all the bodies. Instead, just focus on that energy and that joy. Report an error in the passage at 38:50
39:06 Enjoy from following my words. Simple thing to do. Just follow Ananda's words. You get this energy and this joy. Just Report an error in the passage at 39:06
39:33 feel the energy and the joy just keep blossoming and blossoming and blossoming. Turns into a dragon perhaps. Into rockets. Report an error in the passage at 39:33
39:45 Just imagine that joy. That bliss. The energy keep growing. Just imagine. Maybe you never taste that joy, that bliss before. Just imagine it, okay? The best thing you can ever experience here. Of many lives. Just imagine it. And you're sharing all this with so many people at Amberdale Group. So Report an error in the passage at 39:45
40:13 please, keep the world shining with your energy, your joy. Okay? You can make a difference in this meditation session. This Report an error in the passage at 40:13
40:29 is the Brahma we are now. It's just so bright. Sublime abiding of the gods. Report an error in the passage at 40:29
40:40 Maybe some of you feel like being one of the gods themselves already. Just great, okay? The Report an error in the passage at 40:40
40:51 gods are actually you. Just another mind. You are the creator. You are the gods. Just Report an error in the passage at 40:51
41:03 imagine you can do whatever you wish. Report an error in the passage at 41:03
41:08 Nothing hindering you. No rules. No boundaries. No time. Nothing Report an error in the passage at 41:08
41:20 is measured. And you don't have to judge yourself anymore. Just Report an error in the passage at 41:20
41:29 imagine that you're always good enough. Good enough. Definitely good enough. Actually better than good enough. Actually too perfect. Imagine yourself as the perfect being. The perfect mind. The perfect bliss. The perfect joy. Just Report an error in the passage at 41:29
42:00 imagine that perfection. You don't need anything else. You're perfect as it is. The mind is perfect. The body is all gone. It's been settled down. The mind is the most important thing. And with that mind, you can change the world. You can change the universe. With the Brahmavihāras. So please don't forget the Brahmavihāras. Report an error in the passage at 42:00
42:30 Don't forget that sublime abiding of the gods. Brahmavihāra. Vihara is abiding. And Brahma is one of the high gods. So the abiding of the high gods. And that's what you're learning here at the meditation session here. Report an error in the passage at 42:30
42:47 Led by Kuan Yin Gloria. Thank you, Gloria, for being there. Without you, there's no one here. And Report an error in the passage at 42:47
43:01 also Ananda, I guess, gotta thank you as well. Since you're the one talking right now. So thank you, Ananda, for being here. Maybe it's a bit conceited. So thank you, Ananda. That's a bit of Pinocchio as well. Report an error in the passage at 43:01
43:23 Imagine for once how to feel that being one of the gods, one of the perfect beings, okay? So now I think I talk enough. I'll let you off, okay? Enjoy being one of those perfect beings, those perfect gods, those perfect Bodhisattvas, those perfect Kuan Yin. Okay, guys? Enjoy and bliss out. Take care. Okay, Report an error in the passage at 43:23
· · · silence, 15 minutes
58:41 it's 8 o 'clock now, so... I'm going to ring the gong three times to signify the idea of meditation, okay? By the third ring, you can open your eyes, but if you wish, you can continue your meditation, okay? Just Report an error in the passage at 58:41
· · · silence, 1 minute
59:52 take your time, everyone. If you have any questions, let me know. But if you don't have any questions, that's fine as well. Thank you for joining, okay, everyone? Oh, I see Becky as well from Hong Kong. Hello, Becky. I'll see you. Maybe it rains, okay? Report an error in the passage at 59:52
1:00:28 I want to say one thing. Sure, Gloria. Go ahead. Yeah because during meditation you said thank you for me for being here and I want to say yeah I want to say thank you for being here and everyone as well because it means a lot for me to be in a community and I just because I think a big part of my practice is to is to connect with my learn to connect with my feelings. Report an error in the passage at 1:00:28
1:01:00 and understand how I really feel towards things especially like I think some emotions that was like I suppressed a long time ago and then organize my feelings towards the relationship with my family which is like which is a big part of it and then I think recently I started to realize one thing is that I just do not have like emotional connection with both of my parents it used to be like a i think for many years i tried to force myself to like i need to feel some things you don't have to yes yes i really feel that way like because especially i come from like asian background and then And I think there is like a certain kind of like a need to feel something towards them. Report an error in the passage at 1:01:00
1:01:53 Yeah, sure. Report an error in the passage at 1:01:53
1:01:58 When I ask myself like how I really feel towards them or like how I how I view them like as parents or stuff one thing I realized is that I just do not really do not have that kind of emotional connection and because I can see the difference between when I am with my brother And when I'm with them, like if I take away the anger, if I take away the irritation and the anger, I think like... Report an error in the passage at 1:01:58
1:02:36 Like deep down like I just do not feel anything towards them and then it's like that kind of feeling like if they die tomorrow I wouldn't be too bothered about it except I need to organize their funeral. So please tell them not to die so I can just enjoy relaxing. Yes, and I need to probably deal with those relatives. Report an error in the passage at 1:02:36
1:03:01 Yeah, even, yeah. yeah i do not talk to any one of them now almost yeah and then yeah yeah and then i some i sometimes feel like i'm like a bit cold about this yeah like i do i do want them like to be happy like want my parents to be happy but i think that's something that they need to put in the work to do it yeah and then yeah but i i also feel like there is certain part of like hard to accept about that Because I think sometimes the kind of lack of emotional connection towards my parents, I would feel like there's a hole there. Report an error in the passage at 1:03:01
1:03:44 And then I try to be kind of gentle or sort of stuff, but it does feel like uncomfortable. Exactly, yeah. From time to time. So sometimes if you feel a bit uncomfortable with people, they're just parents. Parents is a series of parents. over many lifetimes so it's okay you're gonna have another chance you know with different parents in a different life so this one maybe it's not so you know so easy to work with it's okay if you can accept that actually you your heart just grows so you don't have to try very hard to have connections whatever to get rid of that coldness just embrace that coldness okay it's beautiful there is adaptation can you imagine that coldness whatever just embrace that instead of your parents okay Because that coldness is just very close to you. It's just waiting for you to embrace, okay? If you have Pokemon. They don't like it. They don't like it very much. You don't have to hug your parents. Report an error in the passage at 1:03:44
1:04:43 You can hug yourself and then with that coldness, whatever, disappear. After that, you got the Brahmavihāras. And then you don't have to remember what your parents did. Everything. Just remember the Brahmavihāras. Okay? Instead of you, the heart warm. And then after that, your parents see you change and then they become... Report an error in the passage at 1:04:43
1:05:02 A different person. Because they always reflect on the person in front of them. Okay? So don't try very hard. Instead of just embrace that bit of irritation, embrace that heart. So don't try it at all. Get rid of it. Okay? Easy. Just accept it. Don't even try to accept. Just keep coming. Our real group, okay? As we get along, you know, as you chat with me, with other monks, slowly just disappear. Report an error in the passage at 1:05:02
1:05:31 Don't worry too much, okay? That's how to work. Just let the subconscious work on it, okay? It's time. Just relax right now. Maybe you have a great relationship with your brother. Just focus on that one instead. It's not really great relationship with them, but I can like, because he has his own stuff to deal with. Report an error in the passage at 1:05:31
1:05:50 But I do feel connection towards them. Sometimes he's like, he's... Sometimes he appears to be cold, but I can see that he's trying to avoid something. It's always family. But remember, Gloria, you can always come here, Bodhinyana, with the nuns, you know, at the Masara. So it's not too far. So if you got a chance and you have some time, whatever holidays, remember, we're always here. Just let me know, or Nibbuto, whatever. And then, yeah, we're always here. Report an error in the passage at 1:05:50
1:06:18 And then how to get to Nibbuto is pretty easy. He's the guest monk. You can also get in touch with me. I think you can email whatever armadillo coordinator you can get in touch with me. My email is pa.bram at bswa. You can email me directly. Yeah, anytime. Okay. Yeah, you're pretty special. So you can have the connection, direct connection to the monks. So you always can be as cold and as distant as you want, but we still love you. Report an error in the passage at 1:06:18
1:06:50 Okay. that's fine. Thank you for that. Thank you for that, Gloria. Report an error in the passage at 1:06:50
1:07:01 And this is also applied to everyone, okay? Eva, Harry, I think it's that ninja, it's ninja, right? Or something. Melanie, it can always come. Pinder, yeah, sometimes you, quite often before. And then, you know, Becky, Becky always here every year, okay? So, if you drop by to Bodhinyana Monastery, so please say hello, okay? Report an error in the passage at 1:07:01
1:06:56 Thank you for that, Gloria. Report an error in the passage at 1:06:56
1:07:26 Please do come, Eva. It's not so far. I think Europe, right? Okay. Report an error in the passage at 1:07:26
1:07:36 If anyone else have any question, I'm ready. But if you wish to quit, it's also fine as well. Whatever is fine. Report an error in the passage at 1:07:36
1:07:52 Maybe anyone wants to share instead of questions. Maybe, yeah. How you guys feel about Armadale Group? Should we keep continuing? Or maybe we should stop. We should stop. Oh, Ajahn Ramali. The audience doesn't want us anymore. So we can leave. Report an error in the passage at 1:07:52
1:08:09 No, we can't do that, okay? We're here to serve you guys. So anytime, okay? It's a pleasure for us. Report an error in the passage at 1:08:09
1:08:18 Any testimonials? Can I change your life? No, we really appreciate that. You guys are there for sure. I don't want you to go anywhere. I was just teasing about that, yeah. I know the values of having monks around. You know, just being an exemplar for you guys. Because, you know, over there, it's kind of a bit, this thing a bit hard, yeah? Report an error in the passage at 1:08:18
1:08:43 and then you have to look at the world what's going on right now but that's just the world yeah i know and i mean since we were talking about the um you know i i really i really like the gratitude one because i think for me yes it makes it easy sometimes or easier let's say right because sometimes we feel like um there's so much really you know bad stuff going on but then if you if you can feel gratitude um exactly i think that for me that that almost always just kind of flows right into matter right because exactly like oh yeah Now in compassion it automatically comes from gratitude for me. Report an error in the passage at 1:08:43
1:09:25 You can make you cry as well. Joy. Tears of joy. I was watching this series and there was this quote, don't be judgmental, be curious, which I really liked as well. Because for my job, I'm always... um kind of i have to be judgmental honestly i mean you know i'm a scientist i'm working for an indigenous organization i have to basically tell people what you know what's right and what's not right which is not Yeah, it's not natural for us, yeah, for the mind, yeah. Mind wants just to accept everything, just everything into one, into unity, enter the jhānas, to become one of the gods. Report an error in the passage at 1:09:25
1:10:27 It's just a natural state. Actually, that's just where we all came from anyway. One of God's states. And then just we forget. Now we have to work. We have to struggle. It's like, oh my goodness, we have families. When we were gods, we didn't have any families. Yay! So there you go. It's just another incentive to practice Brahmavihāras. And they're not hard. They're super easy, if you can remember. And then that's what we monks are here for. Report an error in the passage at 1:10:27
1:10:54 Okay? So Eva, you can always come here or Dhammasara, whichever you prefer, okay? And then Ajahn Brahm will always be here. I would definitely, I would love to come over sometime to talk about a few questions I have that I decided to do over video. Maybe next spring. Yeah, definitely. So again, for you guys who want to visit, so there's also a session where you want to stay, maybe a few weeks, maybe from overseas, you can like a month. Report an error in the passage at 1:10:54
1:11:23 You can just go to our BSW.org and then there's always like a stay session and then you can fill up form, whatever, I don't remember. And then Nibuto, Aja Nibuto, he's the guest, but he'll take care of you, okay? And then, yeah, I'll see you guys over here and then we'll chat and then that's it. Thank you, Eva. Okay. So meanwhile, just enjoy your job, okay? It's not so bad. Till next spring, okay? Report an error in the passage at 1:11:23
1:11:59 answer the question one one thing one advice would be helpful for me um because we're also dealing with some difficulties with our family and particularly Report an error in the passage at 1:11:59
1:12:10 My brother-in-law has a very severe alcohol problem and I'm really kind of struggling with you know wanting to help him but at the same time it seems like he doesn't really want to get away from it. He basically denies that he has the problem. and so many people are suffering because of Yeah, Report an error in the passage at 1:12:10
1:12:51 so this, yeah. i think i'm not quite sure how to deal with that right now to be honest with you like that's yeah you can have compassion but it doesn't seem to be helping right and um so what what do you do i mean sometimes some of our like in our family they just are trying to get away from the problem Yeah. Report an error in the passage at 1:12:51
1:12:53 Yeah. Okay. Are you finished, Eva? If not, okay, you're finished? Okay. So basically, that's the exact same issue that I have to face this morning because one of the monks whom I have to mentor, so because he's, even though he's 60 years old, just older than I am, but he's also more jittery than me, you know, as in terms of age as a monk. Report an error in the passage at 1:12:53
1:13:10 So he's only three years old, so he's struggling. So people don't really appreciate him. And then, so I can see him like, you know, he's spiraling down, becoming more depressed or whatever. And also he's just tightening, tightening, tightening. So no matter what I can say, you know, with mettā, with kindness, it just doesn't penetrate. So sometimes you just have to, yeah, also it's one of the brahma we hear, I guess, I just be content and then just leave it be. Report an error in the passage at 1:13:10
1:13:39 Contentment is quite difficult actually, just leaving things alone, non-judgmental, and just leaving it alone. Even though they suffer so much, but it's just not ready. So even, we're talking about monks here as well. So monks struggle as well here in Bodhinyana. I just want to tell you the truth. So it's not you guys, okay? So even though we have like the perfect kind of settings here, we have Ajahn Brahm as our teacher, plenty of monks struggle. Report an error in the passage at 1:13:39
1:14:02 And it's okay. Once you accept it, the struggles disappear because the Brahmavihāra just grows in your heart and then nothing kind of fears you anymore. Just imagine that. So safety, kindness, all that just inside of your heart. But again, You try your best, but you have limited energy, and you have to deal with your own stuff. There you go. So it's okay, Eva. Report an error in the passage at 1:14:02
1:14:27 So if you feel helpless, accept that. It's okay. That's a struggle with everyone, okay, in a monastery. Other monks want to help other people, but they also struggle themselves, so they don't have the energy. So once we have this Brahmavihāra, you have the energy. And then, yeah, that's what you have. 52 years of, you know... Report an error in the passage at 1:14:27
1:14:48 Just giving Brahmavihāra to people. You can see the impact on that, you know, thousands of people. And that's how you help the world. If you can, and you have the determination, not determination anyway, just have a little bit of courage anyway. Just a boldness, just jump over, you can become a monastics. Report an error in the passage at 1:14:48
1:15:07 And then you can help so many people. Just merely just being, you know, having a robe on, just like this. Just keeping the precepts. And then, yeah, and then once that precepts kind of mature, You can help Brahmavihāras automatically. You don't have to do anything. You get all the blisses and all the wisdom that you wish merely for keeping the precepts and just being kind, being gentle, as Ajahn Brahm says. Report an error in the passage at 1:15:07
1:15:32 Okay? Thank you, Eva, for asking that question because I have the same issue. Hopefully, I can help. You can help your brother. I can help this monk. Remember, just patience is also one of the Brahmavihāras, okay? Patience, just being there. Just watch. okay all right thank you Eva thank Report an error in the passage at 1:15:32
1:16:00 you Vicky I'll see you okay if Report an error in the passage at 1:16:00
1:16:09 you guys feel satisfied it's okay as well and we can end the session any more questions or comments or sharings satisfaction is also one of the brahmavihāras now we have six or seven brahmavihāras I just make things up Report an error in the passage at 1:16:09
1:16:29 Surrender is also one of the Brahma Biharas. We can also talk about surrender later on. That's one of the monastics, you know, the Christian monastics, surrender to God. But for us, just surrender to the Brahma Biharas. Simple, just give up. What's easier than giving up? Is surrender different from giving up? Report an error in the passage at 1:16:29
1:16:51 Oh, the same thing. Because basically just give up and then it just opens up the heart. Give it a try someday. You can give up, you know, trying to be kind to your parents. It's okay. Yeah. You see? You got bravo here right now. See? Just like that. No one told you to be kind to your parents. It's like one of those Asian kind of culture things. Report an error in the passage at 1:16:51
1:17:17 Yeah. But you know how you feel right now. That's the bravo here. So just give up. you know I just Report an error in the passage at 1:17:17
1:17:27 give up on your parents okay okay they're big big boys and big girls okay sorry maybe i shouldn't say this in front of so many people maybe hopefully not on youtube so okay yeah so gloria hope you're happy tonight yeah it's okay yeah once the giving out happens the brahmavihāra comes to you and then you can love your parents naturally easily yeah but first give up first yeah i need to print it out okay after a while this But the whole Buddhist path is great. Yeah, easy. But I know you have to go all this suffering. Report an error in the passage at 1:17:27
1:18:07 Trust me, Ananda went through all suffering. If I tell you, if you got like another hour or whatever, yeah, I can tell y 'all. It's all come from suffering. Imagine that, all this brahma, the beautiful stuff, come of this muck called suffering. You know, Ananda also suffers, you know, just like you guys, yeah. Report an error in the passage at 1:18:07
1:18:25 But it just takes time. Ananda has more guts, I guess, and then more... Faith in the Buddha's teaching in Ajahn Brahm. Anyone Report an error in the passage at 1:18:25
1:18:37 else? Any comments? Report an error in the passage at 1:18:37
1:18:45 If no, I think we can end it tonight. Can we do the sharing of various things? Definitely, yeah. I think actually I'll use this one. Okay. I'll do the blessings for the meal, okay? So that's a... We can do the long one as well since we have eight minutes, okay? So are you guys ready? Here we go. Report an error in the passage at 1:18:45
1:19:07 paripurenti sagarang, ewang-ewang itodinang, petanang upaka pati, icitang patitang tumhang, kipame samijatu. Sa bepurentu sangkapa, jantopanarasomadijotirasoyato, sapitio viwajantu, saparogo. go in as a to my day Report an error in the passage at 1:19:07
1:20:16 Sadhu. Sadhu. Report an error in the passage at 1:20:16
1:20:23 Thank you for joining me in the sadhus. Okay. That's about it, guys. Okay? So maybe I'll see you guys in a few months or whatever. Okay? Bye-bye, guys. Love you guys. Okay. Bye-bye. Thank you, Thalia. Report an error in the passage at 1:20:23
Related talks
Talk by Venerable Ananda, recorded at The Armadale Meditation Group, 9 May 2026. Original at Buddhist Society of Western Australia: https://podcast.bswa.org/e/the-four-brahmaviharas-venerable-ananda-the-armadale-meditation-group/. Licensed No license stated; shared with the archive's knowledge (courtesy note). Transcript generated automatically and may contain errors; the audio is the authoritative version.
Listen on Buddhist Society of Western Australia · No license stated; shared with the archive's knowledge (courtesy note)