Renowned meditation teacher Ajahn Brahm shared his transformative insights on meditation during a recent gathering, emphasising the importance of viewing meditation as a journey where participants are passengers, not drivers. This perspective, he said, can significantly alter how we interact with our thoughts and emotions.
Separation from thoughts
Ajahn Brahm encourages practitioners to adopt a mindset that separates themselves from their thoughts. He illustrated this concept using a simple analogy: “When I hold my hand close to my face, it blocks my view of the world. Similarly, when our thoughts are too close, they overwhelm us. By putting our thoughts at a distance—two or three feet in front of us—we gain perspective and the ability to let them go.”
This approach addresses a common challenge in meditation: the incessant flow of thoughts that can disrupt our focus. By creating space between ourselves and our thoughts, we can watch them without getting entangled, much like observing a movie from a comfortable distance.
The power of kindfulness
Ajahn Brahm also highlighted the practice of “kindfulness,” which combines kindness with mindfulness. He urged participants to check in with their bodies before meditating, asking, “How are you feeling? What can I do to make you more comfortable?” By cultivating a compassionate relationship with our bodies, we can facilitate a more peaceful meditation experience.
The nature of thoughts
During his talk, Ajahn Brahm compared many of our thoughts to “soap operas”—entertaining but ultimately unimportant. By recognising that these thoughts do not define us, we can let them fade away, making room for a more serene state of mind. “If you could step back and view your thoughts like scenes on a screen, it becomes much easier to let them go,” he said.
Finding peace in stillness
Ajahn Brahm emphasised that when we allow thoughts to drift away, we can truly experience peace. He encouraged practitioners to enjoy this tranquility, noting that a peaceful mind tends to linger longer when we appreciate it. “Once you reach a stage of enjoying a peaceful mind, everything else in meditation flows more smoothly.”
Join Ajahn Brahm in meditation
Participants were invited to put these insights into practice, settling into their meditation postures and closing their eyes. Ajahn Brahm guided them through a process of awareness, encouraging them to scan their bodies for comfort and relaxation. “Real compassion is about taking action, not just thinking kind thoughts,” he said.
As the session concluded, attendees left with a deeper understanding of how to approach meditation. By adopting a mindset of distance and kindness, they are empowered to embrace the stillness within, fostering a lasting sense of peace in their daily lives. Follow us on Youtube with https://youtu.be/dpVt9lJNhQ0
Join Ajahn Brahm in Sri Lanka
Ajahn Brahm will visit Sri Lanka in May 2025, bringing his wisdom and humour to a wider audience. He will deliver a dhamma talk at the BMICH on May 18. This is a rare opportunity to experience his teachings first hand and deepen your meditation practice under his guidance.
