Samatha and Vipassana - Calm and Clear Seeing | 2015

Ajahn Brahmali gives a clear explanation of samatha (calm) and vipassanā (clear seeing); the two core components of Buddhist meditation practice. He offers practical insights into how these two qualities interact and support each other on the path to awakening.Samatha means tranquility, stillness, or calm. It is developed through practices like mindfulness of breathing, loving-kindness, or body awareness. Samatha leads to deep states of stillness, which purify the mind and prepare it for clear seeing.Vipassanā is commonly translated as “insight,” though Ajahn Brahmali notes that this may not fully capture its meaning. It refers to clear seeing, understanding the true nature of reality, especially impermanence, suffering, and non-self. Vipassanā arises not from thinking, but from a calm, clear mind.Samatha and vipassana are two wings of the bird; you need both to fly. One brings stillness, the other brings wisdom. Together, they lead to true liberation.Ajahn Brahmali also wrote a paper based on this talk, entitled ‘Why Samatha and Vipassana are Inseparable’, which can be found here: https://bswa.org/teaching/samatha-vipassana-inseparable/Recorded 2015-05-08-These talks by Ajahn Brahmali have been recorded and made available for free distribution by the Buddhist Society of Western Australia under the ⁠Creative Commons⁠ licence. ⁠You can support the Buddhist Society of Western Australia by pledging your support via their Ko-fi page.⁠