The Dangers of Striving

We practice to relieve suffering, not to heap it up upon ourselves. Great determination and self-aversion are a dangerous combination, something we need to be on the lookout for. If our minds do have self hate, its important to develop kindness towards o

An episode of the Ajahn Anan Podcast podcast, hosted by Ajahn Anan Akiñcano, titled "The Dangers of Striving" was published on July 7, 2021 and runs 25 minutes.

July 7, 2021 ·25m · Ajahn Anan Podcast

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Summary

We practice to relieve suffering, not to heap it up upon ourselves. Great determination and self-aversion are a dangerous combination, something we need to be on the lookout for. If our minds do have self hate, it's important to develop kindness towards ourselves. We must also have self awareness to know our own limits and resources, and how much we are capable of. Our efforts must come through wisdom.

Episode Description

We practice to relieve suffering, not to heap it up upon ourselves. Great determination and self-aversion are a dangerous combination, something we need to be on the lookout for. If our minds do have self hate, it's important to develop kindness towards ourselves. We must also have self awareness to know our own limits and resources, and how much we are capable of. Our efforts must come through wisdom.

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The Unbounded Mind Ajahn Anan Akiñcano Translated by Western monastics who have come to him in search of Dhamma, these reflections on practice by Venerable Ajahn Anan Akincaño provide practical meditation instructions as well as descriptions of the higher stages of the path. For more information, visit www.watmarpjan.org/en. Common Ground Meditation Center: Ajahn Jotipalo's most recent Dharma talks via dharmaseed.org Ajahn Jotipālo was born in 1965 in Indiana. He received a B.A. from Wabash College and worked for six years in technical sales. He became interested in Theravada Buddhism after sitting several Goenka retreats. While on staff at the Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts, he met Ajahn Amaro and Ajahn Punnadhammo. After leaving IMS, he spent three months with Ajahn Punnadhammo at the Arrow River Forest Hermitage in Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada. Ajahn Jotipālo came to live at Abhayagiri in 1998 and subsequently spent two years training as an Anāgārika and Sāmaṇera. He ordained as a Bhikkhu with Ajahn Pasanno as preceptor on Ajahn Chah's birthday, June 17, 2000. Since that time, Ajahn Jotipālo has also stayed at Ajahn Chah-branch monasteries in Thailand, Canada, and New Zealand. He has returned to Abhayagiri for the vassa of 2012. Dharma Seed - dharmaseed.org: Ajahn Liem Thitadhammo's most recent Dharma talks dharmaseed.org Ajahn Liem Thitadhammo, a highly respected and revered Buddhist monk in the classical Thai Forest Tradition, is Ajahn Chah’s chosen successor. He was born in Sri Saket Province, in Northeastern Thailand, in 1941 and took full bhikkhu ordination at the age of 20. In 1969 he began training under Ajahn Chah, one of Thailand’s most beloved and renowned monks. Even today Ajahn Chah’s reputation and influence continues to grow and spread throughout the world.Living at Wat Nong Pah Pong (Ajahn Chah’s monastery) under Ajahn Chah’s direct guidance, Ajahn Liem soon became one of his closest disciples. In 1982 when Ajahn Chah became too ill to carry on with his duties, he entrusted Ajahn Liem with full authority and responsibility to run the monastery. Shortly thereafter, as Ajahn Chah’s illness progressed and he was no longer able to speak, the Sangha of Wat Nong Pah Pong appointed Ajahn Liem to take over the abbotship. He continues to fulfill that duty up to the present day and has maintained Thanissara's most recent Dharma talks (Spirit Rock Meditation Center) via dharmaseed.org Thanissara, from London, was a nun for 12 years in the tradition of Ajahn Chah and has taught internationally for over 30 years. She is co-founder of Dharmagiri Sacred Mountain Retreat, South Africa, Sacred Mountain Sangha, California, and Chattanooga Insight, Tennessee. She has an MA in Mindfulness Psychotherapy Practice from the Karuna Institute UK and is co-author of Listening to the Heart, A Contemplative Guide to Engaged Buddhism, author of Time To Stand Up, An Engaged Buddhist Manifesto for Our Earth, and several books of poetry. She is a member of the Teacher Council at Spirit Rock and co-guiding teacher of Sacred Mountain Sangha.

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