Live from Birken: Dhamma Q&A with Ajahn Sona (11.19.2023)

Join us on Sunday as Ajahn Sona answers Dhamma questions from listeners around the world. Questions may be submitted during the live chat (opens ~3:00pm day of stream) or in advance, here: bit.ly/LivestreamQnA
Ajahn Sona Podcast:
Apple - bit.ly/AppleAjSona
Spotify - bit.ly/SpotifyAjSona
Podbean - bit.ly/PodbeanAjSona
Index of Questions:
00:00 - Introduction
01:49 - ORDINATION: I play with the idea of ordaining, but don’t feel ready for the challenge of living in community, due to Asperger´s syndrome. I am somewhat shy and socially awkward. Would this be a big hindrance?
05:00 - FRUITS OF ARAHANTSHIP: There is a state called "Cessation of Perception and Feeling" that is associated with abiding in Nibbana according to Abhidhamma. However, there is also another state called the "arahant phala" where an Arahant can directly abide in Nibbana. Are these concepts supported in the suttas and how do they differ from one another?
08:05 - HAPPINESS: An American author's gravestone reads: “Here lies one doubly blessed. She was happy and she knew it." What does the Buddha say about knowing one’s happiness, knowing one’s goodness?
12:36 - NIBBANA: Do you think the experience of Nibbana leads everyone to the same conclusions as the Buddha, or do you think people with differing intelligence and cultural background would describe it differently? Like neoplatonist as "The One", or "ultimate reality" in Hinduism.
17:36 - PRECEPTS: One day a week I observe the 8 precepts. Could you please provide guidance on the 8th precept concerning luxurious sleeping places?
22:36 - MEDITATION: Maybe 10+ minutes after meditation, not very intent, I suddenly felt that everything is getting free, nothing to hold onto, everything starts to open, my body is very light, everything is still. I rarely get the first jhana feeling joy and pleasure, this was different. It was amazing. Was that a nimitta? What is the purpose of it?
27:37 - ARAHANTS: Does the Arahant have a steady flow of thoughts just like everyone else?
29:52 - ABHIDHAMMA: The Abbidhamma breaks down everything into dhammas that are defined by their nature (svabhhava). However, Nagarjuna says that this contrasts the idea of emptiness and is sneaking in a self to these phenomena, and that phenomena do not really have an intrinsic nature. Which idea do you think matches more with the suttas?
35:20 - PYRRHONISM VS BUDDHISM: I listened to your discussion of Greek monk I do appreciate your dedication on this topic. When I research the comparison between Pyrrhonism and Buddhism, some people equate Pyrrho's “No views” and “Non-attachment” in Buddhism. This thought makes me really itchy. Do you agree with this idea? Does the non-attachment really mean having no views at all?
40:40 - DEPRESSION & METTA: While meditating, I realized that my mind, which I didn't know before, lived in deep depression for a very long time. So I was trying to do metta meditation, but it doesn't seem to work well. How should I develop it?
43:15 - SENSE DESIRE: I feel like I've suffered from sensory desire and greed, but on the other hand, it's hard to get out of this like drugs. How should I practice?
46:49 - APATHY: How should one approach apathy? I find myself regularly questioning my motivations while trying to meditate and feel apathy strongly and am unsure how to deal with it.
49:15 - ABANDONING FORMER HABITS: The third frequent recollection to strive to abandon former habits. Is this both unwholesome and wholesome habits? Is this because it is prudent not to cling to anything?
51:22 - RIGHT INTENTION: It seems that ill will, anger and hatred are lumped together in the 2nd hindrance, yet ill will & harmfulness are separated in Right Intention. Is this correct?
53:32 - NEGATIVE THOUGHTS: I realized recently that when my thoughts go towards a negative direction, my mind recoils and shuts the thoughts down. Is this what the Buddha meant by "two types of thoughts", or am I just "suppressing" my thoughts?