Live from Birken: Dhamma Q&A with Ajahn Sona (03.10.2024)

Join us on Sunday as Ajahn Sona answers Dhamma questions from listeners around the world. Questions may be submitted during the live chat (opens ~8:00am day of stream) or in advance, here: bit.ly/Livestr...
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Question & Answer Archive
birken.ca/qaa/...
Index of Questions
00:00 - INTRO
00:09 - LONELINESS: There are times when I feel lonely practicing Buddhism, how can I overcome this loneliness?
06:29 - RELATIONSHIPS: After being betrayed by someone I trusted, I became reluctant to go out with people. I am living almost in isolation. I feel this is better than being hurt. What should I do about relationships?
10:53 - HELPING RELATIVES SEE DHAMMA: Some of my close relatives (old and young) are unnecessarily suffering with limiting beliefs, wasting vast opportunities on little pleasures instead of seeking those that can lead to lasting joy in each moment. How can I get them to see that if we are not fearful for whatever we have at hand now, then it too will be lost. I feel sad and mad. I am worried they may unintentionally hurt and sabotage others under this dim light of living. How can I help?
16:19 - RIGHT SPEECH: What is the best way to practice right speech in a work or office environment, without being dragged into office gossip?
18:54 - ILLNESS: After having a TIA, I’m aware the body will go, but what happens if my beautiful mind goes - then what?
24:12 - ABORTION: Will you please elaborate on the skillful Buddhist perspective to the polarizing topic of abortion. There are three aspects to my question: (1) How does abortion relate to the first precept, i.e. is it destroying life at any stage of pregnancy? (2) How should we think of the ethical counterargument that it is the lesser evil? (3) How do you recommend engaging (or do you recommend engaging) with those strongly pro choice on this topic, particularly when they are close family members?
38:54 - HELPING RELATIVES SEE DHAMMA: Regarding accumulation of merits, currently serving my 89 year old mother who had a difficult life. She is saddened as she knows her life is coming closer to the end. How to serve her by sharing the Dhamma? She is a Christian and any guidance would be greatly appreciated.
41:27 - GUILT: Do you have any advice on ways to fight guilt when falling short of the first 5 precepts? I notice that I’m still very hard on myself, probably stemming from Catholic roots of original sin.
45:00 - SELF IN MEDITATION: Even with so much rapture and bliss happening regularly in meditation I still have so much attachment to the sense of Self. Some defilements are still showing. Please provide guidance.
48:15 - BUDDHIST ECONOMICS: My husband has urged me to invest our cash savings in stocks to grow our assets, instead of having it "sit in the bank doing nothing". We are high earners and have accumulated more than enough for early retirement in our 40s, and I feel no desire to make any investments, but I don't want to "cling to my assets in fear of losing them". Could you advise on a skillful approach to this situation?
54:46 - WAKING UP: I read that the Buddha said "noted in his mind the time for rising" before sitting to meditate. How do you note a time for rising, and is this preferable to using a timer?