Author: Teoh Kian Koon

Bro. Teoh Kian Koon graduated from the University of Malaya in Civil Engineering in 1979. He has been a spiritual practitioner cum ‘Meditator’ since 1971. Since his retirement in 2001 from his Engineering career he had been sharing his spiritual understanding and experiences with all those who are keen in their search for true happiness, peace, liberation from birth and death and all mental suffering to become a more virtuous, noble and wiser human being. It is Bro. Teoh’s hope that Dharma friends, spiritual practitioners, seekers of Truth and cultivators will be able to make use of his sharing of the truth to develop a better understanding of life to help others and be of great blessings to all of humanity. He had also counselled and helped many people with severe depression, Karmic condition, career, health, marriage, financial, separation and relationship problems, to recover beautifully via his sharing of the rather penetrative Dharma/Truth (as taught by the Buddha) with them. He gives dharma talks, conducts dharma cum meditation classes and meditation retreats at various meditation centers and places that invited him. He also conducts weekly meditation cum dharma classes at Wu Ping Chin Seah, a Mahayana vihara (every Sunday) and at Subang Jaya (every Thursday). He also conducts a weekly Dharma sharing/discussion class with a group of very serious spiritual friends every Tuesday night at his Petaling Jaya, SS2 residence. He also organizes and led many spiritual cum tour trips to various spiritual places of importance for his Kalyanamittas. Bro. Teoh was invited to present an international seminar paper on ‘Life Management with Meditation: Experience and Success’ at the International Seminar dated 10th to 12th August 2013 held in Bangkok, Thailand. The Seminar was co-organized by the World Buddhist University (WBU), the World Fellowship of Buddhists (WFB) and the Pipphalivanaram Mindfulness Center (PMC). His seminar paper can be down loaded from the below drop box link: Success in Life via Meditation First Edition 2015.pdf https://www.dropbox.com/s/13xtnra7let1tu4/Success%20in%20Life%20via%20Meditation%20First%20Edition%202015.pdf?dl=0
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Linking the Avijja sutta’s 10 steps practices to the cultivation of the Four foundation of Mindfulness

Dear Kalyanamittas,
The below is a very good sharing for all kalyanamittas to develop the understanding of the cultivation. (To read the last email at the bottom first then its reply leading upwards from the bottom.)
Bye! and with metta always,
Teoh
From: xxxxxxx Sent: 01 May 2019 09:50
To: Bro Teoh Kian Koon
Subject: Re: Outline short notes for Sunday class dated 10th March and 7 April 2019

Dear Brother Teoh,

Thank you very much for the explanation. I know it’s due to my lack of understanding. I just want to understand how I got it wrong.
With Metta always,
xxx

On 1 May 2019 16:51, “Teoh Kian Koon” <teohkiankoon@hotmail.com> wrote:

Hi! xxxxx,
You still could not understand what the Buddha meant. It is not what u mentioned below. Because step 3 involves the whole  4 FOM (Step 3) cultivation. Before steps 7, 6, 5 and 4 are mastered u are not able to do the 4 FOM and that is the reason why the Buddha put in those words, ‘after overcoming covetousness and grief…’ then only can one cultivate the 4 FOM.  Your interpretation below is not accurate.
Step 7 is only the initial wisdom develop via 1st and 2nd turnings, especially the 2nd turning wisdom. This step can be done before cultivating step 6 (Mindfulness and clear comprehension or Sati Sampajanna).
And step 6 is not equivalent to the 2nd-4th foundation of mindfulness as mentioned by u. It is mentioned in the 1st foundation of Mindfulness – 3rd category of practice and can only be done after step 7 is being developedotherwise without the initial wisdom, a stable daily mindfulness is impossible to develop because the mind will continue to stir and react to sense experiences. So don’t be too impatient or eager to go into the 4 FOM firstbefore doing steps 7, 6, 5 and 4. If u do that u are wasting your precious cultivation time.
Hope this is clear to u by now.
​
Bye! and with metta always,
Teoh
From: xxxxxxx

Sent: 01 May 2019 07:43

To: Bro Teoh Kian Koon

Subject: Re: Outline short notes for Sunday class dated 10th March and 7 April 2019

Dear Brother Teoh,

Thank you for the explanation. If I understand correctly, steps 4-6 are also inclusive in step 3 as follows (??):
1. Step 4, ie three ways of good conduct are equivalent to right view, right speech, right action in step 3 (mindfulness of the N8FP).
2. Step 6, ie mindfulness and clear comprehension is equivalent to the 2nd-4th foundation of mindfulness
3. Step 7, ie wise attention requires right view in step 3 (mindfulness of the N8FP)
What I am trying to understand is, steps 4-6 seems to be part of step 3, and not a strict sequence as in must complete steps 4-6 first then only can reach step 3. Since step 4-6 are already part of step 3, then one is already cultivating the 4FOM before reaching the full blown step 3 which is the 4FOM itself.
Also, it says that the 4FOM is the only way out or sorrow and lamentation but it also says that we have to overcome covetousness and grief first before cultivating 4FOM. Isn’t sorrow and lamentation somewhat the same as covetousness and grief?

Can Brother Teoh help please. TQ.

 With Metta always
xxx
On Wed, 1 May 2019, 11:47 Teoh Kian Koon <teohkiankoon@hotmail.comwrote:
Dear xxxx,
Regarding your below question I had already answered them before. Please refer to the 10 steps as stated in the Avijja sutta on cultivation as reproduced below from our broteoh.com website.

The second sequence of Avijja sutta is:

1. True Knowledge (Vijja) leading to enlightenment and the nutriment for this is

2. The Seven Enlightenment factors (Satta Bojjhanga) and the nutriment for this is

3. The Four Foundations of Mindfulness (Satipatthana) and the nutriment for this is

4. The three ways of good conduct (mind, body and speech) and thenutriment for this is

5. Restraint of the sense faculties and the nutriment for this is

6. Mindfulness and clear comprehension (Sati and Sampajanna) and nutriment for this is

7. Wise consideration (Yoniso Manasikara) and nutriment for this is

8. Confidence/Faith (Saddha) in Buddha, Dharma, and the Sangha andnutriment for this is

9. Listening to true Dharma and nutriment for this is

10. Association with good Dharma and spiritual friends (Kalyanamittas).

(Note: Again you can see association with good Dharma or spiritual friendsor Kalyanamittas is a pre-requisite needed to arrive at that path that ends in True Knowledge (or Vijja)/enlightenment. That is the reason why the Buddha clearly instructs us via saying to Venerable Ananda: ‘havingDharma/spiritual/noble friends (kalyanamittas) is 100% of the holy life.”Hence developing and promoting true kalyanamittaship among all Buddhist within the Buddhist communities is most important.

Base on the above you  must have completed steps 4, 5, 6 & 7 before you can commence the cultivation of  the Four foundation of mindfulness (step 3). Step 7 (Yoniso manasikara)  will give rise to the initial wisdom required for sense restrain (step 5) leading to step 4 (the 3 ways of right or good conduct) to be possible. Having the 3 ways of good conduct means the cultivator already has the ability of overcome covetousness and grief.  Step 7 leading to step 6 is also very important because without step 6 you lack a very stable daily mindfulness to see your defilements and to overcome them via the 4 right efforts.
The other reason is, without steps 4, 5, 6 & 7 cultivated you will be wasting your time ‘cultivating’ step 3 which is the Four foundation of mindfulness because you are not ready and u don’t have the ability to do it because youcan’t understand the cultivation which is sati based and not thought based.
Hope the above helps and is clear by now.
Bye! and with metta always,
Teoh
From: xxxxxx
Sent: 30 April 2019 14:44
To: Bro Teoh Kian Koon;

Subject: Outline short notes for Sunday class dated 10th March and 7 April 2019

Dear Brother Teoh,
I have a question. Why is it that only after overcoming covetousness and grief, can one start to cultivate the 4 Foundation of Mindfulness? Is it not because we have covetousness and grief that we need to purify ourselves through the 4 Foundation of Mindfulness? 

Outline short notes for Sunday class dated 10th March 2019

Brother Teoh’s transcript book: Cultivating the Bodhisattva Way, pages 55-62

  1. Karmic fruition triggers karmic obstruction and is very powerful.

  2. To clear karmic obstruction, ask for forgiveness from the Triple Gem and invoke power of merits. The Triple Gem are ever ready to forgive through their vow and pure wish so that sentient beings are able to cultivate the Way/Path of Dharma without obstruction.

  3. The 10 Perfections cultivation are generosity, morality, renunciation, wisdom, spiritual zeal, patience endurance, truthfulness, determination/aspiration, loving kindness and equanimity.

  4. Dharma is not just theory. It has to be cultivated in the midst of life. Investigate the Dharma in our daily life activities. When the Dharma stands up to investigation, there will be understanding and faith.

  5. Only Bodhisattvas have precepts to break because Bodhisattvas take precepts.

  6. It is very important to understand what constitute evil so that they can be recognised and abandoned.

  7. Strive to connect to our truth nature early in every life. Learn the Dharma fast so that the Bodhisattva seed is activated early and perfect our karmic nature until it cannot fall any more.

  8. Long or short period of time is of no difference for a Bodhisattva once Enlightenment is attained.

  9. Question from Sister Tammy: Is Adhitthana and Law of Attraction the same?

  10. Brother Teoh explained that the Law of Attraction does not give the whole perspective of things as it does not take into account the law of karma. If the thoughts are positive but with evil roots, negative karma will arise. Then, those positive thoughts (with evil roots) will only work in the beginning until merits are depleted, then negative fruition will kick in.

  11. Question from Sister Soo: What is cetasika? How can cetasika help in our cultivation?

  12. Brother Teoh explained that cetasika is just mental concomitant/states/content of consciousness which we must be aware of.

  13. Brother Song shares his cultivation experience where he has heightened awareness and understanding of the Dharma. He saw bright lights and was aware of birds flying above his head.

  14. Brother Teoh rejoiced with Brother Song’s progress but cautioned him against attaching to the manifestation (the bright light) which is just a conditioned state. Clinging will block progress.

  15. At feeling, understand the cause so that the mind does not stir and one will then have self restraint.

  16. Sister Soo asked why she has no feeling and thoughts during her spiritual trip to India. She also asked why she has so much aversion to beggars.

  17. Brother Teoh explained that her mind was suppressed through faith. If she has relaxed into it, it will change into a free mind. As for the beggars, there must be understanding to overcome the aversion.

Outline short notes for Sunday class dated 7th April 2019

Brother Teoh’s transcript book: Cultivating the Bodhisattva Way, pages 62-

  1. We are all connected in existence. Everything is interdependent. Our nature contributes to what the universe is today.

  2. The egoic mind that separates us from the Whole causes us suffering. Enlightened Beings can see clearly this reality of life, i.e. no mark and are conditions arising.

  3. Law of independence = Karma – due to causes and conditions.

  4. Explanation of 5 Daily Contemplation.

  5. Accept karma. Don’t react to karma with negativity. Develop the right view. Follow the Noble Eightfold Path to resolve the problem. When one understands this, one is liberated. If this is not understood, one will suffer or be miserable. With the Dharma, life is beautiful.

  6. We cannot help everyone all the time. When there is no condition, nothing can be done. When there is condition, help can be offered.

  7. Relationship is important only for the form and mind.

  8. Buddhahood is the completion of the cultivation of the Bodhisattva Path.

  9. Cultivate and investigate the Dharma to have the understanding life after life to break karmic obstruction.

  10. Do no play the game of suffering, i.e. cocoon oneself in wrong thoughts or holding to thoughts of previous negative experiences like phobia, sorrow which impacted on them – re-playing these negative memories again and again through thoughts or speech. Need to be aware of this and abandon this habit.

  11. Whenever we are not happy, there are defilements. One is caught in cocoon of wrong thoughts and is miserable.

  12. Question from Sister PG: How to establish affinity with Great Beings besides invoking power of merits?

  13. Brother Teoh explained that we can also pay respect with faith or call/chant name of the Great Beings.

  14. Brother Teoh went through the Q&A section of the Klang talk on understanding meditation where Sister Jeanne’s son asked whether anapanasati as taught by the Buddha is a technique or a meditation.

  15. Meditation is to train the mind to be heedful to cultivate the Noble Eightfold Path (N8FP).

  16. Heedfulness is to be ever mindful and constantly meditative of the N8FP.

  17. The cultivation of the 4 Foundation of Mindfulness (after overcoming covetousness and grief) is the only way for the purification of beings, for overcoming of sorrow and lamentation and to realise enlightenment:

    (1) First foundation – Kayanupassana or mindfulness of the physical body

      • To train the mind to be mindful, the Buddha recommends us to start with anapanasati which is just a method and technique that serve as an initial skillful means to train the mind to be mindful so that it does not wander off and be lost in thoughts.

      • After anapanasati is developed, do not continue it any more. Move to daily mindfulness (sati sampajanna) of the 4 postures.

      • Then later move to mindfulness of all movements in between the 4 postures to reach stability of mindfulness, to see our mental intentions and to understand the spiritual teachings.

(2) Second foundation – vedananupassana or mindfulness of feelings

(3) Third foundation – cittanupassana or mindfulness of the content of consciousness

(4) Fourth foundation – dhammanupassana or mindfulness of the essential dhamma

      • Mindfulness of 5 mental hindrances and spiritual faculties

      • Mindfulness of 5 aggregates of form and mind

      • Mindfulness of 6 internal sense bases and 6 external sense bases

      • Mindfulness of of the 4 Noble Truths (N8FP is the last Noble Truth)

Thank you.

With metta always,

xxx

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Bro Teoh’s 11 April  2019 Thursday class

Dear Kalyanamittas,
Enclosed below are the audio and short notes links to our 11 April  2019 Thursday class for sharing by all.
Bye! and with metta always,
Teoh
Dear Phey Yuen and all,
Below is the above edited outline short notes for sharing by all.

Short Notes for Brother Teoh’s April 11 2019 Thursday class  

  1. Brother Teoh encouraged kalyanamittas to report their meditation as by reporting you can be guided in your understanding and others can learn too. When you can be mindful and heedful throughout the day, it can help you settle down very fast during your formal meditation. Anapanasati is developed very fast too. It is normal for thoughts to arise if you still have mental hindrances but if you are aware of them through understanding you will not be affected by it or drawn into it. Just let things be and relax then the thoughts will slow down until mind returns to its original state ofsilent inner awareness.
  2. Sister Eng Bee reported her meditation as follows: during sitting her mind was clear and she was mindful and aware most of the time. There was hardly any thoughts. Her awareness was very clear. Then she recall her intention to ask Bro Teoh a question.
  3. Brother Teoh explained that before you meditate, you already have the intention to ask that question, that is how it can condition such thoughts to arise. This is termed as subtle ‘accumulation’. As you have the intention to ask that question, it is already in your memory or subconscious mind. When you are quiet, these thoughts then arise as response to memory. As you meditate, you will be able to see other thoughts that you have held on to unknowingly from your heedless living. Just a little attention given to a thought or any life situation, due to habitual tendencies, it goes into your subconscious and gets accumulated, which then arise later on when there is conditions. But when you are aware with understanding, it does not get accumulated.
  4. Meditation is to train the mundane mind in sati then to stabilize it to realize Passaddhi (the tranquility and stillness of mind). Passaddhi needs to be very stable so that you are always aware even after you are out of your formal meditation. When your mind enters sati, everything you do, you are in sati. Your hearing, seeing, smell, taste, touch, etc. are all in sati. When this happens it is important that practitioners do not fall intocomplacency. Instead develop continuity of mindfulness i.e. to master the skill to do it consistently even after the meditation retreat. Thus agood daily religious routine is essential to stabilize our cultivation. When there is clarity in every sense experience, there is no accumulation butonly a flow of pure awareness within life. There is joy arising due to the clarity and understanding, but if you are not careful it can lead to complacency. The mind is just aware most of the time. Aware, aware, aware…
  5. When you are still under training, precepts are important to keep because you reap what you sow and you must not be complacent or getoverexcited when you experience some good results. You can share with others but only on what you understand and experience. To realizefruition of cultivation, the cultivator needs further contemplation andreflection. Fruition gives rise to understanding that enabling you to share with others easily. Prior to this, you only understand but could not express it clear to others as yet. As you cultivate, sharing arises by itself after your understanding has stabilized. Unless you have cultivated before in the past, you would have to go through the normal cultivation process step by step. You can only understand up to the level you have developed them in the past. From there, you will continue with your cultivation to progress accordingly following the training established.
  6. Master Hui Neng heard the truth of: ‘the mind must have no dwelling’ and awaken right away. This can only happen to those who have developed their past understanding.
  7. Buddha says “heedfulness is the path to the deathless, heedlessness is the path to the dead. The heedful do not die, the heedless are as if dead.” With heedfulness, you can see the arising of thought and if you are caught by it, you can come out of it if you are aware and heedful. You can also develop the ability to see your subtle accumulation and attachment to sense experiences, if you are ever mindful.
  8. Human beings have given undue importance to many small things in life and end up accumulating these things via their own likes and dislikes,thus making them restless and agitated most of the time. But withheedfulness and yoniso manasikara, the mind develops wisdom and does not stir anymore thus it can be at peace with whatever life situation. There is joy in life, no more panicking/reacting/getting overexcited. You understand the causes and conditions behind all these emotional arisingbecause you do things with awareness/sati. Thus you are able to live theheedful life from moment to moment and have clarity of mind to understand deeply the dhamma arising while in midst of life itself.
  9. True dhamma can only be realized while in the midst of life itself, not from theory in the book which are mere words, concepts and thoughts. The dhamma on the 3 evil roots of Greed, Hatred and Delusion are usually taught as words and concepts whereas in real cultivation youexperience them and you are fully aware of them while in real life without words. When you can ‘see’ them arising within your form and mind and how they make you evil – that is true cultivation. No more theoretical dhamma. Just like the finger pointing at the moon – the finger is not the moon. To realize the moon one must gaze beyond the finger. Similarly the dhamma points to truth. To realize the truth one must not cling to the dhamma which are mainly words. Real dhamma only arisewhen your daily mindfulness is very stable. When you can ‘see’ it clearly in life you transformed from within, leading to real awakening. Then you will come to understand that life itself is our greatest teacher for things are just the way they are and Truth which is beyond word is everywhere. Living beings tend to use words which tend to camouflage the real seeing.
  10. Before the views, conditioning and thoughts get involved, you can see thing as it is. But your memory’s views, opinions and conditioningintervene very fast to distort your pure seeing. All that you know areknowledge, words and concepts arising through memory and thoughtsand these are not real understanding. The real understanding lies inknowing their movements leading to the understanding of the law of dependent origination or 12 links (paticca samuppada) teaching.
  11. Dhamma is an understanding which is not rigid – unlike knowledge because everything is in a state of flux and Life is always a dynamic flow which is not static. Hence it can only be understood via wisdom.

  12. Hey no you, hey no me. As you awaken through daily mindfulness you will know this very deeply through wisdom and not mere words. Later on the mundane mind collapses, resulting in real seeing with clarity from ones nature. (Brother Teoh shared his experience on this). Please do listento the audio recording to develop the clear, beautiful and deep understanding of the dhamma shared on that night.
  13. Thought is limited and egoic. Pure Awareness shrinking into a small spaceto form a thought upon perception by the mundane mind. The small space receives the content of consciousness (memories, views, opinions and conditioning) inputted via our brain to form a thought. Thesubconscious and the unconscious have all the trapped phobias, scars of memories, insecurities, etc. accumulated previously. These then trigger off fear and causes suffering. BUT you are the pure awareness beyond the thoughts, that spacious awareness without a center.  So who fear? What fear?
  14. Insecurity is not easy to root out because it is tied to the self and onesnon understanding of the law of karma. Why are you insecure? Thought which is egoic tends to project itself and creates insecurity via the atta (self). Understand that Law of karma only manifests through conditions so we should trust our karma to give us real security. Thus without such understanding, the sense of insecurity will be there. It is a false conceptwhich deluded living beings cling on to. Wisdom is needed to root this out.
  15. You need to cultivate until your awareness is so clear and stable that you can see the subtle greed, hatred and delusion that arise. Only then youcan root them out through wisdom. They come through mental accumulation borne of self-delusion. Whatever you give meaning to, you will accumulate. With strong daily mindfulness and understanding, there and then we are able to see it clearly.
  16. It is only a thought and thought arises and passes away very quickly so how come it has power to make you feel so miserable and unhappy? It is because the user of thought is deluded. It arises wrong thoughts tocondition your fear, worry, anxiety and all the other negative emotionsleading to suffering. However by contemplating the beautiful dhamma to understand how all these come about, you will have wisdom leading tomore joy, peace, calmness, contentment, metta, faith in the triple gem, good spiritual faculties and wholesome mind states borne of right thoughts. We will become more respectful and appreciative of life and we will have more space between thoughts leading to more moment of awareness and quietness of mind.
  17. Contentment, gratitude and an appreciative mind are good virtues. When you can appreciate life and what your loved ones and nature have given you (their love and their sacrifices) you will not complain anymore. When you have contentment in life, you do not compare and crave for more things hence you will be have less suffering and more happiness as you are already contented and more at peace. Your mind becomes beautiful. You are grateful to others who have helped you. These are virtues of true cultivators.
  18. Sister Eng Bee further shared that she was aware of all the many external vibrations caused by heavy rain and internal sensations of her body like her heartbeats etc. As her awareness (without words) was very clear, herunderstanding suddenly came allowing her to understand clearly that ‘all things arise due to conditions’ and they are all dependent originating. She then did the lying down meditation.
  19. Brother Teoh explained that lying down meditation is good as it frees your energy build up. This will make you more aware with much clarity then all things flow as it is and you will understand condition arising, causal phenomena very clearly. When there is contact at the sense bases, sense consciousness arise. This is condition arising. All phenomena exhibit these characteristics: Empty nature, impermanence and non-self. The form and mind is like a mechanical thing. In every movement of awareness there is no one there. In the seeing, there is only the seeing consciousness, no one to see. Same with thought, hearing, smelling, taste and tactile feeling. All these are condition arising/causal phenomena. Hence there is no permanent unchanging entity within. A lot of things will happen when you have a stable daily mindfulness. Not until your daily mindfulness has stabilized the real meditation has not started yet.
  20. The Buddha said, ‘strive on with heedfulness’ for Heedfulness (ever mindful and constantly meditative) is the path to the deathless. As you are aware with more clarity, wisdom will arise and when your heartbeat starts to slows down trust your nature and let your awareness be. Yourvibrations will become more refined. You will detect the gateway to your nature. The Yin and Yang energies will melts and flows through your gateway to your nature as pure energy. This pure energy will opens up the nadi (minor chakras) and major chakras. When this happens, do not do anything but just silent, relax and trust the nature to do. Don’t allow the thought to interfere with your meditation. The by-product is gas. Your body system is cleansed. Pure awareness shines forth. This wisdom energy can cause the mundane mind to collapse as the mundane mind istoo gross to exist in this field of fine wisdom energy. Bro Teoh shared his above experiences in fairly great detail that night. For more detail please listen to his this audio file.

  21. Awakening can happen if you listen attentively with a silent mind. Brother Teoh shared that his nature came into this world with his past vows, aspirations and cultivation thus able to understand all these. For you all to be born as humans during Buddha sasana also show that you all have your past cultivation. Brother Teoh shared that one of his very unique aspirations was to realize the highest wisdom possible whenever his nature arise.
  22. In the Diamond sutra it is stated that merits accrued by those who understand its 4 stanzas and able to share them with the world is very high and very rare. To realize ones true nature (which is without thought) is very important. Enlightenment is always spontaneous and the moment you understand you awaken. It does not take time.  Either you awaken and understand or you don’t.
  23. True mind is without thought whereas mundane mind is full of imagesand thinking. 
  24. Brother Teoh confirmed Sister Eng Bee’s understanding that ‘all the conditioned phenomena must cease for the unconditioned to arise’. Form and Mind must cease for the realization of nibbana to arise. When it happens, the 3 areas of main consciousness at the brain, heart and Tan Tien areas returns to the gateway and shut down. It returns to the nature and completely ceases. Pure awareness is also gone. But you are not dead. There is no word to describe this. When you come out of that cessation, the 3 area of consciousness arise again. This whole process is seen clearly by the form and mind that realize that cessation. According to Brother Teoh cessation happened many times: once while in Cameron Highlands, a few times at home and once in New Zealand when he meditated with his last teacher at his house in Hamilton. (Above draft was prepared by Sister Phey Yuen)

Bye! and with metta always,

Teoh
Posted on

Bro Teoh’s 9 April  2019 Tuesday class

Dear Kalyanamittas,
Enclosed below are the audio and short notes links to our 9 April  2019 Tuesday class for sharing by all.
Dear Sister Yoon Chun and all,
Enclose below is the edit outline short notes for sharing by all.
Brother Teoh’s Apr 9 2019 Tuesday Class Short Notes

Book Reference: The Buddha and His Teachings –WHAT IS IT THAT IS REBORN?Chapter 29, Page 453 – 454)

  1. Apart from the 5 Aggregates or Mind & Matter, there is NO eternal Soul,or a permanent Unchanging Entity. Buddhism refutes the theory of an Almighty and all-powerful God. If that was so, we should be living in a Utopia, without all the nature’s disasters, diseases, problems, conflict, fighting, wars and suffering in this World. This was corroborated by a very famous and popular Physicist, Steven Hawkins too. His rationale is that if a Creator God did exist, then how did he come into existence and what was he doing before he created the World and Man?
  2. So, what is reborn? What dies and Who dies? Death is just the separationof the consciousness from the form (body) after the death consciousness has occurred. The physical form which consist of the 4 elements will disintegrates and go the way of nature at Death. The rebirth consciousness which immediately occur  after the death consciousnesswill seeks out another body (a new form and mind or segmented life) to start another life according to the law of karma. Technically, No one is reborn because the new form and mind is  dependent originating and it is not a permanent unchanging entity. It is connected to our karmic nature but it is not us. It is just a karmically conditioned form and mind (‘vehicle and tool’) for us to come to this existential world to live life. It is the craving force that binds the consciousness to a Form for life to exist.
  3. We should make our own investigations into such matters with our Silent Mind or with our True Nature. Through proper meditation we will gain understanding of the truth and come to realize who and what we are clearly.
    (The above draft short notes is prepared by Sister Hooi Yoon Chun).

Bye! with metta always,

Teoh
Posted on

Bro Teoh’s 4 April  2019 Thursday class

Dear Kalyanamittas,
Enclosed below are the audio and short notes links to our 4 April  2019 Thursday class for sharing by all.
Bye! and with metta always,
Teoh
From: Teoh Kian Koon <teohkiankoon@hotmail.com></teohkiankoon@hotmail.com>
Sent: 10 April 2019 08:50
Subject: Re: Thursday class April 4th 2019 short notes

Dear Sister Angie and all,
Sadhu! to you for your below draft. Enclose herewith is the edited outline short notes for sharing by all.

Outline Short Notes for Brother Teoh’s April 4th Thursday class

1.       Meditation is to train the mind to be heedful. When the 5 spiritual faculties are developed, you can just straight away meditate. Relax and be aware to realizethe silent mind (which is the meditative mind).

2.       First step towards wisdom is to be aware. The moment you are without thought you are already aware. When you are aware that you are heedless (no longer aware), at that moment, there is mindfulness and awareness. This is what sati is. Or in the words of J Krishnamurti, ‘the awareness of inattention is attention’.

3.       With this awareness, you can understand how you function as a human being and how you get lost in thought. It is through all this understanding that you can get to know what you are (the 5 aggregates of form and mind) and who you are. See that clearly: ‘When you are without wisdom, the 3 evil roots of greed hatred and delusion are actively conditioning the wrong thoughts to cause you problems in life’. Without the 5 spiritual faculties of saddha, viriya, sati, samadhi and panna, the opposite 5 mental hindrances will arise to hinder your mind from enter the meditative state of inner peace and inner awareness.

4.       Mind that is collected and unwavering has samadhi and samadhi can prevents the mind from stirring. With sati and samadhi, you can see things as they areand awaken to the reality of the moment, before the conditioning, views and opinions from memory come in to intervene/interfere with our seeing. Wisdom arises. Without the spiritual faculties and the understanding of the dhamma, mental hindrances will arise causing the mind to react and stir. Pleasant and unpleasant sense experiences (which are the first 2 mental hindrances) will then arise within your mental states. Without viriya, you will feel lethargic to meditate. Without sati, Samadhi and wisdom, you will have restlessness of mind, hence your lack of peace.

5.       Real meditation can only starts when ones daily mindfulness is very stable. You need to be heedful and use the ever mindful state to cultivate the noble eightfold path. To progress you need to constantly meditate via having a good religious routine and a very stable daily mindfulness. At the same time constantly reflect and contemplate to straighten your view. Your life is your greatest teacher. The truth is within yourself.  You will then understand who you are, what you are and how you function as a human being via the wisdom developed. This is what meditation is all about.

6.       With awareness, you have space between thoughts i.e. clarity, silence and hence peaceful of mind. The moment you are aware of your negative thoughts and heedless thinking, the momentum of these negative thoughts to continue the habitual thinking breaks. When there is space between thoughts the conditioned mind can break free. Thus when you are constantly aware, the heedless thinking mind fails to have power over you.
7.       Because of heedlessness, human beings tend to react to situations due to their habitual tendencies borne of wrong views. The conditioned mundane mind pulls you into negativity and it is this deluded mundane mind that lives your life. As you realize the unreality of form and mind, you can then straighten your view to break free. 

8.       Meditation as taught by the Buddha: is to develop a stable sati to see things as they are to insight into the 3 universal characteristics of anicca, dukkha and anatta to develop the wisdom to free our mind. No more delusion or suffering. Relax into whatever mind states (whether pleasant or unpleasant) that arise. Know that this like and dislikes are due to your mundane mind’s conditioning and habitual tendencies. After having awaken to this understanding and wisdom, you can transform your life for the better. You will have morewholesome mind states that arise via your new heedful way of living which are so different from those of your past rather unwholesome mind states borne of heedless living. 

 

9.       The true mind is the tranquil and still mind in pure awareness without thought and such a mind – can awaken to the 3 universal characteristics of impermanence, suffering state and non-self or empty nature of existence.

10.   Without wisdom, maras may come and attack you, making you miserable. Most human beings merely existed through life because they are only conscious of life and they are hardly mindful and aware within. But when you are constantly aware, you truly live life.
11.   If you do not know who you are, what you are, then who is living your life? Thedeluded thought is living your life. Beforethoughts arise, our nature is just pure awareness, the true mind (or spacious awareness without a center). When you perceive something, a thought arise. From spacious awareness, you zoom into a limited space to perceive something to arise the thought. After you perceive, you input the content of consciousness following your views and opinions. Thought is pure awareness with its content of consciousness. That is how the 5 mental aggregates of form and mind arise.

12.   This thought is limited because after you focus, thought arise within this small limited space. This limited and egoic thought cannot see the whole and is incapable of awareness. This thought is not you but merely a dependent originating (or condition arising) thought entity.

13.   Upon contact of mind with the sense bases, you can become conscious of what you see, smell, taste, tactile feeling and think. With proper meditativeunderstanding you will understanding that this thought is not you. But when you think they are you, self-delusion sets in. Wrong thoughts cause your lack of peace. The 3 evil roots of greed, hatred, delusion, which comes from your accumulated memories of good and bad experiences are all embedded deep in your subconscious and unconscious. Most deluded people tend to hold onto their negative emotions thus creating more wrong thoughts and suffering. The main cause of suffering is attachment, clinging and craving borne of self-delusion. Thus if you do not know who you are, you can be deluded by these thoughts. These wrong thoughts then live your life.

14.   The 5 mental aggregates of body and mind (feeling, perception, mental states, mental form and consciousness) arise and pass away but you did not die. Hence they are not you. You are the pure awareness which is beyond the form and mind.

15.   Brother Danny, after our recent retreat at Cameron Highlands shared a book by Paul Ferrini. From John Bradshaw’s commentary on Paul Ferrini’s Heal Your Life books – it is mentioned that Paul Ferrini’s work is a must read for all people who are ready to take responsibility for their own healing. From Larry Dossey’s commentary on his work – Paul Ferrini is a modern day Kahlil Gibran, a poet, mystic, visionary, teller of truth.

16.   Excerpt from Paul Ferrini’s book: “Silence is the essence of the heart. You cannot be in the heart unless you are in forgiveness of yourself and others. You cannot be in the heart if you are worried or angry. You cannot be in the heart if your breathing is shallow or labored. When the breath is labored, thinking is driven by fear and anxiety. Your mind-states are rooted in the past or future. Unless you return to the heart, you cannot see with compassion. And one who does not see with compassion does not see accurately. All that is perceived is a fabrication, a hyperbole. It simply feeds your boredom or anxiety.”

17.   Brother Teoh further explained that when you forgive others you free yourselfbecause when you forgive others your hatred, envy and jealousy (evil roots)are gone (or rooted out) hence your heart is free. Brother Teoh also did not quite agree with Paul Ferrini’s statement on ‘silence is the essence of theheart’. To be more precise, it should be ‘silence is the essence of our nature or true mind’ – it has nothing to do with the heart. Instead the heart is where theconscience resides. There is also a gateway to our nature within our heart. The conscience comes from our nature. It can only arise when we are withoutthought. You need to be mindful enough to know it. When you are silent in your heart, you can be mindful and aware.

18.   Excerpt from Paul Ferrini’s book: “When you return to the heart, you abide in the silence from which all sound comes. Like a boat on the ocean you feel the waves swell beneath you. You move with the waves, but you know you are not the waves. Thoughts come and go, yet you know you are not the thoughts. You abide with the ebb and flow of the ride, moving in and out, feeling the contraction and expansion of thought. Beneath the thinking mind is a pure, non-judgmental awareness. When you discover the awareness, you fall into the heart. Then giving and receiving are effortless.” Meditation is effortless because the last support is truth and all true meditation is by the true mind which is without thought.

19.   As you understand who and what you are, it is essential to do the 5 daily contemplations (I am subject to aging; I am subject to illness; I am subject to death; I will separate from all that is dear and appealing to me; I am the owner of my actions. Whatever I do, for good or for evil, to that will I fall heir) as taught by the Buddha.

20.   You make use of this body and mind (as a vehicle and tool) for you to live life. Even when you know this is not you, you need to do your duty in life because this form and mind is subject to karma.

21.   The pure nature cannot come out and live life, but everything arises from there. Thus you can only truly live life when you are with the awareness and not when you are constantly lost in thought.

(Above draft short notes is by Sister Angie Chong)

Date: 4 April 2019

Posted on

Bro Teoh’s dhamma talks on You-tube and new dhamma videos 

Dear Kalyanamittas,
Thanks to Bro Chin How and those kalyanamittas who had helped him (especially  Sister Christy) to do up the above videos. These videos are taken mainly during our recent Cameron Highlands 9 days meditation retreat. Some are taken during our Thursday and Tuesday classes. Maha Sadhu! to them all.
I am pleased to forward herewith the You-tube link to his dhamma videos as below for sharing by all:
From: Teoh Kian Koon <teohkiankoon@hotmail.com></teohkiankoon@hotmail.com>
Sent: 06 April 2019 03:29

Due to some unforeseen circumstance I am sorry to announce that *broteoh.com is temporary close for further maintenance* .  We hope we can reopen it in a week time.

Meanwhile Bro Teoh dharma talks on Youtube are not affected and new videos will publish to the group soon. Sadhu🙏. Below is the link to his Dhamma videos taken for sharing by all:

Posted on

Bro Teoh’s 2 April 2019 Tuesday class sharing

Dear Kalyanamittas,
Enclosed below are the audio and short notes links to our 2 April  2019 Tuesday class for sharing by all.
Bye! and with metta always,
Teoh
From: Teoh Kian Koon <teohkiankoon@hotmail.com></teohkiankoon@hotmail.com>
Sent: 05 April 2019 15:36

Dear Sister Yoon Chun and all,
Enclosed are the above edited outline short notes for sharing by all.

Brother Teoh’s April 2 2019 Tuesday Class Short Notes

 Book Reference: The Buddha and His Teachings – HOW REBIRTH TAKES PLACE    Chapter 28, Page 446 – 451)

 1. At the point of death, the good and bad deeds or thoughts that occurred during a person’s life time or immediately before his death (habitual actions) determines where he will be reborn. This is usually the case unless he has committed one of the 5 heavy kamma or the 5 heinous actions (Garuka Kamma) which are killing one’s parents, hurting a Buddha, causing schism in the sangha community. The very strong good action is being in Jhana. These 5 heavy kamma and such strong mind states override all other actions to determine rebirth destination.

 2. Signs/vision of habitual tools used like knife of surgeons or butchers or food for dana may appear to the dying person. These are Kamma Nimitta. He may also see symbols of destiny (Gati Nimitta) like fire, forest, mountains, mother’s womb or celestial mansions, etc.

3. Towards the end, his Bhavanga & mind door consciousness are interrupted & pass away, leaving 5 very weak thought moments to condition & regulate rebirth. After this last thought or death consciousness (Cuti Citta) death occurs. The Wind element of the Body dissipates first, then heat, water and lastly earth. The body finally turns into Dust. The remnant of consciousness then leaves the physical body immediately after the craving force that held it to the bodydissipates.

 4. The gender of the new being is determined by kamma.

5. Bro Teoh mused that women with higher average mortality age tend to live longer than men and asked for the possible reasons. The responses are women tend to have higher pain threshold and they experience less stress as they are usually housewife or simple career ladies.  They also like to express their displeasure more easily (to reduce their discomfort) because they are more emotional and they also takes less risks thus have fewer worries. They have more love because they can sacrifice for their loved ones.

 (Above short notes draft prepared by Sister Yoon Chun)

With metta always,
Teoh
Posted on

Bro Teoh’s 28 March 2019 Thursday class sharing

Dear Kalyanamittas,
Enclosed below are the audio and short notes links to our 28 March 2019 Thursday class for sharing by all.
With metta always,
Teoh
From: Teoh Kian Koon <teohkiankoon@hotmail.com></teohkiankoon@hotmail.com>
Sent: 04 April 2019 05:59
To: Pheyyuen Chong
Subject: Re: Bro Teoh’s March 28th 2019 Thursday class 

Dear Angie Chong,
Below are the above 28 March 2019 Thursday class edited outline short notes for sharing by all.

Short Notes for Brother Teoh 28 March 2019 Thursday class Talk

  1. Sister Tammy asked that in her daily life, she realized that even though her mind is relatively calm and mindful, there is still thoughts arising. She sometimes still gets involved in it. She is aware of her aversion or dislike when these thoughts arise. She is also aware when she has been distracted by the thoughts.
  2. Brother Teoh shared that when you are aware, the mind actually separates from this thoughts. There is aversion because you still perceivethose thoughts negatively. Meditation is to develop the ability to silentthe mind while in the meditative state to develop the wisdom and understanding needed for awakening. Whatever mind states that arises, you just relax into it first, regardless of whether you like it or don’t like it. These likes and dislikes are your habitual response due to your conditioning.
  3. As you stabilize your awareness, your mind becomes calm and it will startto experience piti leading to sukha. As you relax further into it, the mind will become very quiet and tranquil. If you continue to silent and relax your mind, you will finally develop passaddhi (the tranquility and stillness of mind).
  4. Those who go into adsorption and one pointedness samatha concentration also experience piti and sukha. Experiencing these jhanic factors, the energy field built up is strong, some use it for psychic powers. Some also use to radiate loving kindness and metta. Thought based energy is still within the field of thought, as such it cannot brings about wisdom and if you don’t know how to use, it can give rise to problem due to yin yang imbalance. Without wisdom they can be deceived by maras too.
  5. If you can relax and maintain your awareness, whatever that arise can give rise to understanding/wisdom. With understanding, you will know why you behave in such a way due to your views, opinions, belief system and conditioning. It is the accumulated views and opinions that cause your likes and dislikes. But with awareness, you will understand and you are able to break the pattern. Key word is relax and be aware. You will reach a point where you are aware naturally (mind enters sati).
  6. Life itself is our greatest teacher, all that arise within our own form and mind is our teacher for us to develop self-knowledge leading to wisdom. This is basically what meditation is all about.
  7. By straightening your views, you will understand and be aware when greed, hatred and delusion arise. As you cultivate more awareness, there is less stirring of mind, more sati, you are more peaceful and calmer. With strong daily mindfulness, there is heedful living.
  8. As you contemplate the truth, there is understanding.  The moment any thought arises, the yonisomanasikara (the initial wisdom developed after straightening your views), will come out and guide you. You see your thoughts and know whether you have been lost in thought or not. When you are aware that you are lost in thought, you must not develop the aversion but instead accept it via wisdom to relax into it. When you can do that the momentum of thinking breaks, you can then be free of its conditioning. So when you meditate just silent, relax and be aware.
  9. This awareness will slow down and follow your heartbeat, then as you continue to relax and silent, the mind becomes very quiet until there is no more movement. Mind is still. No observer at all but just awareness itself.
  10. With meditation, you hardly dream. If you dream, it is usually only thebalance of subconscious and unconscious releases. In the deep state of sleep, any hidden phobia or fear are released. After they are fully released, there is no such dreams anymore.
  11. When you are in your subconscious state, you may not know about the trapped phobias, thus believing your fears/thoughts. But the moment you understand, you can root them out. No need to fear or suppress it. They can be rooted out through wisdom. These phobias are released with wisdom while in the meditative state.
  12. Initial wisdom developed through hearing, contemplation and reflection (the 1st and 2nd turnings wisdom) is very important. When there is sati sampajanna (developed via a very stable daily mindfulness), there is morespace between thoughts and quietness and calmness of mind can be felt more frequently. Then the cultivator can break free from their thoughts conditioning. Space between thoughts is wisdom energy. This is the true mind. When wisdom increases, vibration becomes more refined. The Mundane mind will finally collapse when it is too gross to exist within that fine vibration environment. Your awareness will then just shines forth thereafter. It is the mundane mind that obscures your true mind. When you are lost in thoughts and preoccupied with the thinking and the emotions, you will become heedless and there is no chance for the awareness to shine forth.
  13. The book, ‘Understanding the Heart and the Mind’ explains the karmic force and the gateway to your nature.
  14. Your mind is like a garden, thus take good care of this garden by planting only the good seeds of wholesomeness (all the right thoughts of gratitude, generosity, goodness, gentleness, pleasantness, love, compassion and wisdom, virtue, kindness, contentment and respect, etc. instead of planting weeds (the unwholesome wrong thoughts of anger, hatred, envy, jealousy, enmity, vengeance, sorrow and lamentation, fear, worry and anxiety, etc.) to conditioned our suffering. The moment you are heedful, you will be ever mindful, then you can meditate and wisdom will unfold.
  15. When you know how to meditate, wisdom will be there. Withoutmindfulness, there is no heedfulness. Thus you must always be mindful to develop the spiritual faculties and the meditation. The moment you are relax and just aware (without thought), there is sati. You then stabilize itand use it to cultivate Noble Eightfold path (leading to heedfulness). Withwisdom developed you can straighten your views and all other essentialdhamma will then fall into place. There is understanding of who you are and what you are. You see clearly the evil roots of greed, hatred and delusion. You can then cultivate the 4 right efforts to constantly purifyyour thoughts, speech and actions leading to the 3 ways of right conducts. This is how the whole cultivation can be developed resulting in joy and transformation.
  16. The mundane mind will be a good tool for you to use. No more wrong thoughts controlling your life. Instead you are the master of your own thoughts. You use the 4 right efforts to root out the unwholesome thoughts. After that there is sense restraint leading to the 3 ways of right conducts and the cultivation of the 4 foundations of mindfulness. The 7 factors of enlightenment will keep arising.
  17. With sincerity you never deviate. Perseverance and faith drives you on to cultivate. You will then understand the whole cultivation and awakening processes. With faith and constant diligent contemplation & reflection the initial wisdom (yonisomanasikara) follows suit resulting in sati sampajanna.

(Above short notes is by Sister Angie Chong)

With metta always,

Teoh
Posted on

Bro Teoh’s 26 March 2019 Tuesday class sharing

Dear Kalyanamittas,
Below are the audio and short notes links to our 26 March 2019 Tuesday class for sharing by all.
With metta always,
Teoh
From: Teoh Kian Koon <teohkiankoon@hotmail.com></teohkiankoon@hotmail.com>
Sent: 29 March 2019 02:41
Subject: Re: Tuesday Class 26 March 2019 outline short notes
Dear Sister Yoon Chun and all,
Below is the above edited outline short notes for sharing by all.

Brother Teoh’s  March 26 2019 Tuesday Class Short Notes. Book Reference: The Buddha and His Teachings – PLANES OF EXISTENCE Chapter 27, Page 435 – 444)

1.      There are 31 planes of existence which beings manifest according to their moral and immoral kamma. Of these planes, 4 are states of unhappiness or Kama Dugati and they are:

Hell realm, with endless suffering,

Hungry ghosts (Peta) realm, dominated by greed. Can only receive merits transferred from their relatives (Tirokudda Sutta)

Animal realm, dominated by ignorant.

Asuras or demon realm, dominated by anger.

2.      The Happy planes (Kama Sugati) are:

Human Realm with both happiness and pain

6 heavenly realms – abode of devas

  (Together with the 4 unhappy planes, they are known as KAMALOKA, sensual realms or planes)

3.      Brahma Realms -16 realms of Rupaloka, resided by those who practise jhana      

4.      Arupaloka (formless) Realms

5.      Sis Padmasuri enquired which plane would those taking the Bodhisattva vows be reborn.

Bro Teoh replied that they can be reborn in any realm but they prefer mainly either the human, animal or deva realms.

 6.      Sis Han asked if it is easier to meditate without form. Logically there is no suffering without form. But devas enjoy life so much that they normally don’t have the conditions to think of cultivating.

  7.      Sis Adeline shared a little about her experiences during the recent Cameron Highlands Retreat. 
8.      Bro Teoh commented that the 5th patriarch taught that All Dhammas arise from Self Nature and we have to know how to use our mind (especially our mundane mind) but not be deceived or deluded by it.
(Above draft is by Sister Yoon Chun)

With metta always,
Teoh
Posted on

Bro Teoh’s 12 March 2019 Tuesday class sharing

Dear Kalyanamittas,
Below are the audio and short notes links to our 12 March 2019 Tuesday class for sharing by all.
Bye! with metta always,
Teoh
From: Teoh Kian Koon <teohkiankoon@hotmail.com></teohkiankoon@hotmail.com>
Subject: Re: Tues class 12 March 2019 outline short Notes

Dear Sister Yoon Chun and all,
Enclosed are the edited outline short notes for sharing by all.
Brother Teoh’s Mar 12 2019 Tuesday Class Short Notes

Book Reference: The Buddha and His Teachings – MODES OF BIRTH & DEATH     (Chapter 26, Page 432 – 434)

1.      Bro Teoh introduced a Mahayana teaching called Sutra on repayment of Kindness (Ullambana Sutra). This sutra relates to Maha Moggallana’s falial piety to rescue her mother who was born in the hunger ghost realm.

According to the Buddha there are 4 types of Kindness which are difficult to repay, viz. kindness by Father, Mother, the Buddha & Dhamma Teachers.

 2.      Sis Chwee enquired how authentic is this sutra since it is not recorded in the Theravada text. Bro Teoh explained that not all Buddha’s teachings were propagated under the Theravada texts. The Mahayana teachings were mainly from some great beings and Bodhisattvas who received them from other source.  One of it is from Tusita heaven when Sakyamuni Buddha was preaching the dhamma to his mother using his transformation body. Fortunately, some teaching were also brought into China by people like the 1st Patriarch of China (Master Bodhidharma) and Kumarajiva and other teachers.
3.      Sis Tammy covered this lesson on the modes of death, via: 
Reproductive Kamma having exhausted

Expiration of Life Term

Both of the above causes occurring simultaneously

Destructive kamma that causes Sudden Death.
                                                                                                                            4.      Modes of birth are either via egg, womb, water or spontaneous rebirth
(Above prepared by Sister Hooi Yoon Chun)

With metta

Teoh
Posted on

Bro Teoh’s 7 March 2019 Thursday class sharing

Dear Kalyanamittas,
Below are the audio and short notes links to our 7 March 2019 Thursday class for sharing by all:
Video on: The 4 Supports for awareness based meditation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=cbozlwbCMw0
Bye! and with metta always,
Teoh
From: Teoh Kian Koon <teohkiankoon@hotmail.com></teohkiankoon@hotmail.com>
Sent: 12 March 2019 03:15
To: Angie Ng
Subject: Re: Short notes for Thursday class MARCH 7 2019

Dear Angie and all,
Enclosed are the above edited outline short notes for sharing by all.

Bro Teoh’s Thursday Meditation class March 7, 2019 Outline short notes

  1. Bro Teoh advised all Kalyanamittas to sincerely (with faith) cultivate the Buddha Dhamma to transform their life for the better and to use their dhamma understanding to live the good life for the benefits of all.
  1. Sis Angie shared that learning to relax is very profound and important in our meditation practice and has helped her see how her body and mind moved as one and has now experience much less tension. Bro Teoh rejoiced and confirmthat the first support for awareness based meditation to  always relax into every mind states that arise during meditation is very important, otherwise one may develop meditative concentration and energy build up, leading to stress, tension and headache. This concentrated and focused mind is a conditioned mind, is not a free mind and will not lead you to wisdom and understanding of who you are and what are you. Only the free mind can allow you to see things as they are to develop the wisdom i.e. having the direct knowledge and vision of the reality to understand the Truth (Nature’s laws that govern all of life and existence) as taught by the Buddha.
  1. Relax is the first of the 4 supports for awareness based meditation:
    • To relax into every mind state that arise. Be at ease so that there is no tension, no suppression, no concentration, no control and focusing of the mind. The relaxed mind is a free mind which is just aware and there is no thought to cloud the true mind and this will allow the mind to enter satiand samadhi (the collected and unwavering free mind).
    • Without thought, you are already aware and you don’t have to doanything to be aware. The natural state of your mind before your heedless thinking and stirring thought process, is actually stillness and tranquility. The reason why most people cannot realize that tranquil silent state of mind is that their thoughts are active throughout the day. Thoughts = mundane mind = thinking mind = conditioned arising or dependent originating mind. Understand this and your meditation will become easy. The mundane mind arises from your mental stirring borne of your own delusion.
    • Aware and silent the mind. Aware means relax and silent – no thinking. Don’t try to do anything. When you are silent, everything will slow downand cease and your original state of mind will return. This is real meditation. The moment you are without thought, your true mind is there. When there is mental activities (stirring of mind), thought arises, the mundane mind arises and there is delusion.
    • When you stabilize your true mind, you develop samadhi and your daily mindfulness will fall into place. Do not belief in what people say or what is shared here too, but inquire, reflect and investigate into all this and find out for yourself to see if this stand up to investigation. That is how you can develop the understanding to straighten our view.
    • 24 hours support means trying to maintain our awareness for as long as we can.
    • Trust your true nature
  1. Bro Teoh also shared the 3 hallmarks of Hui Neng’s teaching which lead directlyto the true mind having: No Thought, No Mark and No Dwelling.
  1. No thought = true mind. Without understanding the true mind, you cannot understand truth. You cannot realize your true mind if your spiritual faculties are not developed. Your mental hindrances prevent you from entering themeditative state of inner peace, inner calmness, well-being and awareness.
  2. The Buddha taught Anapanasati is to help you develop mindfulness of the in and out breath leading to heedfulness. With mindfulness (you are without thought), you will experience piti and joy. With Sati when you investigate the Dhamma(Dhammavicaya), Viriya will arise when the Dhamma stands up to investigation. Viriya will drive you to cultivate further and your Sati will stabilize, then Piti will arise. Then you are supposed to relax into all mind states and maintain awareness then Piti will become more and more refine until it cumulates into Sukha. Continue to relax and your mind will become very quiet and subtle, and the mind enters sati leading to Passaddhi (the tranquility and stillness of mind) which is still, aware and without thought with nothing within. Stabilize it further till the mind is in Samadhi. With Sati, Pasaddhi and Samadhi, you can see things as they are and you will awaken. Wisdom will be developed leading to the arising of the last enlightenment factor of upekkha.
  1. Having dhamma friends -> listening to the true dhamma -> faith in the Triple gem (Buddha and his teaching) -> Yoniso manasikara (initial wisdom) -> Sati Sampajjana (mindfulness and clear comprehension). Sati when stabilize leading to heedfulness. Heedfulness = ever mindful + constantly meditative (cultivating the N8FP). Heedfulness (sati sampajjana) -> develops sense restrain -> develops the 3 ways of right conduct -> cultivate the 4 foundation of mindfulness -> leading to the 7 factors of enlightenment -> true knowledge leading to enlightenment, will fulfil all the 10 steps as stated in the enlightenment cycle of the Avijja Sutta.
  1. The Buddha advice the Kalamas to investigate into all Truth told to them. If it is the truth it will stand up to investigation. It will also bring above more wholesomeness and be conducive for the good life.
  1. Take care of Karma and karma will take care of your life and you will have the good life. Realize the true mind and be awaken to the Truth.
  1. Without thought, you are just aware, and there is no fear, no worry, no anxiety, no sorrow, no lamentation and no problem. You are just calm, peaceful and at ease. This is wonderful living.
  1. Bro Joseph enquired when we are in Sati, is it ok for us to recall the positive and beautiful songs and enjoy them. Bro Teoh thank Joseph for the rather good question because it will give rise to causes and conditions for him to discuss this rather important topic concerning life especially how to live life which many do not understand. As long as you are mindful and you understand, you can listen to nice music and watch the video or any cinema show. You can also have good food if there is condition for you to have them. The only advice by the Buddha isnot to be attached, not to cling and not to have craving. When there is no condition to have them, just accept the reality of it and do not allow the cravingto make you miserable or unhappy.

Human beings problem is, when they recall through  memories their scars of memories, phobias, life’s problem etc. they develop the unnecessary fear,  worry and anxiety instead of resolving them amicably with wisdom and understanding borne of dhamma understanding.

Do not accumulate such psychological memories borne of wrong views. Treat memory like random access memory (RAM) as in a computer, only access them when need to use them. The memory can still be there (inside the brain) but we don’t go and hold onto or cling on to them all the time to arise the unnecessary fear, worry and anxiety. Just be aware and don’t get lost in it and don’t crave for it (if it is something pleasant that you desire/like).

(The above draft outline short notes is by Sister Angie)

With metta always,

Teoh