Can Happiness be found through anything – J Krishnamurti
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Re: Short notes for talk on 8th march 2018
Short Notes for Talk on 8th March
- Bro Teoh informed the Kalyanamittas that 4 new transcript books were recently printed for free distribution. One of them entitled `Importance of having mindfulness and heedfulness to cope with life’s problems and suffering’ (a method of stress release via meditation) was based on his dharma talk dated 23rd June 2013 held in SJBA. This book is very useful especially for those who have depression and suicidal tendencies problems. He further advised the Kalyanamittas to read through the book because it is a very good book.
- Bro Teoh shared certain pages of the book to emphasize the key points of the dharma especially on the importance of mindfulness, heedfulness, the essential dharma and the benefits of meditation in helping resolve ones life’s problems. He often stressed on the need to train the mind and apply mindfulness to live life following the Buddha’s teaching. Mindfulness alone is insufficient but when coupled with the Noble 8fold Path cultivation, it becomes Appamada or heedfulness. When this is cultivated, it will lead to enlightenment and help people (especially those with mental suffering, traumas and suicidal thoughts to overcome their problems).
- After the meditation session, Bro Teoh advised Kalyanamittas not to torture themselves unnecessarily during meditation. If they have learnt how to relax into every mind state that arise, then they will be able to face (or endure) bodily discomfort and pain with ease. If they need to change their posture, then do it mindfully. The agitated or disturbed mind is restlessness instead one should have a peaceful and silent mind to do the meditation.
- Bro Teoh reminded Kalyanamittas that if any of the mental hindrances of sensual desire, ill-will, sloth and torpor has arisen during the sitting meditation, they should just stay with it and be with it. If they can do that, the spiritual faculties of sati will take over. The shift of consciousness will happen and all of a sudden, the sleepiness can completely disappear. Hence, never suppress any mind state that arises. The true mind is originally peaceful and without thought. But, when we become heedless via holding onto the wrong views, the mental hindrances will arise. However, many meditators have been taught by certain traditions to note and label such mind states that arise as, `pain, pain, pain, and thinking, thinking, thing etc. By doing so, they give rise to verbalization and aversion which is a mental hindrance thus hindering the mind from entering the meditative state of inner peace and inner calmness.
- Another advice from Bro Teoh is to use the mind-sweeping method combined with metta to decondition the heedless thinking hence bringing about a peaceful mind state. When the mind is silent and sensitive, even the ticking of the clock and the beating of the heart can be heard distinctly. When the silent mind has entered sati, it can feel the slightest movement or stirring of the mind. Hence, heedfulness can be very well-established. We can see a big difference between a trained and an untrained mind. The mindfulness is so stable that we can see how sense experiences via delusion can condition us to react and stir our mind. All the essential dharma can also be witness and understood when we can see how the mind reacts due to one’s delusion. The awareness can be so stable that we become incapable of any negativity of mind state. As we continue to straighten our views and stabilize our heedfulness, wisdom will keep on arising. Such a mind can insight into phenomena and awaken to the three universal characteristics of impermanent, non-self, empty nature and suffering state. Even the late Chief, K.Sri Dhammananda did mention that the human mind cannot be trusted and when it is subjected to conditions, it can simply react. This shows how important it is for us to train this mind and have wisdom to live life without getting ourselves entangled in problems.
- Bro Jimmy reported that his second meditation experience was so different from the first time. He felt quite sleepy this time and during his sitting, he had a lot of worries as well as images of his colleagues appearing. Bro Teoh advised Bro Jimmy to stay with the sleepy mind state and maintain awareness as far as possible. If mindfulness is sharp, the shift of consciousness can happen. When we are skilful, we can even hear our own snoring and be in a meditative state during our sleep.
- Bro Teoh explained that whatever we give meaning to, we accumulate them into our memories, then it will trigger thoughts to arise for thoughts are response to memory. Thoughts come and go so they are impermanent. But through our greed, hatred and self-delusion, we cling via giving meaning to them, then we accumulate them giving rise to a conglomeration of wrong thoughts. These thoughts will condition us to have fear, worry, anxiety, sorrow and lamentation. Through self-delusion, we think we exist so we become egoic and selfish. Instead of wrong thoughts, we should apply right thoughts of generosity, gratitude, kindness, contentment etc. that bring about joy, harmony and well-being. Bro Teoh hopes that Bro Jimmy can develop a clearer understanding of the dharma by reading the books handed out to him during the session.
(Note : The above Short notes draft was by Puan Chee)
Short notes for WPCS 4th March 2018 Sunday class and Short notes for talk on 1st March 2018
Short notes for WPCS 4th March 2018 Sunday class
- The form and mind goes the way of nature, i.e. they are impermanent and therefore it is empty. If one grasp and cling onto the form and mind, it will lead to suffering. The mundane mind is the mental aspect of the 5 aggregates of form and mind. Feeling changes all the time hence the mind’s fleeting nature.
- All sensual pleasure is a prelude to suffering. Sensual pleasure means pleasure or desire derived from the conditions arising world just like your wealth, title, reputation, loved ones, etc. which are all impermanent.
- The above sentence is true only when one perceives the world with the deluded mundane mind, i.e. with no understanding.
- The above sentence is no longer true if there is understanding because there will be no attachment to the condition world. Understanding will free your mind.
- From Karma point of view, one must understand that our form and mind is subject to karma hence it has its duty towards nature and you can love your loved ones whole heartedly but you must have no attachment towards them.
- Shen Hsiu’s incorrect teaching:
- Dwell with the mind. (By dwelling you make the mundane mind active hence no more silent mind);
- Contemplate stillness. (Implies attachment to the calm state of mind);
- Sit up all the time without lying down. (Not natural and cannot be in a state of relax to develop the daily mindfulness)
The true mind (which is the silent mind in pure awareness) doesn’t dwell. The silent mind is obscured when thought and emotion arise. The conditioned or focus mind in concentration is not free. Mind in Samadhi is free, collected and unwavering.
- Hui Neng’s true teaching:
- Realize the true mind. Work on the true nature, not the body and the mundane mind.
- The true mind does not dwell.
- Not necessary to sit still but be mindful of all actions, movements and anything that arise in the midst of life (daily mindfulness). When you force yourself to sit, it is a conditioned state and there is resistance to the sitting.
The mind dwells when it perceives and when thought focuses on something and input the content of consciousness. However, we need to use the mind to live life, just do not proliferate the arising thoughts. Realise that a lot of the thoughts are unnecessary. Know how to use thoughts with wisdom to arise only the right and wholesome thoughts. Always accord and flow with conditions and act with wisdom following Noble 8-fold path.
- When the mind is calm, it has clarity and it is peaceful and happy. When there is no more mental hindrances, the spiritual faculties of sati will take over and the mind can be in sati to detect the very subtle mind and physical movements.
- Endurance via understanding is non-resistance. Moving to make yourself comfortable is not endurance. Just relax.
- If the mind is silent, nothing will disturb it, not even in the midst of a storm. The mind will not be drawn into any phenomenon. It will not be affected or disturbed by any conditions.
- Factors of enlightenment are: Sati (mindfulness) → Dharmavicaya (Dharma investigation) → Viriya (spiritual zeal) → Piti
- Fantastic meditative experiences and special feelings or sights during meditation should not be mistaken as a sign of progress unless it can give rise to wisdom. Usually it is just nature’s blessings and something to help increase the faith.
Short notes for talk on 1st March 2018
- Today is Chap Goh Meh, the last day of the CNY 2018 celebration. The lunar calendar of the Chinese culture has evolved through careful observation and astronomy. Bro Teoh said, over the last thirty years or so, civilization has evolved and progressed very rapidly. With the understanding of dharma, life can become very meaningful and beautiful. Our present Sasana is also very unique because this is the golden era where the consciousness has evolved beautifully and many cultivators will progress very fast. Bro Teoh mentioned that while surfing the internet recently, he came across a lot of wise people having the ability to share the rather profound teaching of Lao Tzu (Tao Te Ching). Nowadays, the consciousness is so developed that people can understand this great teaching. Bro Teoh shared a video on Master Hsu Yun. The Master mentioned that when you meditate, behave like a ‘dead’ person and continue to develop the silent mind. Even when thoughts arise, do not worry but relax and be at ease. This also explains the opening verse of the Heart Sutra: `观自在菩萨 …. When Bodhisattva at ease (Avalokiteshvara) was cultivating the profound prajna paramita, he illuminated the five skandhas and saw that they are all empty, and he crossed beyond all suffering and difficulty.’ So, the Bodhisattva is always at ease (自在菩萨). Real emptiness is to be awakened to. Technology has given us the opportunity to listen to such profound teachings.
- Bro Teoh emphasized the need to train the mundane mind so that we can use the trained mind state to develop the meditation in the midst of life and be aware every moment, every instant from within. Most human beings are not conscious of life but instead they are constantly lost in thought most of the time via thinking, reacting, planning and worrying about life. Without the dharma, we cannot cope with life. Most people focus and concentrate on what they want to achieve through hard work, striving diligently to be successful. This is the mundane way to develop success. However, the spiritual approach is to train the mind to see things clearly and act via wisdom instead of following what the mind tells us. Acting according to memory is not acting at all because our accumulated memories are either good or bad. When we react to life so often, these habitual tendencies will condition us to be heedless thus hindering the mind from entering the meditative state of inner peace and inner calmness.
- Bro Eric apologized for turning up late for the class. He mentioned that he was very angry during driving leading him to take the wrong way thus arriving late for the class. Bro Teoh make use of Bro Eric’s experience as conditions to share the dharma. When you are angry or unhappy, the evil roots are present, creating conditions for other things to happen. Without clarity and understanding, we will make wrong decisions. The thinking mind reacts very fast bringing about negative mind states that condition negative karma to arise. Anger is a very negative emotion. Bro Eric continued to explain that he had not been listening to the dharma for quite some time. Bro Teoh further explained that the habitual tendencies will arise due to long periods of heedless thinking. This will further condition the mind to `chatter’ and get caught in a cocoon of thoughts. When we are mindful, we are sensitive and aware. So, all these cannot happen. It is important to tell yourself, `I will never allow these ‘evil roots’ to arise no matter what happens.’ Hence, if we are not mindful, the evil roots will take over. We should bear in mind how to apply the following right effort to abandon the wrong thoughts:
- a) Think of the direct opposite wholesome thought (anger is not you but condition-arising);
- b) Think of the consequence of holding on to those wrong thought;
- c) Silent the mind and maintain awareness (this is the meditative approach);
- d) Trace the origination factors and retrospectively reverse it (the wisdom approach);
- e) Finally, if all these fail, then with your teeth clenched and tongue against the palate, abandon the wrong thought (by sheer will-power).
- To prevent such wrong thoughts from arising, we should straighten our views through reflection and contemplation. When we do this, one day, we can awaken to this wisdom and the mind will not behave in the old way anymore. Then, a new way of life takes over. This becomes mindful living because even the slightest movement of the mind can be felt. We must be determined to have this mindfulness to be aware. Then, we can transform from a heedless way to a heedful way of living. Finally, Bro Teoh reminded us to ask questions because it is the fastest way to learn the dharma because it sets the conditions for dharma to unfold. All of life is dharma and nature is our best and greatest teacher. Nature has its own set of nature’s laws so if we know these laws we will know how to live life and we will not get entangled in life.
Re: March 2018 – Bro Teoh’s Cameron Highlands Meditation retreat notes and Programme
Dear Kalyanamittas,
Below are the audio links to our coming March 2018 Cameron Highlands Meditation retreat notes and Program me for sharing by all.
Bye! with metta always,
Teoh
From: Bro Chin How
Or at:
https://broteoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/The-Nature-of-mind-….pdf
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broteoh.com
Retreat study notes : Meditation Retreat 2018 at Mahayana Triple Gem Temple 1st to 4th May 2013 Mindfulness meditation at Cameron Highlands The Nature of mind … 3 March Time Brief
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Bro. Teoh’s Sunday class’s recording dated 14th Jan 2018
Dear All Kalyanamittas,
Below are the audio links to our last Sunday’s 66th lesson of the 6th Patriarch Platform sutra recording dated 14th Jan 2018 for sharing by all. The following important short notes link and its details are enclosed below for your easy reading, listening and understanding:
https://broteoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Short-Notes-Teoh-WPCS-180114.pdf
Short notes for 66th lesson of the 6th Patriarch Platform sutra (Sunday class dated 14.1.2018):
Audio mp3 : https://broteoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/66-6th-Patriarch-14-Jan-2018.mp3
Whiteboard Note : https://broteoh.com/wp-content/uploads/66-6th-Patriarch-14-Jan-2018.jpg
- Samadhi is different from concentration
Samadhi is a mind which is “unwavering and collected“. It is a free mind without thought where the mundane mind is silent and not active. Whereas, concentration (or Samatha mind state) is a conditioned mind in Appana concentration. The mind is a focused mind in one-pointedness or absorption concentration. One is then in the Jhana or absorption mind states.
There must be an understanding that Samadhi always exist in one’s true mind but it is obscured (or clouded) by the mundane mind. Hence to realize Samadhi, one only needs to be silent and aware.
Most people seek peace and special experiences like seeing light (or nimitta), experiencing calmness and stillness during meditation but what they do not understand is, when they do that, they are actually focusing via effort and energy field to isolate the mind to abide within so that it is peaceful and calm but there is no clarity of awareness within. This will lead to suppression of delusion and negativity of mental states via strong mental concentration and absorption and one cannot live life with this type of mind state. Then one will not be able to develop the wisdom via mindful observation because all the latent tendencies (or anusaya) are being suppressed and they are not rooted out as yet.
Actually, one does not need to do concentration or absorption meditation because the mind on its own will return to its original state of inner peace and stillness before the stirring if we can just stop feeding it with anymore heedless thinking or thought energy.
- Surangama Sutra
“Perception of form is consciousness, whereas its non-perception is wisdom”
2.1 Explanation for “Perception of form is consciousness”
Worldly perception is by the mundane mind via our mental consciousness, i.e. we can perceive the world via our mundane mind’s seeing consciousness. Our brain which is basically memories and memories are our accumulation of experiences – Good and Bad. They are our views, opinions, conditionings, scars of memories, traditions, our belief systems, our phobias, our insecurity, our fears, worries and anxieties etc. including our greed, hatred and various type of emotional negativities.
Since thoughts are response to memories hence perception via the thought comes from memory and that’s how mental perception comes to be with every moment of consciousness. Hence mundane perception of mental form is consciousness. Take for example the seeing consciousness – how do you know it is a Buddha image? Via memory isn’t it? Then you stir your mind via inputting your content of consciousness according to your views, opinions and conditioning accumulated within your brain or memory. Therefore, when we use our mundane mind to see via our memories, we are not seeing the truth or the reality and we cannot see things as they are because we are perceiving what we see according to our conditioned mind which are full of words, concept, views and opinions, dualities and conditionings, etc.
Hence ‘acting according to memory is not acting at all. One should act with wisdom instead.
Sometimes these conditioned memories, views, opinions, scars of memories and fears, etc. are also accumulated in our subconscious and when there is condition to trigger them, those conditioned memories etc. will arise and your mind will stir accordingly. If we act according to these conditioning, views, opinions, etc. it will result in us not acting according to wisdom. We are merely perceiving things via our old conditioning or habitual tendencies, resulting in wrong perception in every moment of consciousness. Take for example, when a past phobia is triggered, one will panic based on previous experience. But if one just develop the wisdom to act via careful observation or heedfulness then one can just stopped reacting or stirring one’s mind and just stay silent to inquire into what just happened? One will have the understanding to realize that “when conditions are like that, things will be like that” because the reality IS or Truth IS. There will be wisdom and one will not be afflicted like before by the old habitual way of heedless living. Then when one become more skillful in this new way of heedful living, one can move on to the next step to trace the origination factors then retrospectively reverse them, so that we will not fall into the same trap again in the future.
2.2 Explanation for “Non-perception is wisdom”:
Non-perception is not using the mundane mind to see. It is using the direct seeing via the pure awareness or silent mind to ‘see things as they are’ (to see truth, to see the reality), without being influenced by our views, opinions, belief system and conditioning, etc. When we see things via the true mind there is no discrimination or distinction between good and bad because there is no words or concept of duality to arise those deluded thoughts. Everything just follows nature’s laws; only mighty Nature rolling by.
3.0 Question and Answers session after meditation
Question 1: Bro Song shared his experience of having strong sankhara activities all of a sudden despite after having a period of very stable mindful and heedful daily mindfulness living. These sankhara activities arise for no apparent reason and he was fully aware of their arising and also his subtle mind movements and reactions within and he did not know how to deal with them at that time apart from ‘allowing it to be’ until he heard Sis Mindy’s last Sunday question to Bro. Teoh regarding her experience at the cittanupassana retreat that she attended recently.
He then understands that the real cittanuppasana is not ‘thought observing thoughts’ but instead the mind is aware of all the mind states or content of consciousness as they arise. When the content of consciousness has greed one is aware of its arising (or stirring of the mundane mind), so that one’s mind (which is in sati) is sensitive. Then the habitual subtle stirring will weaken as one develops this mindfulness until it is very stable. Then one can contemplate deeper into the arising sankhara (or what happened) to understand that this was actually a test from his cultivation or nature.
Bye! and with metta always,
Teoh
From: Sister Lee Siew Gaik
https://broteoh.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/66-6th-Patriarch-14-Jan-2018.mp3
or at:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/67wk1lw7vpx8zte/66%206th%20Patriarch%2014%20Jan%202018.MP3?dl=0
| 66 6th Patriarch 14 Jan 2018.MP3
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The Source of conflict regarding Theravada and Mahayana concepts of Arahant and Bodhisattva
Dear Kalyanamittas,
Below is an extract from our earlier sharing on the article from Amaravati Buddhist Monastery that discusses the Theravada and Mahayana concepts of Arahant and Bodhisattva for sharing by all.
The Source of conflict
The source of this conflict, along with the other ten thousand woes and struggles to which the human mind is prone, is conceiving the Arahant and the Bodhisattva in terms of self. When we no longer look at the issue through the lens of self-view, the picture changes radically.
‘Bhikkhus, held by two kinds of views, some devas and human beings hold back and some overreach; only those with vision see.
‘And how, bhikkhus, do some hold back? Some devas and humans enjoy being, delight in being, are satisfied with being. When the Dhamma is taught to them for the cessation of being, their minds do not enter into it or acquire confidence in it or settle upon it or become resolved upon it. Thus, bhikkhus, do some hold back.
‘How, bhikkhus, do some overreach? Now some are troubled, ashamed and disgusted by this very same quality of being and they rejoice in [the idea of] non-being, asserting, “Good sirs, when the body perishes at death, this self is annihilated and destroyed and does not exist anymore – this is true peace, this is excellent, this is reality!” Thus, bhikkhus, do some overreach.
‘How, bhikkhus, do those with vision see? Herein one sees what has come to be as having come to be. Having seen it thus, one practises the course for turning away, for dispassion, for the cessation of what has come to be. Thus, bhikkhus, do those with vision see.’ [Iti 49]
As long as self-view has not been penetrated in either its coarse form of sakkāya-ditthi (identification with the body and personality) or the more refined asmimāna (the conceit of ‘I am’), the mind will miss the Middle Way.
The ‘no more coming into any state of being’ ideal will thus tend to be co-opted by the nihilist view (uccheda-ditthi), while the ‘endlessly returning for the sake of all beings’ ideal will tend to be pervaded with the eternalist view (sassata-ditthi).
When the two extremes are abandoned and the sense of self is seen through, the Middle Way is realized. Whether we talk in terms of utter emptiness, the arahant of the Pali Canon, or the absolute zero of the Heart Sutra, or in terms of the infinite view of the four bodhisattva vows, there is a direct realization that these expressions are merely modes of speech. They all derive from the same source, the Dhamma. They are simply expedient formulations which guide the heart of the aspirant to attunement with that reality of its own nature. That attunement is the Middle Way.
Bye! and with metta always,
Teoh
Brother Teoh’s Tuesday class on 30/05/2017 recording
Dear Kalyanamittas,
Below is our last Tuesday class on 30/05/2017 recording for sharing by all. Please do listen attentively to the following dharma which were shared:
i) J Krishnamurti quote on Meditation;
ii) Dharma discussion following the book ‘Life of the Buddha and his teaching’.
Bye! and with metta always,
Teoh
From: Sis. Hui Rong
Brother Teoh Tuesday class on 30/05/2017 record
or
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J Krishnamurti quote on Meditation
Dear All Kalyanamittas,
Below is a very profound and meaningful quote on Meditation by J Krishnamurti for sharing by all. Please do read through it attentively to develop the true understanding of this rather beautiful quote. We shall discuss this quote at our next Tuesday and Thursday classes.
Bye! and with metta always,
Teoh
When thought has understood its own beginning –JKOnline Daily Quotes
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Meditation is to be aware of every thought and of every feeling, never to say it is right or wrong but just to watch it and move with it. In that watching you begin to understand the whole movement of thought and feeling. And out of this awareness comes silence. Silence put together by thought is stagnation, is dead, but the silence that comes when thought has understood its own beginning, the nature of itself, understood how all thought is never free but always old – this silence is meditation in which the meditator is entirely absent, for the mind has emptied itself of the past. – Krishnamurti, Freedom from the Known,115
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Bro. Teoh’s Tuesday Dharma class 21.2.2017 recording.
Dear all Kalyanamittas,
Below is the drop box link to our last Tuesday Diamond sutra Dharma class (21.2.17) recording for sharing by all. Please do listen to it attentively. The following dharma were also discussed:
- What is Vipassana Bhavana or meditation?
- Clear instructions and explanation on how to develop the meditation as taught by the Buddha.
- Understanding the silent mind, Sati, piti, sukha and passaddhi.
- Introducing the following latest 2 new Transcript books which are now ready for collection by all Kalyanamittas:
i) 36th Lesson of the 6th Patriarch’s Platform sutra; ii) Understanding the meditation as taught by the Buddha (Part 2)
Bye! and with metta always,
Teoh
Last night’s Tues Class sharing (21feb2017) is ready for download:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/op49bb04tsesx6o/Teoh%20Tues%20Class%2020170221.MP3?dl=0
https://www.dropbox.com/s/op49bb04tsesx6o/Teoh%20Tues%20Class%2020170221.MP3?dl=0
Sunday Class Recording 19-Feb-2017
Dear All Kalyanamittas,
Here is the drop box link to our Sunday class recording 2017-02-19 for sharing by all. Please do listen to it attentively and apart from our usual 41st lesson of the Sixth Patriarch platform sutra class sharing the following were also discussed:
I) Meditation and Daily mindfulness experiences sharing by Kalyanamittas;
ii) Understanding the cultivation of No thought, No mark and No Dwelling as taught by the 6th Patriarch Hui Neng.
Bye! and with metta always,
Teoh