Meditation Q&A - October 02, 2021

00:00 Welcome 00:48 Meditate Together 12:14 Can you talk about the dangers of conceit in spiritual practice? What is the right balance between knowledge and over-confidence? 18:42 How does one not use meditation to be more comfortable in samsara but rather to be above and beyond it all? 20:42 I have relatives who have stolen my money and ruined my life and eventually future. I have turned to alcohol for many years. Where do I go from here? 23:05 Is there a rational reason why feeling compassion for all forms of life is right other than doing it for your own well being? 26:23 After having practiced for a few months now, I seem to constantly be aware of the amount of idle chatter in my everyday thinking. Is this to be expected? 28:18 I usually sleep during meditation. How I do stay alert? How to focus more? 29:23 I try to focus on my breath but my attention tends to stick to the "black screen" of the visual sense. What should I do? 30:21 How does one become aware of the Four Noble Truths or let them guide you during meditation? 33:37 Is goodness (wholesomeness) a concept or an absolute truth? I am struggling with how to perceive the precepts. 36:29 I'm left-handed. Is it appropriate if I start the movements with my left hand or foot in prostration and walking meditation? 38:40 If I lower my dose of antipsychotic medication, then the negative symptoms of schizophrenia (no will, motivation, drive) get worse, and then I can't function so and it gets harder to meditate, what would be the best thing to do? 41:08 My body moves involuntarily during meditation; head rotates, neck contracts, stretches and I do some yoga. Why does it happen? And for how long will it happen? 42:23 For a month-long period I was devoid of thoughts but suddenly came back to more thoughts. Is this due to a lack of intensive practice or is another reason? 43:38 As a beginner in meditation, what is the recommended amount of time to meditate-for and build-up-to, over time? 44:59 How can someone apply Buddhism while also having ambitions? 46:11 What is meant by noting the four elements of the body in the Satipatthana Sutta? 47:24 How can you note "thinking" without stopping to think? I can note emotions, and other states of mind, but I'm unable to hold two thoughts in my mind - noting and thinking. The thoughts dissipate. 48:33 I sometimes meditate and think back on the negative parts of my day. I struggle to overcome the negative side and be to critical of myself. Any tips? 51:11 How do you handle rage? 53:06 I am seeing a lot of irony with my experience and thinking. Insights can cause a deep laughter when I see the irony. Is this irony another form of thinking? 54:08 How realistic is it for a lay person to lose attachments? Or at least loosen them? It seems so hard without the structure of monastic life. 55:05 My son is 5 and suffers with autism. His school has introduced a meditation corner and he has asked me to set up a meditation area at home. What is the best sort of setup to have for him? 56:37 I want to introduce Buddhism to my son, who is still very young. Where should I start? 1:01:14 How do I control my emotions? 1:02:36 I had an experience of emptiness; there was no me, self. Is this seeing Nibbana? 1:03:11 How should you deal with peer pressure for unwholesome activities, e.g. drinking alcohol? 1:03:59 I feel like there is something wrong with sharing your experiences / talking about meditation to other people. But I do it. Am I right in thinking that it's wrong? 1:05:09 Sometimes anxiety is more powerful than me and I feel like it is killing me. I get panic attacks over and over. I just can't overcome it. Can I? 1:07:54 Sadhu... - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - How To Meditate Booklet: https://htm.sirimangalo.org/ To join our meditation community and sign up for an at-home meditation course, please visit: https://meditation.sirimangalo.org/ Our Website: https://www.sirimangalo.org/ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Subscribe for updates here: https://www.youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=yuttadhammo and don't forget to click the 'like' button to help promote these videos! Thanks for your questions, comments and support for what I do. May all beings be happy. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yuttadhammo Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/yuttadhammo Weblog: https://yuttadhammo.sirimangalo.org/ Supporting This Work: https://www.sirimangalo.org/support