In this conversation Ajahn Brahm explores “Right Restraint” or “Samaana”, the sixth factor of the Eightfold Path in Buddhism.
He suggests that “Samari” is more accurately translated as “restraint” or “guarding” rather than “concentration”, highlighting the importance of letting go and avoiding forceful effort in meditation.
Ajahn Brahm emphasizes that right restraint involves guarding the senses, practicing wisdom, and abandoning unwholesome thoughts to maintain peace and focus during meditation.
Using various stories, analogies, and personal experiences, Ajahn Brahm illustrates the significance of this practice.
For example, he compares guarding the senses to a tree protecting its leaves from the wind, allowing stillness to naturally emerge.
He also tells a story about a woman who was unable to concentrate during meditation because she was distracted by the famous actor Richard Gere sitting next to her, emphasizing the need to keep the mind focused.
Ajahn Brahm further stresses the value of kindness and compassion towards all beings, and the cultivation of positive mind states to weaken hindrances.
He advises welcoming unwholesome thoughts with kindness rather than suppressing them with willpower, using the story of an “anger-eating monster” as an analogy.
In the end, Ajahn Brahm promotes unity and empathy in Buddhist communities, advising followers to cultivate positive qualities and sustain a calm and focused mindset for effective meditation.
