Ajahn Brahmali Podcast

A public talk given by Ajahn Brahmali during a Sutta Retreat on the 17th of March 2019.Recorded 2019-03-17-This talk by Ajahn Brahmali was recorded and made available for free distribution by the Buddhist Society of Western Australia (BWSA) under the ⁠Creative Commons⁠ license. ⁠You can support the Buddhist Society of Western Australia by pledging your support via their Ko-fi page.⁠

Ajahn Brahmali acknowledges that many people struggle to make progress in meditation and offers guidance on how to advance.Recorded 2026-01-02-This talk by Ajahn Brahmali was recorded and made available for free distribution by the Buddhist Society of Western Australia (BWSA) under the ⁠Creative Commons⁠ license. ⁠You can support the Buddhist Society of Western Australia by pledging your support via their Ko-fi page.⁠

In this talk, Ajahn Brahmali speaks on the theme of benefits and pitfalls of renunciation. Being more of an internal phenomenon rather than a mere external state, the Pali word for renunciation, Nekhamma, refers to letting go of the world of the five senses. One of the main benefits of the monastic life is the company of Kalyanamittas, spiritual friends, and they bring out the best in us. It is accentuated by a teacher who is a living example of the Dhamma. The dangers of the monastic life often arise from using force and willpower to suppress negative mind states. Therefore, one is encouraged to focus on the overall progress in terms of the increase in positive qualities such as kindness, gentleness and mindfulness and decrease in negative states such as anger and ill will. Ajahn beautifully explains how the monastic life is actually about living a moral life, a life of service and generosity. In the suttas being generous is akin to enlightenment and letting go of the sense of self, which is the main cause of many of life’s problems. It is the final act of renunciation. During the Q&A session, among many important questions, Ajahn addresses how to balance the lay family life with the spiritual life by making everything we do in accordance with the Dhamma where our only concern must be our own conduct in regard to those we live and work with.Recorded 2023-07-23-This talk by Ajahn Brahmali was recorded and made available for free distribution by the Buddhist Society of Western Australia (BWSA) under the ⁠Creative Commons⁠ license. ⁠You can support the Buddhist Society of Western Australia by pledging your support via their Ko-fi page.⁠

Dhamma talk by Ajahn BrahmaliRecorded 2018-12-31-This talk by Ajahn Brahmali was recorded and made available for free distribution by the Buddhist Society of Western Australia (BWSA) under the ⁠Creative Commons⁠ license. ⁠You can support the Buddhist Society of Western Australia by pledging your support via their Ko-fi page.⁠

Ajahn Brahmali describes the Buddha’s teaching on non-self, and how to use this teaching in practice. He encourages listeners to look at direct experience, not beliefs, to see how the sense of self is constructed and how it can be let go. Understanding non-self helps to diminish attachment, reduce suffering, and leads to liberation.Recorded 2014-11-21-This talk by Ajahn Brahmali was recorded and made available for free distribution by the Buddhist Society of Western Australia (BWSA) under the ⁠Creative Commons⁠ license. ⁠You can support the Buddhist Society of Western Australia by pledging your support via their Ko-fi page.⁠

Ajahn Brahmali discusses the importance of inspiration (pasāda) in Buddhist practice and explains where to look, and not look, for it. He emphasizes that right inspiration energizes practice and keeps it aligned with the Buddha’s original path.True inspiration is quiet, steady, and rooted in wisdom. It grows when we align with the Buddha’s path and reflect on teachings that bring peace, clarity, and letting go. Seek inspiration that deepens your practice, not just entertains the mind.Recorded 2019-01-25-This talk by Ajahn Brahmali was recorded and made available for free distribution by the Buddhist Society of Western Australia (BWSA) under the ⁠Creative Commons⁠ license. ⁠You can support the Buddhist Society of Western Australia by pledging your support via their Ko-fi page.⁠

Ajahn Brahmali explains how to develop mindfulness in a way that supports and deepens Buddhist practice.Recorded 2025-05-16-This talk by Ajahn Brahmali was recorded and made available for free distribution by the Buddhist Society of Western Australia (BWSA) under the ⁠Creative Commons⁠ license. ⁠You can support the Buddhist Society of Western Australia by pledging your support via their Ko-fi page.⁠

Ajahn Brahmali looks at different religions perspectives on the role of devotion and discusses the role and uses of devotion in Buddhist practice.Recorded 2014-11-07-This talk by Ajahn Brahmali was recorded and made available for free distribution by the Buddhist Society of Western Australia (BWSA) under the ⁠Creative Commons⁠ license. ⁠You can support the Buddhist Society of Western Australia by pledging your support via their Ko-fi page.⁠

Ajahn Brahmali explores the relationship between secularism and Buddhism, reflecting on how Buddhism fits into modern, often secular societies, and evaluating the movement known as “secular Buddhism.” In the West, secular Buddhism does emphasize mindfulness, ethics, and psychological insight. However, it often downplays or excludes key elements like rebirth and karma.While secular approaches make Buddhism more accessible, they risk cutting out essential elements that make the teachings of the Buddha (Dhamma) transformative. Buddhism can adapt to the modern world, but we must be careful not to dilute its essence. The challenge is to honor the depth of the Dhamma while communicating it in a way that's relevant to contemporary society.Recorded 2016-12-16-These talks by Ajahn Brahmali have been recorded and made available for free distribution by the Buddhist Society of Western Australia under the ⁠Creative Commons⁠ licence. ⁠You can support the Buddhist Society of Western Australia by pledging your support via their Ko-fi page.⁠

Ajahn Brahmali delivers a thoughtful and accessible talk on one of the Buddha's most profound teachings: Dependent Origination (Paticca Samuppāda). He unpacks its structure, purpose, and role in understanding suffering and the path to its cessation.Dependent Origination is the principle that everything arises due to conditions; nothing exists independently or permanently. Understanding this reveals the mechanics of existence which serve as a practical guide to uprooting suffering from its very source.Recorded 2016-02-12-These talks by Ajahn Brahmali have been recorded and made available for free distribution by the Buddhist Society of Western Australia under the ⁠Creative Commons⁠ licence. ⁠You can support the Buddhist Society of Western Australia by pledging your support via their Ko-fi page.⁠

Ajahn Brahmali explores how Buddhism understands and responds to war, revealing how our own karma shapes the challenges we face, and how we can meet them the Buddhist way.Recorded 2024-05-10-This talk by Ajahn Brahmali was recorded and made available for free distribution by the Buddhist Society of Western Australia (BWSA) under the ⁠Creative Commons⁠ license. ⁠You can support the Buddhist Society of Western Australia by pledging your support via their Ko-fi page.⁠

In this talk, Ajahn Brahmali addresses the role of sensual pleasures in the Buddhist path, clarifying common misunderstandings and explaining why the Buddha warned against overindulgence. He emphasizes that sensuality is not “evil” in itself, but that attachment to it binds us to suffering and prevents deeper peace.Recorded 2014-01-17-This talk by Ajahn Brahmali was recorded and made available for free distribution by the Buddhist Society of Western Australia (BWSA) under the ⁠Creative Commons⁠ license. ⁠You can support the Buddhist Society of Western Australia by pledging your support via their Ko-fi page.⁠

Ajahn Brahmali explores the nature of the deep states of meditation called jhānas.Recorded 2024-06-13-This talk by Ajahn Brahmali was recorded and made available for free distribution by the Buddhist Society of Western Australia (BWSA) under the ⁠Creative Commons⁠ license. ⁠You can support the Buddhist Society of Western Australia by pledging your support via their Ko-fi page.⁠