Ayya Anandabodhi’s Dharma Talks – Part I

Ayya Anandabodhi first encountered the Buddha’s teachings in her early teens, igniting a deep interest in the Buddha’s Path of Awakening. She lived and trained as a nun in the Forest Tradition at Amaravati and Chithurst monasteries in England from 1992 until 2009, when she moved to the US to help establish Aloka Vihara, a training monastery for women, where she now resides.

2021-05-07 Recollection of the Buddha’s Wisdom and Love 31:37 Download Listen Sharing a few key stories of the Buddha’s life Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  The Four Protective Meditations: Developing Courage to Meet the Way Things Truly Are

2021-05-07 Buddhanusati – Recollection of the Buddha 48:52 Download Listen Guided Meditation Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  The Four Protective Meditations: Developing Courage to Meet the Way Things Truly Are

2021-05-06 Radiating Metta for the Entire World 42:50 Download Listen Guided Meditation Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  The Four Protective Meditations: Developing Courage to Meet the Way Things Truly Are

2021-05-05 If You Were to Die Tonight… 65:14 Download Listen The Buddha encouraged us to reflect on the fact that death could come at any time. This sobering reflection, when used in the right way, brings sharpness and clarity as to what is important in our lives Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  The Four Protective Meditations: Developing Courage to Meet the Way Things Truly Are

2021-05-04 Reflecting on the Nature of the Body (asubha) 30:39 Download Listen Reflecting on asubha (the non-beautiful) aspects of the body we can find greater peace and acceptance with things as they are. Through this understanding, the mind is released from desire and aversion Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  The Four Protective Meditations: Developing Courage to Meet the Way Things Truly Are

2021-05-04 Guided Meditation on Skin, Flesh and Bones 49:01 Download Listen This practice, one of the Four Protective Meditations, leads us to directly understand the true nature of the body. Through this understanding, the mind is released from desire and aversion and we can accept this body as part of nature, rather than “me” and “mine”. Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  The Four Protective Meditations: Developing Courage to Meet the Way Things Truly Are

2021-01-02 Reflections on Upekkha 18:00 Download Listen Aloka Vihara Forest Monastery :  New Year Retreat 2020/21

2021-01-01 Feeling Tone – Guided body sweeping meditation 52:59 Download Listen Guided body sweeping meditation on the three feeling tones – pleasant, painful, neither-pleasant-nor-painful. Aloka Vihara Forest Monastery :  New Year Retreat 2020/21

2020-12-31 Letting Go of Resentment – (the last day of 2020) 37:05 Download Listen At the end of a challenging year, reflections on letting go of resentment, cultivating a loving heart and opening to the bigger picture. Aloka Vihara Forest Monastery :  New Year Retreat 2020/21

2020-12-31 Radiant Heart Practices 39:56 Download Listen A guided meditation on the Four Brahama Viharas with a radiant heart. Aloka Vihara Forest Monastery :  New Year Retreat 2020/21

2020-12-30 Meal Time Reflection 9:27 Download Listen Bringing the Four Brahma Viharas to eating. Aloka Vihara Forest Monastery :  New Year Retreat 2020/21

2020-12-30 Overview of the Four Brahma Viharas 19:38 Download Listen Aloka Vihara Forest Monastery :  New Year Retreat 2020/21

2020-12-29 Guided Movement Meditation 7:31 Download Listen Guided walking meditation and hand movement meditation. Aloka Vihara Forest Monastery :  New Year Retreat 2020/21

2020-12-29 Opening Metta Meditation 15:47 Download Listen A guided meditation to establish the heart and mind in metta. Aloka Vihara Forest Monastery :  New Year Retreat 2020/21

2020-11-28 Mitta’s Message ~ Making the Mind Your Friend 32:52 Download Listen Aloka Vihara Forest Monastery

2020-06-27 Reflections on Dismantling Internal & External Oppression 28:48 Download Listen Aloka Vihara Forest Monastery

2020-06-02 Poems of the Early Buddhist Nuns 58:32 Download Listen with Matty Weingast Ayya Anandabodhi and Matty Weingast read from their new translation of the Therigatha – The First Free Women: Poems of the Early Buddhist Nuns. Insight Meditation South Bay – Silicon Valley :  Tuesday Talks

2020-05-22 Words of Awakening 1:32:04 Download Listen New York Insight Meditation Center

2020-01-04 This Precious Life 28:28 Download Listen Dhamma Talk on the precious opportunity we have for practice – reflecting on the Five Indriya as a support for the Path. Aloka Vihara Forest Monastery (Applegate Jesuit Retreat Center)

2020-01-04 Breathing into the Heart Space 7:32 Download Listen Guided metta meditation Aloka Vihara Forest Monastery (Applegate Jesuit Retreat Center)

2020-01-02 Every Meditation is an Act of Faith 45:51 Download Listen Dhamma reflection on Going Forth into the practice. Aloka Vihara Forest Monastery (Applegate Jesuit Retreat Center)

2019-12-30 Like a River 38:57 Download Listen Reflection – using the Five Indriya – on how the Path is not a straight line, but meanders like a river towards the ocean. Aloka Vihara Forest Monastery (Applegate Jesuit Retreat Center)

2019-12-29 The Five Indriya – Preparing for Retreat 20:02 Download Listen Dhamma reflection on beginning retreat, using the Five Indriya (Five Faculties) as a framework. Aloka Vihara Forest Monastery (Applegate Jesuit Retreat Center)

2019-09-01 Unconditional Love 31:18 Download Listen Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2019-09-01 Reclaiming Your Power through the Four Brahma Viharas 62:28 Download Listen Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2019-08-31 “Liberating the Mind” 40:14 Download Listen A reflection on the challenges of our time, and cultivating the Four Boundless Qualities as a way to meet these challenges and transform our life and the lives of others. Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2019-05-07 Taking Your Seat (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 44:21 Download Listen An encouragement to make the path your own Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Seven Treasures

2019-05-06 Inclining Towards the Ocean (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 45:11 Download Listen The 5 hindrances and the 7 awakening factors Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Seven Treasures

2019-04-11 The Four Stages of Awakening (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 49:03 Download Listen Overview of the Four Stages of Awakening and the The Ten Fetters. Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Mindfulness of Breathing

2019-04-08 A Beautiful Truth (Retreat at Spirit Rock) 44:08 Download Listen Exploring the 5 aggregates, aging, sickness & death Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Mindfulness of Breathing

2019-01-01 Awareness – Marrying the Present Moment 38:37 Download Listen New Year’s Retreat Aloka Vihara Forest Monastery (Applegate Jesuit Retreat Center)

2018-12-31 Aligning with Right Livelihood 24:12 Download Listen New Year’s Retreat Aloka Vihara Forest Monastery (Applegate Jesuit Retreat Center)

2018-12-30 Karuna – Freedom from Harm 12:18 Download Listen Guided Meditation New Year’s Retreat Aloka Vihara Forest Monastery (Applegate Jesuit Retreat Center)

2018-12-29 Right Thought ~ Renunciation, Compassion & Kindness 22:08 Download Listen New Year’s Retreat Aloka Vihara Forest Monastery (Applegate Jesuit Retreat Center)

2018-12-28 Right View ~ A Practical Approach 46:28 Download Listen New Year’s Retreat Aloka Vihara Forest Monastery (Applegate Jesuit Retreat Center)

2018-11-25 Losing Fear of Formations – Talk 1 of 2 36:03 Download Listen (Talk 2 here – https://dharmaseed.org/teacher/278/talk/53268/) Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2018-09-22 Creativity with the Brahma Viharas – Finding a way to access the heart qualities and letting them transform your life 39:31 Download Listen Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2018-05-05 Building the Raft – Day 1 – (Reflection Talk/Walking Instruction) – “Attuning to the Eightfold path” 33:06 Download Listen Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2018-04-09 Reflections On Right Mindfulness 32:24 Download Listen An overview of the Four Foundations of Mindfulness and working with greed, aversion, and delusion. Insight Meditation Society – Retreat Center :  The Middle Way ~ Finding Our Natural Resting Place: Monastic Retreat

2018-04-08 Guided Meditation On The Four Brahma Viharas 38:06 Download Listen Radiating the qualities of Metta (benevolence), Karuna (compassion), Mudita (appreciative joy), and upekkha (equipoise). Insight Meditation Society – Retreat Center :  The Middle Way ~ Finding Our Natural Resting Place: Monastic Retreat

2018-04-08 Sixth Path Factor – Right Effort 27:59 Download Listen Insight Meditation Society – Retreat Center :  The Middle Way ~ Finding Our Natural Resting Place: Monastic Retreat

2018-04-07 Reflections On Right Effort 31:02 Download Listen Finding balance and developing the four aspects of Right Effort the 6th factor of the Eight Fold Path. Insight Meditation Society – Retreat Center :  The Middle Way ~ Finding Our Natural Resting Place: Monastic Retreat

2018-04-07 Reflections On Right Livelihood. 1:01 Download Listen Reflections and poems on Right Livelihood, the fifth fold of the Eight Fold Path. Insight Meditation Society – Retreat Center :  The Middle Way ~ Finding Our Natural Resting Place: Monastic Retreat

2018-04-06 Radiant Karuma and Mudita Practice 40:16 Download Listen Guided meditation on the radiating practice of compassion and appreciative joy. Insight Meditation Society – Retreat Center :  The Middle Way ~ Finding Our Natural Resting Place: Monastic Retreat

2018-04-05 Radiating Metta 47:02 Download Listen Guided meditation on Metta practice, based on the Buddha’s teaching Insight Meditation Society – Retreat Center :  The Middle Way ~ Finding Our Natural Resting Place: Monastic Retreat

2018-04-05 Unpacking Right Thought 59:50 Download Listen A look at how we can cultivate Right Thought, the second fold of the Eightfold Path Insight Meditation Society – Retreat Center :  The Middle Way ~ Finding Our Natural Resting Place: Monastic Retreat

2018-04-04 Reflections On Right View 1:51:04 Download Listen Reflections on the first fold of the Eightfold Path. Insight Meditation Society – Retreat Center :  The Middle Way ~ Finding Our Natural Resting Place: Monastic Retreat

2018-01-03 Untangling the Knot of Self 24:38 Download Listen New Year’s Retreat at Applegate Jesuit RC, CA Aloka Vihara Forest Monastery

2018-01-03 Harvesting the Fruits of Practice 10:34 Download Listen Guided Meditation, New Year’s Retreat at Applegate Jesuit RC, CA Aloka Vihara Forest Monastery

2018-01-02 Settling 9:22 Download Listen New Year’s Retreat at Applegate Jesuit RC, CA Aloka Vihara Forest Monastery

2018-01-01 Karuna ~ Radiating Compassion 40:41 Download Listen Guided Meditation, New Year’s Retreat at Applegate Jesuit RC, CA Aloka Vihara Forest Monastery

2017-12-31 The End of A Year 27:59 Download Listen New Year’s Retreat at Applegate Jesuit RC, CA Aloka Vihara Forest Monastery

2017-12-30 Radiating Kindness 44:00 Download Listen Guided Meditation, New Year’s Retreat at Applegate Jesuit RC, CA Aloka Vihara Forest Monastery

2017-12-29 Encouragement Along the Way 17:28 Download Listen New Year’s Retreat at Applegate Jesuit RC, CA Aloka Vihara Forest Monastery

2017-12-28 Sila, Samadhi, Panna 36:18 Download Listen New Year’s Retreat at Applegate Jesuit RC, CA Aloka Vihara Forest Monastery

2017-12-28 Gradually Reining In the Mind 38:53 Download Listen Guided Meditation, New Year’s Retreat at Applegate Jesuit RC, CA Aloka Vihara Forest Monastery

2017-12-09 Apparent Here and Now 36:42 Download Listen Dharma Talk Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2017-07-24 Gradually Awakening 28:26 Download Listen Against the Stream

2017-05-27 Love and Emptiness 1:28:25 Download Listen This is the afternoon guided meditation and talk by Ayya Anandabhodi from the monastic daylong program Entering the Heart of Practice with Ayya Santacitta and Isabelita Papa (Qigong) Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2017-05-10 Vesak Reflection 16:03 Download Listen Aloka Vihara Forest Monastery

2017-05-07 End of Retreat Reflection 13:11 Download Listen SBMG Retreat, Applegate, CA Aloka Vihara Forest Monastery

2017-05-06 Liberating the Heart 37:58 Download Listen Guided Meditation SBMG Retreat, Applegate, CA Aloka Vihara Forest Monastery

2017-05-04 Knowing the Mind 42:19 Download Listen SBMG Retreat, Applegate, CA Aloka Vihara Forest Monastery

2017-01-05 Hatred Never Ceases Through Hatred 33:18 Download Listen Aloka Vihara Forest Monastery (Angela Center)

2017-01-05 Staying Present 43:48 Download Listen Guided Meditation Aloka Vihara Forest Monastery (Angela Center)

2017-01-04 Limits of Mind and the Limitless 28:54 Download Listen Aloka Vihara Forest Monastery (Angela Center)

2017-01-02 Guided Meditation on Compassion 43:21 Download Listen Guided Meditation Aloka Vihara Forest Monastery (Angela Center)

2017-01-01 Reflection on Three Kinds of Thirst and Meditation on Three Kinds of Feeling 26:14 Download Listen Reflection & Guided Meditation Aloka Vihara Forest Monastery (Angela Center)

2017-01-01 New Year’s Day Morning Reflection 9:11 Download Listen Aloka Vihara Forest Monastery (Angela Center)

2016-12-31 New Year’s Eve Talk 46:03 Download Listen Aloka Vihara Forest Monastery (Angela Center)

2016-12-29 Morning Reflection 22:32 Download Listen Aloka Vihara Forest Monastery (Angela Center)

2016-12-29 Metta Meditation 41:13 Download Listen Guided Meditation Aloka Vihara Forest Monastery (Angela Center)

2016-12-28 The Story of the Self 37:37 Download Listen Aloka Vihara Forest Monastery (Angela Center)

2016-07-16 Meeting With the Challenges of our Time 67:26 Download Listen Dhamma Reflection from the daylong – Listening to Natural Law – on July 16, 2016. Followed by a Q&A with Ayya Anandabodhi and Ayya Santacitta. Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  July Metta Retreat

2016-07-16 Arriving into Body and Breath 2:34:30 Download Listen Guided Meditation from our daylong – Listening to Natural Law – on Saturday, July 16, 2016 Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2016-05-14 Stroking the Dog 41:27 Download Listen Learning to train the mind. Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Taking Refuge In What Is True

2016-05-12 Ecology of the Heart 39:19 Download Listen Dhamma Reflection Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Taking Refuge In What Is True

2016-05-11 Guided Meditation on the Four Brahma Vihara 52:13 Download Listen Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Taking Refuge In What Is True

2016-05-10 Applying the Practice 44:26 Download Listen Evening reflection on how we need to apply the practice differently as our path progresses – and a reminder of how we can get caught by the hindrances, and how to get un-caught. Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Taking Refuge In What Is True In collection Developing Our Practice

2016-05-10 Refuge in Awareness 45:48 Download Listen Morning reflection on developing awareness of changing states. Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Taking Refuge In What Is True

2016-05-06 Joy 39:08 Download Listen Aloka Vihara Forest Monastery

2016-04-18 Forgetting the Self 45:56 Download Listen with Pamela Weiss San Francisco Insight Meditation Community

2016-04-13 Self, No-self and Race 45:56 Download Listen A talk given with Pamela Weiss at SFInsight after the ‘Undoing Racism’ training at Spirit Rock. Aloka Vihara Forest Monastery

2016-04-13 Forgetting The Self With Ayya Anandabodhi 45:56 Download Listen with Pamela Weiss

2016-01-01 Kindness, Friendliness, Acceptance – Guided Meditation 31:29 Download Listen New Year’s Retreat Aloka Vihara Forest Monastery (Angela Center)

2015-12-31 Putting It Down 30:53 Download Listen New Year’s Retreat Aloka Vihara Forest Monastery (Angela Center)

2015-12-31 The Things That It’s Hard to Let Go Of 24:42 Download Listen New Year’s Retreat Aloka Vihara Forest Monastery (Angela Center)

2015-12-30 Knowing the Mind 23:02 Download Listen New Year’s Retreat Aloka Vihara Forest Monastery (Angela Center)

2015-12-29 Three Kinds of Feeling – Guided Meditation 19:24 Download Listen New Year’s Retreat Aloka Vihara Forest Monastery (Angela Center)

2015-12-28 Developing Awareness 48:15 Download Listen New Year’s Retreat Aloka Vihara Forest Monastery (Angela Center)

2015-11-28 Q&A with Ayya Anandabodhi and Ayya Santacitta 45:02 Download Listen This Q&A session is from – Giving Thanks – a daylong at Spirit Rock on Saturday, November 28th with Ayya Anandabodhi and Ayya Santacitta. On this Thanksgiving weekend, celebrating the great flow of gratitude and generosity that is sustaining life in every moment Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2015-11-28 Gratitude for this Body – a guided standing meditation 12:01 Download Listen This talk is from – Giving Thanks – a daylong at Spirit Rock on Saturday, November 28th with Ayya Anandabodhi and Ayya Santacitta. On this Thanksgiving weekend, celebrating the great flow of gratitude and generosity that is sustaining life in every moment Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2015-11-28 Living with Gratitude 22:13 Download Listen This talk is from – Giving Thanks – a daylong at Spirit Rock on Saturday, November 28th with Ayya Anandabodhi and Ayya Santacitta. On this Thanksgiving weekend, celebrating the great flow of gratitude and generosity that is sustaining life in every moment Spirit Rock Meditation Center

2015-09-24 Mindful of Feeling 46:12 Download Listen A short reflection and guided meditation on three kinds of feeling. Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  The Power of Presence: Retreat for Women

2015-09-05 Live Lightly 39:06 Download Listen Aloka Vihara Forest Monastery

2015-08-22 Bhikkhuni Chanting 11:42 Download Listen Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Monastic Retreat

2015-08-22 Mindfulness of Mind 23:03 Download Listen Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Monastic Retreat

2015-08-21 Mindfulness of Body and Feelings 49:59 Download Listen Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Monastic Retreat

2015-08-21 Guided Standing Meditation Part 01 5:32 Download Listen Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Monastic Retreat

2015-08-21 Guided Standing Meditation Part 02 38:17 Download Listen Spirit Rock Meditation Center :  Monastic Retreat