Equanimity & Activism: Live Q&A with Ajahn Sona from Sun Peaks, BC

Ajahn Sona gives a Dhamma Talk on "Equanimity & Activism" and answers questions from around the world.

Index of Questions:

00:00 - Introduction
02:09 - Dhamma Talk: Equanimity & Ecological/Social Activism
22:17 - How does one sit with painful feelings and not run away to unwholesome distractions all the time?
27:06 - Does “patient endurance as the ultimate austerity” mean just accepting your boredom and dullness until it passes?
30:04 - One of your older talks is called “Drop the Sense of Separation”. Can you say more of what that means?
34:07 - Should we be using our minds to focus on a better world, or should be be emptying our minds?
37:33 - What practices can we utilize to stay healthy among the sick?
40:14 - How do you deal with the physical pain of stress and anxiety?
42:18 - How can we have a full diet and still care for the planet?
48:36 - How do we not get affected when we are in a toxic situation, dealing with bullies or taking care of sick loved ones?
53:52 - In your video about Right View, you mentioned it is about a selection of views, not about waiting for evidence. How does this fit in with the Dhamma being ehipassiko?
56:13 - I heard you talk about sankaras as “choices” and “emotions. How should I understand sankaras as each or both of things?
58:13 - How does one uphold the Five Precepts when a large majority of friends repeatedly break them - such as drinking and smoking?
59:22 - I’ve told my school friends I am homosexual, and I don’t have friends left. Does Buddhism accept homosexuals?
1:02:02 - Can you elaborate on people creating stories about their lives? Are there any beneficial stories?
01:05:09 - I have grief over the loss of species on the planet. It seems helpful to let these feelings flow through, cry, and let go. Is there a place for tears?
1:07:19 - Would you say human beings are innately peaceful and loving? Is our basic nature rooted in compassion and we lose our way, occasionally?
1:09:08 - In your talk “Buddhist vs Western Psychology”, you said “we don’t deal with childhood as such.” Couldn’t it be said that childhood issues are present kamma?
1:11:12 - What is the purpose of monasticism?