Clear Mountain Monastery Project
by Clear Mountain Monastery
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Where Is Your Joy? Curing the Dry Heart in Modern Buddhism | Ajahn…
Where Is Your Joy? Curing the Dry Heart in Modern Buddhism | Ajahn…
About this podcast
Dharma talks from monastics at Clear Mountain, an aspiring Buddhist Forest monastery in the greater Seattle area. The Forest Tradition represents a return to the simple way of life taught by the Buddha. Monastics aspire to live as the early disciples did: dwelling in the forest, studying the teachings, and devoting themselves to meditation. To learn more, visit https://wwww.clearmountain.org.
Episodes
The newest 50 of 100 episodes
- Where Is Your Joy? Curing the Dry Heart in Modern Buddhism | Ajahn Nisabho · 50 minIn this talk, Ajahn Nisabho speaks about the critical imbalance underlying many Western and modern practitioners' approach to practice. When we lean into a narrow, ascetic vision…
- Between Two Worlds: A Deep Lay Life Lived in the Monastery | Debbie Stamp Q&A · 1 h 10 minA conversation with Debbie Stamp, upāsaka steward and founding force of Abhayagiri Forest Monastery (www.abhayagiri.org)00:00:00 Welcome and Introduction00:02:36 Debbie's Role at…
- “Don’t Worry, Everything is Out of Control”: The Mixed Karma of Voting or Not | Ajahn Sona Q&A · 1 h 9 minIn this Q&A session, Ajahn Sona speaks about how to hold the fraught political landscape of the present, the significance of our daily actions and intentions as "political" acts…
- Not a Faith, but an Education: Epistemic Humility & the Buddhist Approach to Truth | Ajahn Nisabho · 1 h 14 minIn this Q&A, done with the Pali Canon - Majjhima Nikaya - Book Club (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=69n9ObQ6zIo), Ajahn Nisabho answers questions regarding truth as revealed in…
- Insane Compassion—Into the Fire With a Former Radical, Lesbian, Separatist Feminist | Robina Courtin · 1 h 7 minA conversation with Venerable Robina Courtin (https://robinacourtin.com/):00:00:00 Introduction00:02:13 Meaning of the saying "Everything exists on the tip of a wish."00:03:08…
- Not So Great Expectations: The Danger of “What if?” & Shoulding Ourselves & Others | Bhante Rāhula · 1 h 10 minIn this talk, Bhante Rāhula, visiting from Paññabhumi Monastery in Jalisco, Mexico, speaks about the danger of expectation, and how attachment to our desires inevitably leads to…
- ”Devas Take an Interest”: A Former Professor’s Vision of the Hidden Forces Among Us | Ajahn Pavaro · 1 h 19 minA conversation with Ajahn Pavaro, senior monastic and teacher at Tisarana Buddhist Monastery in Perth, Ontario (https://tisarana.ca/) and sometimes Anandagiri Monastery, Thailand…
- Walk to the Mountain: A Vision Lands | A 3-Day Community Pilgrimage Documentary · 14 minhttps://www.clearmountain.org/https://linktr.ee/clear_mountain_monasteryhttps://www.friendsofclearmountain.org/land-development/CHAPTERS00:00 Introduction & Setting the…
- Finding (Stevie) Wonder in Your Practice: Joy as an Indispensible Spiritual Tool | Bhante Rāhula · 48 minIn this talk, Bhante Rahula, visiting from Paññabhumi Monastery in Jalisco, Mexico, speaks about joy as an essential spiritual tool which we may access by appreciating all the…
- Talking Back at Māra: ”I Hate to Waste a Perfectly Good Disaster” | Ayya Sudhamma Q&A · 1 h 12 minIn this session, Ayya Sudhamma, abbess of Charlotte Buddhist Vihara (https://www.charlottebuddhistvihara.org/), joins Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho for a conversation. Read her…
- Recalibrating Sanity Through Unbounded Space | Ajahn Kovilo · 44 minIn this session, Ajahn Kovilo discusses various skilful means—specifically ones related to a felt sense of spaciousness—for relating to the 5 hindrances of:00:00 Introduction to…
- Punk Rock Dhamma: Bringing Down the Edifice With Curiosity, Humility ... But Not AI | Bhante Sujato · 1 h 5 minThis is PART TWO of Clear Mountain's interview with Bhante Sujāto, co-founder of SuttaCentral.net and abbot of Lokanta Vihara. Watch PART ONE here…
- What’s To Give Light Must Endure Burning: Suffering’s Alchemy in Theravāda Practice | Aj. Nisabho · 52 minIn this talk, Ajahn Nisabho speaks about the definitions of "dukkha", and the importance of understanding its various meanings in order to practice skillfully towards its ending…
- Into the Mire of Buddhist Controversy? How Christian Jealousy Birthed SuttaCentral | Bhante Sujato · 55 minThis is PART ONE of Clear Mountain's interview with Bhante Sujāto, co-founder of SuttaCentral.net and abbot of Lokanta Vihara. Watch PART TWO being premiered next Wednesday here…
- The Key of Compassion: Finding Meaning Behind Bars | Thubten Chodron · 1 h 1 minThe Key of Compassion (Free Download): https://sravastiabbey.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/The_Key_of_Compassion_v2026-04-09_ClearMtn_Secured.pdfIn this interview, Ven. Chodron…
- From Uganda to the Dalai Lama: The Chronicles of an African Seeker in India | Bhante Buddharakkhita · 58 minIn this talk, Bhante Buddharakkhita, visiting from Uganda, speaks about his journey from Africa into Buddhism, and how the first four blessings described by the Buddha in the…
- Hello Dukkha, My Old Friend: American Suffering through the Eyes of a Tough Canadian | Ajahn Pasanno · 1 h 0 minIn this interview, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho speak with Luang Por Pasanno about dukkha (suffering & unsatisfactoriness), in its personal, social, physical, and psychological…
- Lunar Spirituality: The Nocturnal Dharma of Liminal Dreaming & Dream Yoga | Andrew Holecek PART TWO · 1 h 12 minThis is PART TWO of Clear Mountain's interview with Andrew Holecek—scholar, practitioner, and "student of the night" (https://www.andrewholecek.com/). Watch PART ONE here…
- Zen & the Art of Poetry at the Edge: Everything is Waiting For You | David Whyte Q&A · 59 minIn this session, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho engage in a conversation with poet David Whyte (https://davidwhyte.com/). 00:00:00 Introduction & Spiritual Background00:09:48…
- Meditating in Total Darkness: Divine vs Diabolical Darkness | Andrew Holecek PART ONE · 1 h 10 minThis is PART ONE of Clear Mountain's interview with Andrew Holecek—scholar, practitioner, and "student of the night" (https://www.andrewholecek.com/). Watch PART TWO here…
- From Seattle to North Bend: A Lotus With Every Step | Ayya Anandabodhi, Ajahn Kovilo & Ajahn Nisabho · 45 min00:00 Chanting Together00:52 Ayyā Ānandabodhi — Walking Right Here08:04 Ajahn Kovilo — Walking With Stillness: The World Moving Through Us16:58 Ajahn Nisabho — Path as Duty…
- Returning to Nature through Wuwei: Simplifying, Sensitizing, & Surrendering | Jason Bartlett Q&A · 1 h 30 minESSAYSReturn to Simplicity Through Wuwei: https://luminousdharma.org/return-to-simplicity-through-wuwei/Returning to Nature…
- Essence, Energy, & Emptiness: Taoist Energy Alchemy for Buddhist Liberation | Ajahn Nisabho · 55 minIn this talk, Ajahn Nisabho the Buddha's directions towards developing jhāna through mindfulness of breathing, as articulated in the Ānāpānassati Sutta (MN 18…
- Buddhist Lotus, Taoist Roots: An Ancient Blueprint for Modern Practice | Jason Bartlett Q&A · 2 h 5 minESSAY: http://Luminousdharma.org/awakening-alchemy/PAIRED VIDEO: https://youtu.be/_GUvwlg8bHIDESCRIPTIONAwakening Alchemy is a system of body, breath, energy, and spirit…
- A How-To Guide to Space! Is There A Final Frontier? | Ajahn Kovilo · 49 minIn this session, Ajahn Kovilo speaks about four doors to entering into the perception of space (ākāsa-saññā or ākāsānañcāyatana-saññā):1) transcending form (rūpasaññānaṃ…
- We All Bow to Something: Adhiṭṭhāna, Vows, & the Architecture of Aspiration | Ajahn Nisabho · 46 minIn this talk, Ajahn Nisabho speaks the importance in practice of directing attention and intention to shape our path and experience. The word "adhiṭṭāna" ("determination" or…
- How to Laugh First: Renunciate ProTips for Beautiful Breaths & Truckloads of Bliss | Ajahn Brahm Q&A · 1 h 15 minIn this session, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho interview Ajahn Brahm, abbot of Bodhinyana Monastery (https://bswa.org/). The discussion delves into Ajahn's path to ordination…
- Mahāyāna Satipaṭṭhāna: Thich Nhat Hanh’s Theravāda Bonafides | Brother Pháp Lưu Q&A · 1 h 5 minIn this session, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho interview Brother Pháp Lưu, the eldest non-Vietnamese American monk in the Plum Village tradition who is currently at Deer Park…
- From Dharma Prince To Homeless Beggar: A Tibetan Tudong In Love With The World | Mingyur Rinpoche · 59 minIn this interview, Ajahn Kovilo & Ajahn Nisabho speak with Mingyur Rinpoche (https://tergar.org/)00:00 Introduction03:29 Monastic Background and Biography06:22 Motivation for the…
- The Buddha’s Blueprint for Wellbeing: It’s Not Just For Buddhist | Ajahn Kovilo · 41 minIn this session, Ajahn Kovilo speaks about the Four Noble Truths and the Discourse on Setting in Motion of the Wheel of Dhamma in honor of Āsāḷha Pūjā.Tune in with fellow…
- Q&A: Perceiving Nibbāna, Bodhisattvas vs. Arahants, & Can Laypeople Attain Jhāna? | CM Monks · 60 minIn this session, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho celebrate Āsāḷha Pūjā by speaking about the Setting in Motion the Wheel of Dhamma Sutta (SN 56.11 - Dhammacakkappavattanasutta)…
- Have You Forgotten Your Freedom? Prison Program Leaders & a Monk on Liberation Behind Bars | GRIP · 1 h 6 minIn this session, Ajahn Nisabho speaks with Kim Grose Moore and Tommy "Shakur" Ross from the GRIP (Guiding Rage Into Power) Training Institute…
- ”There Won’t Be a Second”: A Devotional to Luang Por Sumedho, the Most Ordinary Human | Ajahn Vinita · 43 minIn this session, Ajahn Vinita, longtime attendant and student of Luang Por Sumedho, speaks with deep devotional warmth and sweetness about his affection and love for his teacher…
- The Miraculous Nature of the Ordinary: A Daylong Retreat on Gratitude | Bhante Rahula · 2 h 20 minGratitude Retreat Part 1: https://youtu.be/Bs-ymolbjqsIn this second portion of the daylong gratitude retreat given in June of 2026, Bhante Rahula speaks about the essential…
- What Do You Want to Do with the Time You Have Left? The Radical Courage of Practice | Bhante Rahula · 1 h 11 minGratitude Retreat Part 2: https://youtu.be/RJ1mAYVhJ-YIn this first talk of the daylong gratitude retreat given in June of 2026, Bhante Rahula speaks about how to use practice to…
- Billionaires Crying All Night, Because They Don’t Understand Dukkha | Luang Por Damrong Siribaddho · 39 min00:00 Intro & THAI Part-1: On Merit, Meditation, Impermanence, and Karma15:10 ENGLISH TRANSLATION Part-124:25 Question: Expressing Gratitude and Asking About Sitting…
- The Warrior Practice of Nooks & Crannies: A Wholehearted Guide to ”Korwat” | Ajahn Nyaniko Q&A · 1 h 1 minIn this session, Ajahn Kovilo will be interviewing Ajahn Nyaniko—abbot of Abhayagiri Monastery in California—about the Thai Forest methods of training the heart as found in the…
- Life is Just Breath... Yet Sooo Many Problems! | Luang Por Damrong Sucitto · 30 min00:00 Intro and THAI Part-1: On Taking Precepts07:13 ENGLISH TRANSLATION Part-1 10:28 THAI Part-2: Main Talk21:47 ENGLISH TRANSLATION Part-2In this talk, Luang Por Damrong…
- Drunk on Life: Seeing Ducks as Chickens & Life as Flickerless Flame | Luang Por Jundee · 1 h 17 min00:00:00 THAI - Luang Por Jandee on Three Types of Drunkenness00:15:46 ENGLISH TRANSLATION00:32:40 Q1 - Practicing Right View as a layperson00:33:31 THAI - Right View00:34:36…
- Relationship Advice from Two Celibate Monks: Seclusion without Delusion | Aj. Kovilo & Aj. Nisabho · 53 minIn this Q&A session, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho discuss seclusion of body (kāya-viveka) and seclusion of mind (citta-viveka), how to apply the fourth establishment of…
- All the Pendence! Independence, Interdependence, Co-Dependence, & Dependence | Ajahn Kovilo · 34 minIn this talk—given on July 4th, 2026—Ajahn Kovilo speaks about dependence (nissaya, paccaya), interdependence (aññāmaññapaccaya), and independence (anissita) in their various…
- The Interbeing of Nun and All: A Joyful, Engaged Life with Thich Nhat Hanh | Kaira Jewel Lingo Q&A · 1 h 5 minIn this session, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho speak with Kaira Jewel Lingo, teacher, author, and former nun whose work integrates the traditions of Zen and Vipassana with a…
- An Engineer’s Guide to Buddhism: A Google Acts of Peace & Joy on Demand | Chade-Meng Tan Q&A · 1 h 3 minIn this interview, Ahahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho speak with early Google engineer and author Chade-Meng Tan (https://chademeng.com/). He is also the founder of Buddhism.net…
- Five Recollections to Counter Intoxication With Youth, Health, & Life | Ajahn Kovilo · 49 minIn this session, Ajahn Kovilo speaks about bringing loving-awareness and creativity to one's practice of the Five Subjects for Frequent Recollection:1) "I am of the nature to…
- Fantastic Monastics! | Ayya Niyyānika, Ajahn Pandit, Ajahn Cunda, Bhante Rāhula, & Maechee Paññāsiri · 24 minIn this series of five talks given on June 20 for Clear Mountain's fourth annual Almsgiving Ceremony, we hear from 5 monastics:00:00:00 - Ayya Niyyānika on how practice begins…
- The Dhamma of Asking Questions: Deep Listening Advice From A Professional Interviewer | Steve James · 1 h 6 minIn this session, Ajahn Kovilo and Ajahn Nisabho interview Steve James, meditation teacher & host of the Guru Viking Podcast (https://www.guruviking.com/).00:00:00 Introduction…
- ”Beware of the Perfect Monastery”: From Spiritual Idealism to Spiritual Realism | Ajahn Sudanto · 16 minIn this talk given on June 20 on the occasion of Clear Mountain's fourth annual Almsgiving Ceremony, Ajahn Sudanto—abbot of The Pacific Hermitage in White Salmon, WA—speaks about…
- Uncompromising Attunement: Navigating Hellish, Hungry, & Exalted Realms & Places | Ayyā Ānandabodhī · 14 minIn this talk given on June 20 on the occasion of Clear Mountain's fourth annual Almsgiving Ceremony, Ayya Ānandabodhi—abbess of Pārāyana Vihara in Port Townsend, WA—speaks about…
- Interested & Excited: Gardening the Heart & Tooling Up Your Cultivation | Ajahn Cunda · 54 minIn this session, Ajahn Cunda—Abhayagiri-ordained senior monk and good friend of Ajahns Kovilo and Nisabho—speaks about cultivation as a garden and a tool kit ... and how to use a…
- The Hard Knox of Metta: How to Survive Prison, Forgive Your Prosecutor, & Love Anyone | Amanda Knox · 60 minIn this interview, Ajahn Nisabho speaks with Amanda Knox, who was falsely convicted of murder in 2009, about her journey to find meaning in prison and forgiveness afterwards. The…
