Online Sangha Video Archive

The meeting opened with an opening prayer and discussion about presence and connection in spiritual practice, followed by teachings on consciousness growth and the three pillars of life. The group explored various meditation practices and techniques, including discussions about body tension, telepathy, and intuitive connections. The conversation ended with a guided meditation and dedication prayer, emphasising the importance of consistent and quality practice in spiritual development.

Participants shared their personal meditation experiences, including techniques for managing physical pain through movement and breath-work. The group discussed the challenges of embodying Buddhist teachings like loving-kindness and patience, noting the difference between intellectual understanding and direct experience. Meditation approaches were mentioned, including the Nine Realm Breath, preliminary exercises, and establishing a consistent practice routine to maintain focus and awareness.

Practitioners discuss quieter mental chatter from regular Shamatha (concentration) practice and explore how posture—chairs or cushions, hip-knee alignment, and hand placement—affects steadiness. There is discussion on how to return attention when the mind drifts where Geshe notes bringing focus back to the chosen object or resting awareness. A brief discussion of tummo clarifies it follows only after concentration is stable.

This live Q&A session explores the role of different meditation styles in supporting emotional regulation. The group discusses how concentration practices impact reactivity, and whether they are suitable for states of freezing or collapse. The conversation clarifies distinctions between structured and open methods, reflecting ATRI Sessions Five and Six…

This session offers reflections in preparation for a concentration retreat, with discussion of the Eight Consciousnesses and how subtle activity in the mind-stream shapes meditation. The group explore stability, attention, and how psychological habits influence awareness. The session supports foundational understanding aligned with ATRI Session Five.

This session follows a 7-day retreat on the Nine stages of staying using Asangha’s Elephant Path and focuses on integrating concentration into ongoing practice. Participants reflect on the foundational role of stabilising attention as preparation for insight, the connection to view, and the relevance of structured practice when approaching emptiness teachings.

This session focuses on preparation for the upcoming retreat, including reflections on motivation, capacity, and readiness. The group discusses balancing spiritual aspiration with personal limitations, and how to assess whether conditions feel supportive. Attention is given to common hesitations and the importance of clarifying intention and alignment.

This session revisits the theme of concentration and explores the challenges of sustaining it. Topics include distraction, subtle avoidance, and the tendency to favour spacious practices over disciplined focus. Reflections include how resistance shows up, how effort is understood, and how concentration relates to stability in meditation.

This session discusses yogic conduct and the continuity of awareness beyond formal meditation. The group explores how post-meditation practice functions in everyday life, and how presence can be maintained in action and speech. Teachings are shared on embodiment, conduct as expression, and how internal practice shapes outer behaviour.

This session outlines the year’s structure and introduces the upcoming retreat focused on concentration. The group discusses the role of the Elephant Path as a framework for stabilising attention, and the importance of strengthening foundational practice before moving into insight. Reflections also cover the relevance of preliminaries and the value of consistent preparation.