Ajahn Brahm Podcast

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Latest Episodes:

Interconnectedness Oct 26, 2025

Show notes

This talk is about the concept of interconnectedness, which is the idea that our actions and thoughts have a wider effect on others and the world around us. Ajahn Brahm talks about how small acts of kindness and caring can have a big impact, and encourages people to take responsibility for their actions. He also mentions a funny anecdote about a dancing lollipop lady in London. In this talk, Ajahn Brahm discusses the concept of interconnectedness and how small acts of kindness and happiness can spread, as well as the importance of detaching and disconnecting from negativity and being responsible for one's own happiness.

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This dhamma talk was originally recorded using a low quality MP3 to save on file size on 29th June 2007. It has now been remastered and published by the Everyday Dhamma Network, and will be of interest to his many fans.

These talks by Ajahn Brahm 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.

Dealing With Your Emotions Oct 19, 2025

Show notes

This talk is about dealing with emotions from a Buddhist perspective. Ajahn Brahm points out that often people talk about negative emotions such as grief, anger, and fear, but positive emotions like inspiration, love, and compassion are also important. He mentions that emotions can be manipulated, as seen in movies and auctions, and shares a personal story about witnessing the calming of a distraught woman by a monk. The monk's calmness helped her gain perspective on her friend's suicide. The story says that the emotions that we feel are often created by our own thoughts and perceptions. The speaker gives examples of anger, fear, and grief and how they can be triggered and reinforced by our unskillful thinking. He encourages us to be more mindful and aware of our thoughts and to try to understand where our emotions come from.

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This dhamma talk was originally recorded using a low quality MP3 to save on file size on 1st June 2007. It has now been remastered and published by the Everyday Dhamma Network, and will be of interest to his many fans.

Accountability Oct 11, 2025

Show notes

Ajahn Brahm introduces the topic of accountability and how it is pertinent to issues such as climate change and ethics. He discuss how the demands of the present can take priority and prevent people from addressing bigger problems. He also talk about the benefits of slowing down and seeing the bigger picture in life, such as through monasteries and retreat centers. This talk discusses the importance of ethics and accountability in modern society, particularly in relation to issues like global warming and climate change. The speaker, a Buddhist monk, talks about how the belief in rebirth and the understanding of consequences for actions in future lives can help people to see the bigger picture and take ethical decisions. He also mentions the importance of wisdom in being compassionate, and how lack of wisdom can sometimes lead to unintended negative consequences.

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Buddhism and Sects Oct 04, 2025

Show notes

The title of the talk is Buddhism and Sex, but it is actually about the different sects of Buddhism. The speaker explains that there should be no judgment or hierarchy between different traditions and that it is more important to focus on how one uses the teachings. He gives examples of how monks from different traditions work together and that in reality, there is no difference between these traditions. He also mentions that common sense is an important aspect of Buddhism, as beliefs and dogmas can sometimes get in the way Buddhism is a religion that focuses on common sense and does not have any dogmas or texts that dictate what is right or wrong. Because of this, Buddhists have the freedom to express their own understanding of virtue and ethics. Unlike other religions, Buddhism does not have a central figure or hierarchy, which means each temple or monastery is responsible for its own success or failure.

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The Right To Believe? Sep 28, 2025

Show notes

The talk discusses the topic of the right to believe and how it affects our everyday lives. Ajahn Brahm brings up the dangers and consequences of holding extreme or harmful beliefs, such as seen in cases of mental illness or acts of violence. He also discusses the prioritization of beliefs and how it can lead to conflicts, using the example of a couple who argue over whether a sound is made by a chicken or a duck. The talk ultimately emphasizes the importance of critically examining our beliefs and ensuring that the most important of focusing on the primary beliefs of peace, harmony, and love.

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This dhamma talk was originally recorded using a low quality MP3 to save on file size on 18th May 2007. It has now been remastered and published by the Everyday Dhamma Network, and will be of interest to his many fans.

Freedom: The Path to Happiness Sep 21, 2025

Show notes

Ajahn Brahm talks about the possibility of real happiness in modern life and the cause of unhappiness. He mentions how people today are attached to suffering and grief, which is a cultural addition that does not exist in certain societies. He also discusses how people can form their identities around their suffering and enjoy the negative emotions, such as anger, grief, and jealousy. The Buddha teaches that there is a delight in these negative emotions, or else people
wouldn't engage in them. Buddhism teaches that attachment to negative emotions, such as anger, jealousy, and grief, can prevent us from being truly happy. The Buddha observed that people often attach to these negative emotions because they feel a sense of delight in them, but they fail to see the danger and harm that comes from holding onto them. This attachment can also stem from societal expectations, such as the need for retribution and punishment for wrongdoing. However,
Buddhism suggests that the most important thing is to let go.

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This dhamma talk was originally recorded using a low quality MP3 to save on file size on 27th April 2007. It has now been remastered and published by the Everyday Dhamma Network, and will be of interest to his many fans.

Buddhism in the Business World Sep 14, 2025

Show notes

Ajahn Brahm disagrees with the belief that Buddhism and business do not match and argues that Buddhism has a lot to offer in the workplace. Mindfulness and compassion are important principles that Buddhism teaches, and Buddhism has developed strategies to apply these principles effectively. Caring for those involved in a business can lead to increased motivation and efficiency.

Investigation Into The Ethics of Military Service Sep 07, 2025

Show notes

Growing up in London in the 1960s and protesting against the Vietnam War, Ajahn Brahm could never imagine that serving in the military was compatible with being a Buddhist. But a meeting with Buddhist servicemen in Britain caused him to rethink the ethics of military service and to challenge his own preconceptions. This talk is a thoughtful exploration of the ethics of serving in the military and various situations in life where simplistic, rules-based ethics falls short. Ajahn Brahm asks people to look at ethical choices from multiple perspectives and to be informed not just by rules, but compassionate intentions and wisdom. And to not judge the difficult ethical decisions others make until we’ve looked at it from other perspectives.

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Building a House of Peace Aug 31, 2025

Show notes

Ajahn Brahm gives a talk on what meditation is and how it works. And how to find the most meaningful answer of all through the lived experience of deep peace inside the mind.

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This dhamma talk was originally recorded using a low quality MP3 to save on file size on 13th April 2007. It has now been remastered and published by the Everyday Dhamma Network, and will be of interest to his many fans.

Higher Criticism Aug 23, 2025

Show notes

This talk is about how to deal with criticism in a wise and positive way, and why people often react negatively to criticism. We tend to take criticism personally because we identify with our ideas, views, and sense of self. It's important to have a more malleable sense of self and be open to change in order to be more receptive to criticism.

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