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The Practice of Emptiness
practical meditation teaching with Jeff Oliver
@little Bangkok Meditation Center, Ekkamai
Saturday 13th August, 4-6pm
Overview:
One of our regular, and most popular, meditation teachers Jeff Oliver will be in Bangkok for a weekend. He’s a a great speaker – interesting and informative.
There is no charge for these events. Donations for the refreshments, and for travelling expenses are welcome.
- 3-4pm gather at Ekkamai center (map below)
- 4-6pm Dharma Talk on the practical application of ‘Emptiness’
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About the topic:
‘Emptiness’ is a common term in mahayana Buddhism, and a philosophical concept in Tibetan (and Indian) lineages. It does however, have a a very real and pragmatic side when applied in meditation. Recently, in our course on Indian Budhdism, we’ve been going in depth into the philosophical ramifications of emptiness.
Jeff’s approach is always with a strong emphasis on the practice side of things. Emptiness does appear as a useful training in the oldest teachings of the Buddha.
| And what is the emptiness awareness-release (suññatā cetovimutti)? There is the case where a monk, having gone into the wilderness, to the root of a tree, or into an empty dwelling, considers this: ‘This is empty of self or of anything pertaining to self.’ This is called the emptiness awareness-release. [MN 43, SN 41.7] |
| “Sāriputta, your faculties are clear. The color of your skin is pure and bright. What abiding do you often abide in now, Sāriputta?”
“Now, venerable sir, I often abide in emptiness (suññatāvihāra).” “Good, good, Sāriputta! Now, indeed, you often abide in the abiding of a great man. For this is the abiding of a great man, namely, emptiness. |
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About Jeff:
We’ve hosted Jeff in Bangkok many times – he is always a reliably good public speaker – both entertaining and inspirational. He was formerly a monk for several years in Myanmar under the well known meditation master Sayadaw U Janaka. He’s written several books, and currently lives as a full time dharma teacher (when he’s not surfing in his home country Australia) leading retreats and giving talks in Turkey, Bali, Malaysia, Bangkok, and other places.
Jeff’s style is highly pragmatic, rather than scholarly. He teaches mediation and dharma from his own 20+ year experience as a monk, meditator, and dharma speaker.
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Location
All three sessions will be in ‘APARTMENTS’ meditation studio – our new little Bangkok Meditation centre. Feel free to come earlier from 6:30pm (ish) if you’d like to meet a few of the regulars or catch Jeff before the start of the event.
The centre is 4 minutes walk from Ekkamai BTS station, Bangkok, Thailand. (If the front door is locked, the housekeepers number is on the door – call and she’ll open up for you.)
The map is fabulously clear:
