11/21/24 - The First Four Jhanas

Continuing our discussion on Jhanas, Gregory chats about how to evaluate your meditation practice, identify the Jhana, and properly encourage full awareness of the body. Includes a deep dive of the first four Jhanas and their characteristics. ABOUT HOST GREGORY MALOOF Gregory Maloof is a western Dharma teacher from the Ruth Denison lineage. The Dharma is freely given, but if you would like to support this podcast and pay it forward, you can donate and support it HERE Follow Gregory on Instagram @gregorymaloofdharma To learn about retreats, news, and classes first, CLICK HERE to keep in touch and get on the Wednesday Wake-Up mailing list.   Intro and Outro Music by Lenny Dinardo, Wave Em' In.

Gregory continues with his series on Jhana practice, summing up the first half of the book "With Each and Every Breath" by Thanissaro Bhikkhu. ABOUT HOST GREGORY MALOOF Gregory Maloof is a western Dharma teacher from the Ruth Denison lineage. The Dharma is freely given, but if you would like to support this podcast and pay it forward, you can donate and support it HERE Follow Gregory on Instagram @gregorymaloofdharma To learn about retreats, news, and classes first, CLICK HERE to keep in touch and get on the Wednesday Wake-Up mailing list.   Intro and Outro Music by Lenny Dinardo, Wave Em' In.

This week, Gregory talks about pain in meditation and how to skillfully respond to it.  ABOUT HOST GREGORY MALOOF Gregory Maloof is a western Dharma teacher from the Ruth Denison lineage. The Dharma is freely given, but if you would like to support this podcast and pay it forward, you can donate and support it HERE Follow Gregory on Instagram @gregorymaloofdharma To learn about retreats, news, and classes first, CLICK HERE to keep in touch and get on the Wednesday Wake-Up mailing list.   Intro and Outro Music by Lenny Dinardo, Wave Em' In.

This week, Gregory continues his discussion on Jhana (and its importance) with a bit of history, a reminder about the connection between breath meditation and Buddha's awakening, and practical guidance on breathing into varying parts of the body. Guided meditation practice occurs at 31:58 to 42:38. ABOUT HOST GREGORY MALOOF Gregory Maloof is a western Dharma teacher from the Ruth Denison lineage. The Dharma is freely given, but if you would like to support this podcast and pay it forward, you can donate and support it HERE Follow Gregory on Instagram @gregorymaloofdharma To learn about retreats, news, and classes first, CLICK HERE to keep in touch and get on the Wednesday Wake-Up mailing list.   Intro and Outro Music by Lenny Dinardo, Wave Em' In.  

In this week's episode, Gregory chats about four sublime states of mind, the Brahamviharas.  Love or Loving-kindness (metta) Compassion (karuna) Sympathetic Joy (mudita) Equanimity (upekkha) Tune in to find out why cultivating the above states are key to your daily practice.   ABOUT HOST GREGORY MALOOF Gregory Maloof is a western Dharma teacher from the Ruth Denison lineage. The Dharma is freely given, but if you would like to support this podcast and pay it forward, you can donate and support it HERE Follow Gregory on Instagram @gregorymaloofdharma To learn about retreats, news, and classes first, CLICK HERE to keep in touch and get on the Wednesday Wake-Up mailing list.   Intro and Outro Music by Lenny Dinardo, Wave Em' In.

Jhana (and the pleasures of Jhana) are considered a kind of nourishing food for the mind, even being referred to as "the Food of the Gods".  Today, Gregory chats about mantra practice, the pleasures of Jhana, and how to frame your attitude toward meditation and get the most out of your time on the cushion. ABOUT HOST GREGORY MALOOF Gregory Maloof is a western Dharma teacher from the Ruth Denison lineage. The Dharma is freely given, but if you would like to support this podcast and pay it forward, you can donate and support it HERE Follow Gregory on Instagram @gregorymaloofdharma To learn about retreats, news, and classes first, CLICK HERE to keep in touch and get on the Wednesday Wake-Up mailing list.   Intro and Outro Music by Lenny Dinardo, Wave Em' In.

After a hiatus, Gregory is back!  This week, Gregory chats about how to attune and be present in the body, giving practical exercises and helpful guideposts to cultivate your Jhana meditation practice.  ABOUT HOST GREGORY MALOOF Gregory Maloof is a western Dharma teacher from the Ruth Denison lineage. The Dharma is freely given, but if you would like to support this podcast and pay it forward, you can donate and support it HERE Follow Gregory on Instagram @gregorymaloofdharma To learn about retreats, news, and classes first, CLICK HERE to keep in touch and get on the Wednesday Wake-Up mailing list.   Intro and Outro Music by Lenny Dinardo, Wave Em' In.

In this week's podcast, Gregory chats about doubt as a hinderance, doubt in its skillful uses, and doubt's place in western psychology and human evolution. ABOUT HOST GREGORY MALOOF Gregory Maloof is a western Dharma teacher from the Ruth Denison lineage. The Dharma is freely given, but if you would like to support this podcast and pay it forward, you can donate and support it HERE Follow Gregory on Instagram @gregorymaloofdharma To learn about retreats, news, and classes first, CLICK HERE to keep in touch and get on the Wednesday Wake-Up mailing list.   Intro and Outro Music by Lenny Dinardo, Wave Em' In.

We welcome Ayya Santacitta to the Wednesday Wake-Up podcast!  Ayya Santacitta was a guest of the Wise Spirit Buddhist Community, of which Gregory is the guiding teacher.  She is a nun in the Theravada tradition.  In this week's podcast, she gives a moving and insightful talk on climate change and connection to Earth.  There is also a guided meditation at the 41 min mark. You can read more about Ayya Santacitta and the Aloka Earth Room HERE. ABOUT HOST GREGORY MALOOF Gregory Maloof is a western Dharma teacher from the Ruth Denison lineage. The Dharma is freely given, but if you would like to support this podcast and pay it forward, you can donate and support it HERE Follow Gregory on Instagram @gregorymaloofdharma To learn about retreats, news, and classes first, CLICK HERE to keep in touch and get on the Wednesday Wake-Up mailing list.   Intro and Outro Music by Lenny Dinardo, Wave Em' In.

We're often told to "let go" in the practice, but often times that is easier said than done.  In this week's episode, Gregory chats about letting go and what that practically means in your meditation practice. ABOUT HOST GREGORY MALOOF Gregory Maloof is a western Dharma teacher from the Ruth Denison lineage. The Dharma is freely given, but if you would like to support this podcast and pay it forward, you can donate and support it HERE Follow Gregory on Instagram @gregorymaloofdharma To learn about retreats, news, and classes first, CLICK HERE to keep in touch and get on the Wednesday Wake-Up mailing list.   Intro and Outro Music by Lenny Dinardo, Wave Em' In.