The Samadhi Podcast - Meditation & Buddhism | Self Improvement | Personal Growth | Motivation

This is a guided meditation on experiencing the mind & body as a lake. During this practice, we mindfully attend to our experience of all sensations inside and outside the mind and body. Breath by breath, moment by moment, we bring awareness to our experience of being. This experience allows us to access an inner stillness and calmness that is present within us at all times and can be accessed anywhere, at any time. Support the show (https://samadhi.org.uk/support/)

In this episode, David addresses a question regarding changing habits - becoming aware of them, breaking damaging habits, and embedding new positive ones. Talking practically from his own experience, and using the analogy of a bus station and a road network, David talks about how habits are formed and suggests some helpful ways we can use conscious effort and self-awareness to overcome these negative habits and to cultivate positive ones. Support the show (https://samadhi.org.uk/support/)

This is a guided meditation on the second close application of mindfulness - mindfulness of feelings (Skt. vedana). The four close applications of mindfulness (Skt. smrityupasthana; Pali. satipatthana) are the bedrock of the Buddha's teachings on vipashyana, and as the Buddha described them: the direct path to nirvana. In this guided practice we attend closely to the different types of feelings (pleasure, displeasure, and indifference) arising in relation to sensations from our five physical...

In this episode, Dassetu explores the idea of developing a daily meditation practice. It is common to think of meditation and mindfulness as a remedy to life's problems, like paracetamol for a headache, but really, meditation extends far beyond an activity done sitting down in the traditional way we think of. With simple changes in our life, we can be cultivating our heart-mind every moment of every day. Support the show (https://samadhi.org.uk/support/)

This is a guided meditation on R.A.I.N., recorded by Charlotte Adler. R.A.I.N. is a method by which we release painful emotions through mindfulness and self-compassion. Charlotte explains more about R.A.I.N. in Episode 13 of this podcast. This is a beautiful meditation and we're so grateful to Charlotte for her kindness in sharing this with us. We're sure it will benefit many. May all beings be happy. Support the show (https://samadhi.org.uk/support/)

In this episode, we are joined by Charlotte Adler of Bodhicitta Lifeworks. Charlotte is a healer, therapeutic counsellor, and meditation guide and has spent the last 13 years or so helping women to deal with all aspects of recovery in the aftermath of addiction and trauma. Extensive studies in Buddhist Psychology plus time spent in Northern India practising both yoga and meditation, have led her to her current position, offering, with the greatest joy, accessible Dharma workshops and guided...

In this episode, David explores a common emotion that many of us experience on a regular basis: frustration. Frustration comes from non-acceptance and our ‘grasping’ at our expectations. It comes from not wanting things to be a certain way and being unable to accept things the way they are. But, as we'll see, frustration is not an inherent part of our mind and is something we can reduce and remove altogether. The Buddha offered a range of simple methods to calm ourselves and let go of our...

This is a guided meditation on Loving-Kindness (maitrī in Sanskrit). Loving Kindness is the first of the Four Immeasurables, a rich compilation of practices that open the heart, counter the distortions in our relationships with ourselves and deepens our relationship with others. The essential nature of loving-kindness is a yearning that the person we are directing our attention to be well and happy. The object of one's loving-kindness may be oneself, another human being, an animal, or any...

In this episode, David talks about love and attachment, and the key to happy, healthy and loving relationships from a Buddhist perspective. For a lot of us, if someone was to ask us "what would make your relationship with your partner better?" our answer would be something that our partner should do differently. It may even be a whole list that we have prepared. But as we venture on the path of meditation and self-inquiry, we realise that, as with everything, our relationships are subjective...

This is a short 15-minute guided anāpānasati practice. Simply meaning 'mindfulness of breathing,' anāpānasati was the meditation practice most widely emphasized by the Buddha. It is a practice in which mindful breathing is used to develop samadhi (concentration) and achieve the state of shamatha (calm abiding) and is especially suited for those who are prone to rumination and overthinking. The Buddha said 'Concentration by mindfulness of breathing, when developed and cultivated, is peaceful,...

In this episode, David addresses the question 'how to stop thinking 1000 thoughts during meditation?' Talking practically from his own experience and what's been taught by contemplatives for thousands of years, he explores key practices for those prone to rumination and suggests some helpful tips. This episode was also recorded as a video which has been published on our website & Facebook. The guided meditation is included in the video, or as a Podcast in Episode 9 - Guided Meditation -...

In this episode, David addresses the question: what should I do when I feel sad and overwhelmed? In modern life, in the pursuit of a successful and happy life, we have a tendency to abuse the mind without even realising it. This leaves us feeling unbalanced, detached, unhappy, easily overwhelmed, and at times unable to function. These are symptoms of an unbalanced mind that is being abused. Now is the time to learn the art of grounding yourself, countering this abuse by cultivating emotional...

This is a 15-minute guided meditation in which we engage in the practice of settling body, speech and mind in their natural states. This practice is a wonderful preparation for any meaningful endeavour and can be used as a meditation in itself or as a preliminary practice to a longer meditation session. The purpose of the practice is to settle the body, speech & mind with the three qualities of relaxation, stillness & clarity. By practising in this way, our mind will settle, and it's...

In this episode, David answers the question 'Why Meditate?' and explains why everyone should meditate. When we first try to meditate, we notice that our mind is all over the place. This experience shows us how little control we have over our mind. Having so little control over our mind is the reason why we experience negative feelings and are not able to be happy. Meditation is more than just a fun way to relax, it is essential if we want to experience our deepest wish which drives our...

This is a 15-minute guided meditation in which we turn our attention to the space of the mind - the domain where thoughts, images, memories, and feelings arise. This meditation helps us to become familiar with the true nature of our human mind and the true nature of our mental activity, by taking a step back from being dragged along and instead, simply observing. When we are experiencing crippling anxiety, stress, depression, and other strong negative emotions, it is easy to become...

In this episode, David (Dassetu) explores anxiety, worry, and stress - how they arise in our mind, how we can overcome them, and some practical tips for what to do about any anxiety and worry that we are experiencing right now. In our life, it can seem that there is so much to worry about and be anxious over, especially in the middle of the coronavirus pandemic, and so now more than ever it is important to distinguish between outer problems and situations, and the inner problem of our...

In this episode, David (Dassetu) introduces the Samadhi Podcast and discusses a core Buddhist theme: Genuine Happiness. The desire to be happy and free from any form of discomfort or suffering is a desire common to all sentient beings; from small insects to animals, to humans. But, despite this desire and all our efforts, have we really found the happiness, fulfilment and contentment that we seek? Why does this happiness seem so elusive? Support the show (https://samadhi.org.uk/support/)

This is a 15-minute guided breathing meditation, designed to help you totally relax and release the turbulence of thoughts and feelings that can plague your mind. This meditation will help you to uncover the natural inner peace, sense of wellbeing and genuine happiness that is already there within your own mind. Meditation is a method for calming the mind and developing a positive approach to life. Through meditation, we can learn to deeply relax, gain control of our feelings and emotions,...