Ajahn Brahmavamso, renowned for his profound teachings on meditation, offers invaluable insights into cultivating a peaceful mind amidst the modern world’s constant distractions. His approach to meditation transcends the typical struggle of repeatedly bringing the mind back to the object of focus. Instead, he encourages practitioners to adopt a new attitude toward meditation, one that emphasizes cultivating contentment and delight in stillness.
Wandering thoughts in meditation
A common challenge meditators face is the persistent flow of wandering thoughts. Most meditation practices emphasise bringing the mind back to the object of meditation each time it strays. However, Ajahn Brahm takes a different approach. Instead of battling these distractions, he advises practitioners to investigate why these thoughts arise. Often, they stem from discontentment, an urge to escape, or restlessness.
Ajahn Brahm teaches that meditation isn’t about struggling against your mind but understanding it. By applying wisdom rather than force, practitioners can naturally find peace. This wisdom comes from recognising the causes of distraction and gently shifting towards an attitude of contentment, making meditation more harmonious and sustainable.
Embracing contentment
Ajahn Brahm emphasises the importance of physical comfort in meditation. He encourages practitioners to find a posture that brings them peace and relaxation, rather than rigidly adhering to traditional poses. When the body is relaxed, the mind can settle into ease as well.
He also highlights the value of noticing and cherishing the joy that arises from relaxation. Just as one protects something valuable, meditators should safeguard the happiness found in peaceful moments. When this joy is valued, it tends to linger longer, transforming meditation into a delightful experience rather than a mere discipline.
The delight of stillness
True meditation, according to Ajahn Brahm, goes beyond mere concentration on an object or breath. It involves developing a sense of delight in stillness. He teaches that when the mind is content and happy, it naturally finds peace. This joy emerges as meditators begin to appreciate the quietness within themselves, recognising its value.
Once the body relaxes, the mind follows. Stillness then becomes a source of effortless happiness, with disturbing thoughts fading into the background. Meditation transforms into a space of calm where the mind rests in quiet delight.
Nature’s silence as a teacher
Ajahn Brahm often shares stories of how nature’s stillness can inspire peace. One memorable story recounts his experience walking through a snow-covered forest in southern England. The absolute silence, as everything – from animals to people – remained still, created a magical moment of contentment.
Another story involves his time in deep caves, where absolute silence prevails, even in noisy environments like Thailand or Sri Lanka. These experiences remind meditators that stillness, much like nature’s, should be revered and enjoyed, helping to deepen their practice.
Finding peace by valuing stillness
Rather than suppressing thoughts, Ajahn Brahm advises focusing on the stillness between them. Thoughts, much like waves on a tranquil lake, are temporary disturbances that fade when they are no longer given attention. By shifting focus to the background of stillness, meditators can achieve deep peace with little effort.
Ajahn Brahm encourages practitioners to develop an appreciation for this stillness, allowing the mind to quiet naturally. Thoughts become less of a nuisance, and the mind can rest in the beauty of inner calm.
Cultivating joy and peace in meditation
Ajahn Brahmavamso’s teachings remind us that meditation is not about forcing the mind into stillness. Instead, it’s about cultivating joy in that stillness, being kind to the body, and finding peace through contentment. His wisdom encourages meditators to cherish those quiet moments, allowing the mind to rest naturally in the delight of peace.
By turning attention away from distractions and valuing the blissful silence that lies beneath the noise, we discover the true essence of meditation — a powerful tool for inner transformation and lasting happiness.
Join Ajahn Brahm in Sri Lanka – May 2025
Ajahn Brahm will visit Sri Lanka in May 2025, bringing his wisdom and humour to a wider audience. He will deliver a public sermon at the BMICH on May 18. This is a rare opportunity to experience his teachings first hand and deepen your meditation practice under his guidance.
