Q&A 29 May 2024

00:39 Q1 - Dear Ajahn. Please help me strengthen my ability to forgive. A precious friend’s actions hurt me a few years ago, so deeply that the echo of the pain is still present. I have offered prostrations, dedications, sutta chanting and metta. The blockage has lessened considerably, but I'm still unable to fully trust this person. I would appreciate your insight and advice. With respect and gratitude. 09:02 Q2 - Dear Ajahn. How can one deal with the dispassion and Dukkha that arises deeply when looking at the suffering of the animals and other beings around me. Even helping them as much as possible is not enough to calm the mind down. 17:47 Q3 - Dear Ajahn. I am a Reiki master. I heard briefly somewhere that you were not a fan of Reiki. Would you please explain why? Thanks 20:59 Q4 - Dear Ajahn, I sometimes feel that celibacy is drying up my heart in the sense that there isn’t so much affective connection with beings. On some occasions, when I get to see people in a loving relationship I sometimes feel I’m missing out on that part of life. Although I do experience some of the benefits of maintaining celibacy such as being more contented, having a mind that is more focused on the practice, having more clarity, inner serenity and things like this. Can you please shed some light so as to help me overcome this matter? Thank you 32:49 Q5 - Dear Ajahn, as a layman is there anything we can do to protect ourselves, (such as chanting a mantra perhaps?) against imminent dangers from people with evil intentions like money lenders coming to demand payments? 35:07 Q6 - May I know the difference between the offering of Forest Cloth and Kathina Cloth? 37:30 Q7 - Dear Ajahn. Is it useful to seek forgiveness every time when we make any physically offerings to the Sangha? Eg: Medicine, Food or Shelter? Is seeking forgiveness like a reminder for us to be guided by Hiri and Ottapa? (Conscience).