Live from Birken: Dhamma Q&A with Ajahn Sona (06.14.2026)

Join us on Sunday as Ajahn Sona answers Dhamma questions from listeners around the world. Questions may be submitted during the live chat (opens ~8:00am day of stream) or in advance, here: https://bit.ly/LivestreamQnA Ajahn Sona Podcast: Apple - http://bit.ly/AppleAjSona Spotify - http://bit.ly/SpotifyAjSona Podbean - http://bit.ly/PodbeanAjSona Question & Answer Archive https://birken.ca/qaa/qaa.php INDEX OF QUESTIONS: 00:00 - INTRO 00:30 - FEAR: I have had some very terrifying experiences when 'my centre' opens up, as well as experiences of profound fear. I am wondering what advice you might have for dealing with these situations? I have used metta at times to help me cope with these. 08:44 - ORDINATION: Western monasteries are facing ordination limits and visa issues. What advice would you give your younger self on transitioning into monkhood internally while living a lay life? 11:16 - SAMVEGA: Can you please explain samvega? does it mean we should become angry about injustices? 14:32 - MINDFULNESS: Can you give us some practical tips for increasing the habit of mindfulness of impermanence outside of meditation? 17:49 - BREATH MEDITATION: My lung condition makes breath meditation feel somewhat strained/effortful. Could this impede my ability to cultivate samadhi? Might there be a better way for me, such as the brahmaviharas? 22:06 - FIRE KASINA: I'm going into an at-home 10 day fire kasina retreat. Any suggestions for kasina practice come to mind? 24:35 - RIGHT ASSOCIATION: The Buddha taught that not associating with the foolish is one of the greatest blessings. How does one extricate oneself from emotional entanglements and relationships with unskillful people whilst maintaining kindness? Particularly if these individuals may be close friends, or even parents. 27:14 - ORGANIZING A LAY GROUP: I want to organize a Metta group once per week in Sweden. How should one go about organizing lay people gatherings and how best to teach the Dhamma to a secular society? 32:15 - RATANA SUTTA: Can the Ratana Sutta be recited daily by laypeople? At the beginning of this Sutta, we ask heavenly beings for protection. Does this protection only apply to ​​protection from negative energies and evil beings from other realms, or can it also encompass various dangers related to earthly existence? 34:47 - THE DEATHLESS: I'm interested in the concept of the Deathless (amata). Are amata and amata-dhātu synonymous with Nibbāna in the Theravāda tradition, ​​or does amata-dhātu refer more specifically to the unconditioned element that is directly realized through practice? 41:56 - SOTAPANNA & MEDITATION: Are Sotapannas compelled to meditate or can they reach arahantship without it? 43:50 - FOUR IDDHIPADAS: Regarding the Iddhipāda - so far I understand these are Four Bases of Power for Success in the spiritual aspect AND for...any endeavor we may undertake such meeting financial obligations in order to go forth. Is this correct thinking? 46:16 - TRAUMA: I notice an increase in what I call “trauma industry” which exists as many people remain within their traumas. Please comment. 52:41 - MARANASATI: I just started learning about Maraṇasati meditation. Can you describe its importance and how it should be practiced?