The Better Way To Live Alone

In this short talk, we begin with a reading of "The Elder Sutra," about Thera, a monk who prefers to live alone. The other monks are concerned, and ask the Buddha about Thera. The Buddha's teaching to the solitary monk help us to understand that to "live alone" means something quite different than we might think.

Reviews

I struggle to see the difference in what the Buddha was teaching and what Thera was actually doing. Was he not being in the present but just choosing to do so by himself?
Very thought provoking. Thank you 🙏

Thank you, Buddhist Recovery encourager!
Interesting. I don’t think I understand why the Buddha called for Thera and gave him this dharma. Did he know that Thera was not already being in the moment alone? Was he counseling him to seek alms and meditate WITH OTHERS, rather than do these activities alone?
To me, there’s just a disconnect in the storyline.
Thanks for the telling, though. For myself, I find practicing alone the key access to understanding and releasing my attachments, seeing the oneness of all that is, and committing myself to a beneficial life. I love Insight Timer’s access to dharma and other guidance, and I enjoy the occasional sangha meeting, but I don’t feel my practice requires company. I enjoy friends and family, but have only occasionally connected with anyone who really wanted to share and discuss their experience and views of practice.
Thank you. I’ll listen to this again in a while and see if there’s something I missed.
Donna

I live alone and am alone a lot. Today I experienced being in the moment fully. I only noticed/realized it after listening to this talk. Thank you 🙏🏾

The words you use and the tone that you speak them in are so wonderful! I loved your meditation today. Thank you so much!

Yes, thank you for sharing these thoughts. It helps. 🙏