Teachings from Steve Weissman

This page includes all of Steve's teachings in the database. They are sorted by their source, for example, which Special Retreat the question originated in. Within each retreat the entries are ordered according to day (Day 1, Day 2, etc.), and the order in which the entries were made (the index number).

Each entry has a unique reference, which can be used to find entries quickly.
To learn more about this, go to the "About the Reference Codes" page.

At present there are 1790 entries in this list.

Special Retreat Thailand 1999-2000

Day
Index
Question
4
1
Who is the person on the board outside and what is his story?
Ref: 2000.01.x.04.01
Written answer
4
2
It seems easy to wish Compassion and Lovingkindness for myself, yet the emphasis and wordings of this morning's meditation leaves me with some doubt that maybe it shouldn't be so easy to wish this for myself.
Ref: 2000.01.x.04.02
Written answer
4
3
I have heard that in this practice we should be continually be coming back to the moment, with an open, curious, questioning mind, and not to hold our beliefs too rigidly, as they may narrow our vision. We are also taught that doubting is not beneficial. I find that the line between doubting and questioning very fine at times. Do you have any suggestions or insights regarding this.
Ref: 2000.01.x.04.03
Written answer
4
4
In the moment of Death, ill from Alzheimer's disease, the mind is a wreck. What does the development of mind qualities help?
Ref: 2000.01.x.04.04
Written answer
- Death
- Thai story
4
5
Could you please tell us about clear comprehension and wisdom, about cause and effect in daily life?
Ref: 2000.01.x.04.05
Written answer
4
6
What is meant by the word "right" as it is used in the Noble Eightfold Path, in regard to "Right Understanding, Right Thought" etc.?
Ref: 2000.01.x.04.06
Written answer
4
7
Can you talk about Right Concentration, and it's role in the practice? How it supports the other seven parts of the Noble Eightfold Path?
Ref: 2000.01.x.04.07
Written answer
4
8
I find it difficult to meditate on Equanimity. Could you please give some examples?
Ref: 2000.01.x.04.08
Written answer
4
9
Did the Buddha or Buddhism say something about homosexuality?
Ref: 2000.01.x.04.09
Written answer
- Buddha
4
10
Is the amount of Dukkha in the world or the universe constant, and does Buddhism see a chance to decrease it if more people would meditate harder?
Ref: 2000.01.x.04.10
Written answer
4
11
Are we humans trying to have a spiritual understanding, or are we spirits trying to have a human understanding?
Ref: 2000.01.x.04.11
Written answer
- Human life
- No comment
4
12
When you reflect on the Five Reflections during one whole period, do you go through each one of them, and once this is done, pick one to meditate on, or can you go on to body awareness if no more ideas arise to reflect on?
Ref: 2000.01.x.04.12
Written answer
4
13
What do you recommend to do for physical health? If not exercises, as is Prana Yoga, Tai Chi, Qui Gong, maybe some sort of sport?
Ref: 2000.01.x.04.13
Written answer
- Sport
4
14
Do Metta (Lovingkindness/Compassion) meditations work like a one-hundredth monkey effect? When we actually visualize someone we know in a meditation, can they be somehow lifted up kammicly by wishing them ease of suffering, are we praying?
Ref: 2000.01.x.04.14
Written answer
4
15
How soon after the Buddha's life were the Scriptures written and how accurate are they thought to record his teachings?
Ref: 2000.01.x.04.15
Written answer
- Buddha
7
1
How do the two ideas of not self and rebirth go together? If there is not a self, what is reborn?
Ref: 2000.01.x.07.01
Written answer
- Rebirth
7
2
Is rebirth thought to occur immediately at the moment of death?
Ref: 2000.01.x.07.02
Written answer
- Death
- Rebirth
7
3
Could you please remind us how to work with Unpleasant Physical Sensations?
Ref: 2000.01.x.07.03
Written answer
- Unpleasant physical sensation
7
4
Can you please give some explanation about the Paramis Truthfulness and Morality? What do they mean in Buddhism, what is important to consider about them?
Ref: 2000.01.x.07.04
Written answer
7
5
Why is it important to have a peaceful mind in our moment of death when you consider reincarnation is theory or belief, not a proven fact?
Ref: 2000.01.x.07.05
Written answer
7
6
What is the difference between greed, craving and desire?
Ref: 2000.01.x.07.06
Written answer
- Desire
7
7
Confidence inspiring objects. Rosemary mentioned reflecting on this when ill. Are they general things for example, Buddha, Dhamma, Sangha, or did she use something more personal?
Ref: 2000.01.x.07.07
Written answer
7
8
Usually as a child we can live in the present moment. But as we grow up we seem to lose this capability or capacity. Why?
Ref: 2000.01.x.07.08
Written answer
7
9
Do you have questions sometimes? Do you try to find answers in yourself or do you have somebody you can ask?
Ref: 2000.01.x.07.09
Written answer
- Questions
- Teachers
7
10
What to do when Compassion and Lovingkindness meditation creates too many emotions inside? Shall we let them manifest or try not to let them manifest?
Ref: 2000.01.x.07.10
Written answer
7
11
Are fate and Kamma the same thing? If we know that we did very wrong and unbeneficial things in the past, can we improve it now in the present?
Ref: 2000.01.x.07.11
Written answer
7
12
Is it important to confess unwise actions to others or is it enough to confess them inside ourselves?
Ref: 2000.01.x.07.12
Written answer
7
13
My capacity for having compassion seems to be limited by the level of equanimity I have developed. Please teach us techniques to strengthen equanimity.
Ref: 2000.01.x.07.13
Written answer
- Compassion
- Equanimity
7
14
Can you explain the difference between "not to doubt" and "to believe"?
Ref: 2000.01.x.07.14
Written answer
- Saddha
7
15
What is attachment made of? Fear of loss or desire?
Ref: 2000.01.x.07.15
Written answer
7
16
When doing the walking I seem to have a similar thought coming again and again. I'm trying to use Reflections to let go but they do not seem to work. What do I do?
Ref: 2000.01.x.07.16
Written answer
7
17
Rosemary talked about a story of a person who lost a child the other day. Can you tell us the story?
Ref: 2000.01.x.07.17
Written answer
7
18
What do I do if I can't seem to feel compassion for certain people?
Ref: 2000.01.x.07.18
Written answer

Special Retreat Thailand July 2001

Day
Index
Question
3
1
Can you talk more about how to work with the tendency to corner ourselves, the mind, and try to force it to change, holding up ideals of what we think it should be versus working with mind and its current and past conditioning.
Ref: 2001.07.x.03.01
Written answer
3
2
Sometimes I see people doing things that are just not proper or right. And I am in a position to say something to try to stop them, such as stopping a person killing a spider. I need to respond quickly to stop them, yet there is sometimes strong aversion which comes out in the response, so I'm reacting out of aversion, but if I don't, they kill the spider. I need to learn better how to react wisely and quickly, or perhaps when to let it go and get a grip on myself first.
Ref: 2001.07.x.03.02
Written answer
- Dhamma
- Kamma
3
3
Can you explain more about dealing with difficult mental states which persist after attempting objective observation, observing the body?
Ref: 2001.07.x.03.03
Written answer
3
4
What are some ways to deal with the desire for pleasure, which rather than fading away seems to change focus over time.
Ref: 2001.07.x.03.04
Written answer
3
5
Often I have strong fear and worry, which I think is connected to a deep sense of insecurity. On an ultimate level there is no security in anything, but on a relative level security does seem important. Can you comment on this balance?
Ref: 2001.07.x.03.05
Written answer
3
6
Could you please talk more about ways of asking ourselves Wise Questions, in order to lessen attachments and develop wisdom?
Ref: 2001.07.x.03.06
Written answer
3
7
Can you please explain more about the third Parami Renunciation?
Ref: 2001.07.x.03.07
Written answer
3
8
Will you please talk further about looking at the Dukkha caused by attachment, in order to lessen attachment to things like entertainment, people, the eight worldly dhammas.
Ref: 2001.07.x.03.08
Written answer
3
9
Can you talk about wise attachments more? Also how to balance attachments to teachers and people.
Ref: 2001.07.x.03.09
Written answer
3
10
Can you talk more about these important moments when Mara switches the mind to unbeneficial ways, like the judging mind, envy, sloth and torpor. How can one more skillfully and quickly root out these thoughts?
Ref: 2001.07.x.03.10
Written answer
4
1
Anicca (Pali word) is translated with the negative aspect of impermanence. Can you say something about the positive aspects of change, alteration, evolution, variation and transformation.
Ref: 2001.07.x.04.01
Written answer
- Impermanence
4
2
How can we be more accepting of our Kamma and not get stuck in difficult mind states such as anger and self-blame?
Ref: 2001.07.x.04.02
Written answer
- Kamma
4
3
Can you please explain the Parami of Morality?
Ref: 2001.07.x.04.03
Written answer
4
4
Could you please talk about mind spins. How they arise, how to identify them as a spin and then stop them?
Ref: 2001.07.x.04.04
Written answer
4
5
Can you talk more about letting go of self-hatred when working with a strong sense of regret, particularly to 1) recent events, 2) taking others' affections and conditions for granted or 3) reacting to and working with regret skillfully.
Ref: 2001.07.x.04.05
Written answer
4
6
Can you explain more about doubt? Because I never seem to have this hindrance.
Ref: 2001.07.x.04.06
Written answer
- Doubt
4
7
What does it mean to respect Mara?
Ref: 2001.07.x.04.07
Written answer
4
8
I saw an older man dying a very painful death. His children refused to see him, saying they don't want to have anything to do with him. I don't know what had happened between them, but I know he was imprisoned for a few years because of child abuse when he was young. Now Buddhism teaches to have respect and gratitude for your parents and to take care of them. How does this relate to cases like that?
Ref: 2001.07.x.04.08
Written answer
4
9
Could you please talk about envy, jealousy, and how to bend these mind states into beneficial ones.
Ref: 2001.07.x.04.09
Written answer
- Eight worldly dhammas
- Kamma
4
10
Are all things that happen to us Kamma, or is there a concept of randomness? For example, a friend of mine was badly hurt in a car accident. Someone said, I wonder what he did to deserve that. Could it just be an accident and lessons are learned on how he copes with it, or are all accidents Kamma?
Ref: 2001.07.x.04.10
Written answer
- Kamma
4
11
Could you talk more about fear? For example, a small fear that arises as a mosquito bite, versus a big fear like the fear of death? How can we work with these fears on a relative level?
Ref: 2001.07.x.04.11
Written answer
4
12
Could you give some tips for some different systems for the Reflection meditations? I seem to be going over the same thoughts again and again.
Ref: 2001.07.x.04.12
Written answer
5
1
Can you explain more about developing of the Parami of Energy?
Ref: 2001.07.x.05.01
Written answer
- Energy
5
2
How important is it to have a teacher? In the meaning, to have something like a personal teacher. Lots of practitioners say this person, so and so, is my teacher, with a specific name.
Ref: 2001.07.x.05.02
Written answer
5
3
The Paramis of Patience and Equanimity. Could you speak more about them? Especially the qualities or characteristics of Equanimity and ways of developing both.
Ref: 2001.07.x.05.03
Written answer
5
4
Statement (this is Ananda here): One of the aims of our practice is the development of more and more unbroken Mindfulness throughout the day. Question: Is it possible to extend Mindfulness to the times of sleeping and dreaming? If yes, do you have any advice on how to practice Mindfulness in that way?
Ref: 2001.07.x.05.04
Written answer
5
5
Should we be reflecting during the day, like when we're washing our laundry, et cetera?
Ref: 2001.07.x.05.05
Written answer
5
6
What should we do if we feel we are getting tired of Reflection meditation and getting restless and agitated?
Ref: 2001.07.x.05.06
Written answer
8
1
How can I be sure that I've let go of a hindrance, thought, or feeling, and do not suppress it?
Ref: 2001.07.x.08.01
Written answer
- Energy
8
2
We're taught to reflect on the various ways we are fortunate, and the precious opportunity we have with our life. Could you expand more on the second part of this Reflection, the precious opportunity we have with our life? I would like more clarity on this.
Ref: 2001.07.x.08.02
Written answer
8
3
Can you talk about the value of watching healing in one's practice?
Ref: 2001.07.x.08.03
Written answer
- Compassion
8
4
A Zen master once said, "In the beginner's mind, there are many possibilities. In the expert's mind, there are few." Question: How can we avoid, break open routines in every day life in meditation?
Ref: 2001.07.x.08.04
Written answer

Special Retreat Thailand January 2002

Special Retreat Thailand July 2007

Special Retreat Germany September 2007

Day
Index
Question
3
1
What kind of Kamma does exist? Which one leads us out of Samsara?
Ref: 2007.09.x.03.01
Written answer
- Kamma
- Ten Paramis
3
2
I'm a vegetarian because I don't want animals to be killed for me. But if I eat cheese also animals have to be killed because the animals only give milk if they are pregnant and because of wanting cheese there are too many female animals so they will be killed. So is it senseless to be a vegetarian?
Ref: 2007.09.x.03.02
Written answer
3
3
Could you please explain some more about the relationship between Compassion and Lovingkindness, and why it is important to balance them in our Compassion/Lovingkindness meditation?
Ref: 2007.09.x.03.03
Written answer
3
4
Why is it necessary to get up so early?
Ref: 2007.09.x.03.04
Written answer
- Morning
3
5
How to deal with fear of pain?
Ref: 2007.09.x.03.05
Written answer
3
6
How to deal with fear of making mistakes, fear of blame?
Ref: 2007.09.x.03.06
Written answer
3
7
Can you please talk about how to deal better with fear of death and which meditations help to overcome it?
Ref: 2007.09.x.03.07
Written answer
3
8
Is it possible to develop the mind while playing an instrument? I often indulge in emotions while playing it.
Ref: 2007.09.x.03.08
Written answer
- Music
3
9
What happens after an abortion to the unborn child and to the women in their next life? Is it a murder? How can they change it for better Kamma?
Ref: 2007.09.x.03.09
Written answer
3
10
Does death in one's life happen at a set time?
Ref: 2007.09.x.03.10
Written answer
4
1
In what ways can Buddhism help in raising children?
Ref: 2007.09.x.04.01
Written answer
4
2
When aversion against an action is very strong, and you can't avoid the person and the action the person is doing, what would you try to do?
Ref: 2007.09.x.04.02
Written answer
4
3
Why is it important to reflect daily about one's morality and generosity?
Ref: 2007.09.x.04.03
Written answer
- Generosity
- Morality
4
4
How to let go of attachment to the 8 worldly dhammas?
Ref: 2007.09.x.04.04
Written answer
4
5
Is there a difference between concentration and awareness?
Ref: 2007.09.x.04.05
Written answer
4
6
If everybody is the owner of their Kamma, is it my own fault when I am born in Bangladesh, for example, and have to suffer hunger and thirst?
Ref: 2007.09.x.04.06
Written answer
4
7
How can we find the balance between right thinking, speech and action, and wrong thinking, speech and action? How can we recognize if we have right or wrong thinking, speech and actions?
Ref: 2007.09.x.04.07
Written answer
4
8
I have read that there are 6 elements. Besides earth, water, wind and fire, there is the empty space and mind. I thought the mind is dependent on the others.
Ref: 2007.09.x.04.08
Written answer
- Elements
- Four Great Elements
4
9
How detailed should we make our mental noting?
Ref: 2007.09.x.04.09
Written answer
4
10
Is there a point when we don't need mental noting? any more?
Ref: 2007.09.x.04.10
Written answer
4
11
What is "wif"?
Ref: 2007.09.x.04.11
Written answer
4
12
How can I better deal with self-doubt. Which methods can I use?
Ref: 2007.09.x.04.12
Written answer
4
13
You once told us don't limit your view of Compassion. Can you please give us a broader idea of what Compassion can mean in our practice?
Ref: 2007.09.x.04.13
Written answer
- Compassion
5
1
Can you give some more examples for the reflection on the relationship between Compassion and Equanimity?
Ref: 2007.09.x.05.01
Written answer
5
2
What is the best order to choose for doing Compassion/Lovingkindness meditation? Myself first, people I like, dislike first, etc.?
Ref: 2007.09.x.05.02
Written answer
- Compassion/Lovingkindness meditation
- Systems
5
3
Why don't we practice awareness in fast motion also?
Ref: 2007.09.x.05.03
Written answer
5
4
Can you please talk some more about talking refuge, meditating on the Buddha, the Dhamma and the Sangha. I often have difficulties reflecting on the Dhamma because I can't picture it as easily as I can picture a Buddha Statue or people I connect with the Sangha.
Ref: 2007.09.x.05.04
Written answer
5
5
Can you please talk some more about the relationship between mind and body, and why strong body awareness is so important.
Ref: 2007.09.x.05.05
Written answer
- Body awareness
- Mind and body
5
6
Things don't change overnight. Even if I have made a strong resolution to change, which methods help me to resist in situations when confronted with temptation, for example being offered chocolates, alcohol or other people making unbeneficial jokes about other people?
Ref: 2007.09.x.05.06
Written answer