Energy | Rosemary & Steve Knowledgebase

Special Retreat Thailand July 2001

7

4

There are the Seven Factors of Enlightenment, the Ten Paramis, and the Noble Eightfold Path with a bit of overlap, similarities and differences. Can you please give advice on what to develop first or how to deal with these separate qualities?

Ref: 2001.07.x.07.04

Written answer

Special Retreat Thailand July 2001

Steve

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

Special Retreat Thailand July 2001

Steve

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

Special Retreat Thailand July 2001

Steve

3

7

Can you please explain more about the third Parami Renunciation?

Ref: 2001.07.x.03.07

Written answer

Special Retreat Thailand July 2001

Steve

5

1

Can you explain more about developing of the Parami of Energy?

Ref: 2001.07.x.05.01

Written answer

Energy

Special Retreat Thailand July 2001

Steve

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

Special Retreat Thailand July 2001

Steve

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

Special Retreat Thailand July 2001

Rosemary

9

4

There's a term for the gap that exists between our deepest beliefs and our daily behavior, it's called self-hatred. Could you please talk about self-hatred and how to bend the energy towards self-respect?

Ref: 2001.07.x.09.04

Written answer

Singapore QA December 2003

Rosemary

1

13

In meditation, is there the same possibility of using too much energy? And is a dream journey and a meditation experience the same, or is meditation more passive?

Ref: 2003.12.x.01.13

Written answer

Special Retreat Germany September 2005

Rosemary

6

2

One of the Paramis is Energy. Could you talk about this?

Ref: 2005.09.x.06.02

Written answer

Special Retreat Germany September 2005

Steve

3

4

How do I find the balance between putting energy and effort into the practice and putting too much pressure and expectations on myself?

Ref: 2005.09.x.03.04

Written answer

Special Retreat Thailand July 2003

Rosemary

6

3

I understand all the Paramis quite clearly except the Parami Energy.

Ref: 2003.07.x.06.03

Written answer

Special Retreat Thailand July 2003

Steve

8

7

I often have difficulty reflecting on the Energy Parami. How do we distinguish sloth and torpor from actually being tired and then maybe pushing myself too far?

Ref: 2003.07.x.08.07

Written answer

Special Retreat Germany September 2014

Rosemary

17

2

Standing meditation is sometimes suffering. What is its value compared to sitting and walking meditation?

Ref: 2014.09.x.17.02

Audio answer

Special Retreat Australia April 2004

Steve

4

I can't help recalling my first retreat - the monk's hut and path that I used to sweep (this is at Wat Kow Tahm for those of you who haven't been there yet), the term "once-returner" and "go forth with heedfulness", these sorts of things, they all give me a lot of energy. They are a refuge for me also. And on this retreat, once again, they are from time to time inspiration. The energy that I got on the first retreat I can always savor. What other energy should I concentrate and build on? Should I put effort in simple and subtle things that give one energy?

Ref: 2004.04.x.04.04

Written answer

Special Retreat Thailand January 2007

Steve

5

3

Can you please talk about Determination? Where can we practice it in our daily life? How is it linked? Does it support the other Paramis? Are there any suitable meditation techniques?

Ref: 2007.01.x.05.03

Written answer

Special Retreat Germany September 2010

Steve

5

3

How do you know that you put in enough energy? One can always do more or less, when do you have a good feeling about your work?

Ref: 2010.09.x.05.03

Audio answer

Written answer

Special Retreat Germany September 2010

Steve

4

7

I feel as though I don't have much Energy left in my every day life lately. How can I strengthen it?

Ref: 2010.09.x.04.07

Audio answer

Written answer

Special Retreat Germany September 2010

Steve

4

11

Would you, please, discuss competition in more detail. The drive for us for competition, if and when it's appropriate, and how to understand and manage the desire to compete when it arises.

Ref: 2010.09.x.04.11

Audio answer

Written answer

Special Retreat Germany July 2021

Steve

11

4

In Alavaka's questions it is said that one transcends unhappiness by strenuous effort. So, can laziness be a source of unhappiness?

Ref: 2021.07.x.11.04

Audio answer

Special Retreat Germany July 2015

Rosemary

17

6

Could you please talk about the Five Spiritual Powers, why are they called such, and how do they work together? Confidence or faith, mindfulness, energy, concentration and wisdom.

Ref: 2015.07.x.17.06

Audio answer

Special Retreat Germany July 2015

Steve

14

12

Which parts of the Dhamma do you relate to most? There are differences between people, why?

Ref: 2015.07.x.14.12

Audio answer

Special Retreat Germany July 2015

Rosemary

13

2

Why do we get energy while we focus on the body?

Ref: 2015.07.x.13.02

Audio answer

Special Retreat Germany July 2015

Steve

18

5

Could you say something about sport in Buddhism, what kind, intensity, how often? A meditator friend of mine is doing intensive power training, weight lifting, etc., because he says a strong fit body is important to use your potential have more energy to develop yourself. But isn't it difficult not getting attached to your body when you do intensive sports?

Ref: 2015.07.x.18.05

Audio answer

Special Retreat Germany July 2015

Rosemary

17

13

Can you talk about determination as the "try again" of the mindfulness, also, is the "try again" of the mindfulness also determination?

Ref: 2015.07.x.17.13

Audio answer

Special Retreat Thailand January 2006

Steve

8

2

What is the relationship between energy and resolution? Does the increase in one necessarily mean an increase in the other?

Ref: 2006.01.x.08.02

Written answer

Special Retreat Thailand January 2006

Rosemary

7

6

Could you please go through Energy, Wisdom and Resolution.

Ref: 2006.01.x.07.06

Written answer

Special Retreat Thailand January 2006

Rosemary

6

1

Could you say a little about Renunciation and developing it? Same for Energy.

Ref: 2006.01.x.06.01

Written answer

Special Retreat Thailand January 2006

Steve

5

3

How can we develop our energy for the practice, and how can we maintain that energy?

Ref: 2006.01.x.05.03

Written answer

Special Retreat Thailand January 2008

Rosemary

6

7

Can you give me more hints on the achievement mind, please?

Ref: 2008.01.x.06.07

Written answer

Special Retreat Thailand January 2008

Rosemary

7

2

Could you talk about the Seven Factors of Enlightenment, please? Do they need to be all the same strength and all be present at the same time for enlightenment? How can we strengthen these factors within ourselves?

Ref: 2008.01.x.07.02

Written answer

Special Retreat Thailand January 2008

Steve

5

3

In the West, when I see old or disabled people, I try to remember the Buddha's heavenly messengers and think this could be right around the corner for me in order to get more Samvega. Could you please talk about the heavenly messengers including possible other examples besides disabled or old people?

Ref: 2008.01.x.05.03

Written answer

Special Retreat Thailand January 2008

Steve

8

9

Could you talk about the Five Spiritual Powers please?

Ref: 2008.01.x.08.09

Written answer

Special Retreat Thailand January 2008

Steve

5

1

Could you talk a bit about one of the Paramis: Energy? How does one develop Energy?

Ref: 2008.01.x.05.01

Written answer

Special Retreat Germany September 2011

Steve

3

7

After a retreat I wake up at five o’clock for weeks, even if I go to sleep late, and I still am full of energy. Gradually this changes back to my old patterns. Do you have an explanation?

Ref: 2011.09.x.03.07

Audio answer

Special Retreat Thailand January 2010

Steve

18

8

If rebirth is true, I would like to be reborn with more energy. How can I do that?

Ref: 2010.01.x.18.08

Audio answer

Written answer

Special Retreat Thailand January 2010

Steve

18

9

What are the benefits of self-discipline? How to develop self-discipline?

Ref: 2010.01.x.18.09

Audio answer

Written answer

Special Retreat Thailand January 2003

Steve

3

7

Could you please talk about the following Paramis, and give examples of how to develop them more strongly in daily life situations and formal practice? Renunciation, Energy, Resolution/Determination, Truthfulness.

Ref: 2003.01.x.03.07

Written answer

Special Retreat Thailand July 2011

Steve

5

10

Could you please talk about the interdependent nature of life and how we can apply this teaching in our formal practice?

Ref: 2011.07.x.05.10

Audio answer

Special Retreat Thailand July 2011

Rosemary

7

1

Could you please talk more about this significance of special mindfulness activities and walking meditation?

Ref: 2011.07.x.07.01

Audio answer

Special Retreat Thailand July 2011

Rosemary

6

2

How can we grow more in energy, resolution and truthfulness?

Ref: 2011.07.x.06.02

Audio answer

Special Retreat Thailand July 2010

Steve

4

1

Can you go over the Five Hindrances again, and give guidance on how to meditate, or not, on them.

Ref: 2010.07.x.04.01

Written answer

Special Retreat Thailand July 2010

Steve

5

12

We meditate so much on Dukkha and on all the pain that I am losing my equanimity and falling into despair, and confidence inspiring thoughts become too difficult to bring to mind. Can you please speak about positive uplifting qualities, and good things that we can get energy and inspiration from?

Ref: 2010.07.x.05.12

Written answer

Special Retreat Thailand July 2010

Rosemary

7

4

We're asked to meditate on the Ten Paramis. These are all rather complex, so it's hard to know where to start or end. For example, Renunciation, renunciation of what? What type of Morality, etc.? Can you go into more depth on each of the Paramis?

Ref: 2010.07.x.07.04

Written answer

Special Retreat Australia April 2003

Rosemary

6

Yesterday when I did the Paramis meditation, I wasn't sure how I could say I've grown in Energy, because as I age, I don't have as much energy as when I was young. Do you mean some other energy? Can you please explain?

Ref: 2003.04.x.06.06

Written answer

Special Retreat Germany July 2019

Rosemary

15

8

Please talk about Determination, what are its benefits? Why is it one of the last Paramis? What factors increase it?

Ref: 2019.07.x.15.08

Audio answer

Special Retreat Germany July 2019

Rosemary

17

4

Could you please explain the Five Spiritual Powers and how they work together.

Ref: 2019.07.x.17.04

Audio answer

Special Retreat Germany September 2006

Rosemary

7

11

Could you please talk about Energy.

Ref: 2006.09.x.07.11

Written answer

Special Retreat Germany September 2006

Rosemary

6

In relation to Generosity, when you know you can do something good for someone but it is not good for yourself, because your energy goes down, how can you react? When should you say no or stop?

Ref: 2006.09.x.06.06

Written answer

Special Retreat Germany September 2006

Rosemary

7

1

You spoke about meditating on the Ten Paramis in pairs, and reflecting on how they make each other stronger. Could you please give some examples?

Ref: 2006.09.x.07.01

Written answer

Special Retreat Germany September 2006

Rosemary

6

8

Could you please speak about Right Speech in relation to developing the Ten Paramis?

Ref: 2006.09.x.06.08

Written answer

Special Retreat Thailand July 2005

Rosemary

2

1

Why do some meditators sweat a lot during the standing meditation? Standing still seems to produce more sweat compared to walking back and forth. Is more energy required to stand still compared to walking back and forth?

Ref: 2005.07.x.02.01

Written answer

Special Retreat Germany September 2009

Steve

4

2

Can you name the Paramis and explain what they mean.

Ref: 2009.09.x.04.02

Written answer

Special Retreat Germany September 2013

Steve

8

7

Do you know why just the two of the Paramis, Energy and Equanimity are part of the Seven Factors of Enlightenment?

Ref: 2013.09.x.08.07

Audio answer

Special Retreat Germany September 2013

Steve

3

12

Could you please talk about how one can get more energy?

Ref: 2013.09.x.03.12

Audio answer

Special Retreat Germany September 2004

Steve

8

11

Can you explain determination?

Ref: 2004.09.x.08.11

Written answer

Special Retreat Germany September 2004

Steve

8

5

Reflecting on "How Fortunate I Am" very often turns into a "May I be able to enjoy all my fortunes." Often I find it difficult to take joy from them when I compare myself to most people in the world. The feeling of injustice arises accompanied by the desire to give up my practice. The thought arises, isn't it unkind - towards all the sufferings in the world, spending one's life seeking such a lofty state as happiness, liberation?

Ref: 2004.09.x.08.05

Written answer

Bangkok QA May 2008

Steve

21

2

This is not so much a question as a comment. You were talking about energy, this is one of the things I've found about energy; I've found that it's so easy for energy to be sapped away. We tend to feel that energy is something that you get by having more desire, or by being more active. Yet, it seems very much the other way around; actually, you get more energy the more you stand still. Do you have a comment on energy?

Ref: 2008.05.x.21.02

Written answer

Special Retreat Germany July 2018

Rosemary

16

5

May you please speak more about the Energy Parami? I would not consider myself particularly energetic in the formal meditation, especially when I am falling asleep after time.

Ref: 2018.07.x.16.05

Audio answer

Special Retreat Germany July 2018

Rosemary

15

7

Could you please talk about the Seven Factors of Enlightenment? How to develop them?

Ref: 2018.07.x.15.07

Audio answer

Special Retreat Australia April 2005

Rosemary

7

1

I can't seem to snap out of sleep. When my meditation gets dozy, it's like I've slid into a deep pit and my attempts to climb out are feeble and weak. Any ideas?

Ref: 2005.04.x.07.01

Written answer

Special Retreat Australia April 2005

Rosemary

6

4

In the guided meditation concerning the Ten Paramis I have trouble with the reflection on Energy. The others are more obvious, but having always been an energetic person both pre- and post-Dhamma I'm not sure of what exactly to take note of, or if there is any particular Dhamma Energy that I should recognize.

Ref: 2005.04.x.06.04

Written answer

Special Retreat Australia April 2005

Steve

3

I'm a little confused about the Parami of Energy. I used to think it was the same as Determination but now I noticed that resolution is also called Determination.

Ref: 2005.04.x.03.03

Written answer

Special Retreat Thailand July 2007

Steve

3

Can you share your experience of balancing Generosity with Wisdom and Compassion? For example, avoiding enabling unbeneficial behavior through our generosity?

Ref: 2007.07.x.03.03

Written answer

Special Retreat Germany September 2007

Rosemary

6

8

Could you please explain, give examples for the growth of Morality and Energy and in every day life?

Ref: 2007.09.x.06.08

Written answer

Special Retreat Thailand July 2009

Steve

8

2

Regarding idealism and development. Please talk more about the problems with setting rules for ourselves and other ways unbalanced expectations hinders development.

Ref: 2009.07.x.08.02

Written answer

Special Retreat Thailand July 2009

Steve

3

6

How can one deal best with laziness and indulging?

Ref: 2009.07.x.03.06

Written answer

Special Retreat Thailand July 2009

Rosemary

7

2

Can you please discuss what the perfection of Energy entails?

Ref: 2009.07.x.07.02

Written answer

Special Retreat Thailand 1999-2000

Rosemary

3

5

Please can you explain the value of the Five and Eight Precepts?

Ref: 2000.01.x.03.05

Written answer

Special Retreat Thailand 1999-2000

Rosemary

8

6

When I decide to meditate every day, one hour in the morning and one hour in the evening, how much time should I use the Reflection, awareness of the breathing or body, standing, walking meditation. For example, 70% Reflection, 30% awareness of the breathing?

Ref: 2000.01.x.08.06

Written answer

Special Retreat Thailand 1999-2000

Rosemary

6

2

Please can you remind me of the pattern of Sympathetic Joy meditation or give another one?

Ref: 2000.01.x.06.02

Written answer

Special Retreat Thailand 1999-2000

Rosemary

6

Could you please explain the difference between fear and worry and how we can differentiate them when we investigate the hindrances?

Ref: 2000.01.x.06.06

Written answer

Special Retreat Thailand 1999-2000

Rosemary

6

3

How do we make Compassion and Lovingkindness meditation for very difficult people who cause a lot of harm in this world. How to separate them from their actions?

Ref: 2000.01.x.06.03

Written answer

Special Retreat Thailand 1999-2000

Steve

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

Special Retreat Thailand 1999-2000

Rosemary

3

10

What advantage has the standing compared to the sitting meditation? Can you recommend to do standing meditation in certain situations in life?

Ref: 2000.01.x.03.10

Written answer

Special Retreat Thailand 1999-2000

Rosemary

5

3

How do we work with the achieving mind, to balance it and to put it to good use?

Ref: 2000.01.x.05.03

Written answer

Special Retreat Thailand 1999-2000

Rosemary

5

13

What can you do if you see a certain warping of compassion towards somebody occurring? That is, a feeling of superiority/inferiority arises, the benevolent offerer of compassion, very unskillfully done, feeling perked up and above somehow the receiver. Obviously not a true compassionate heart, but if it should be tainted even to a slight degree with this feeling, what can be done?

Ref: 2000.01.x.05.13

Written answer

Special Retreat Thailand 1999-2000

Rosemary

8

7

How can I find out that my practice is in balance?

Ref: 2000.01.x.08.07

Written answer

Special Retreat Thailand 1999-2000

Rosemary

6

8

Reflecting on a very painful death, how can we have an open mind with so much pain in the body, how can we have to have a strong mind?

Ref: 2000.01.x.06.08

Written answer

Special Retreat Thailand January 2005

Steve

5

4

What is the best way to increase our energy and strength when we feel that Mara is getting too strong for us?

Ref: 2005.01.x.05.04

Written answer

Special Retreat Thailand January 2005

Steve

8

17

Please, how can I develop the Energy Parami?

Ref: 2005.01.x.08.17

Written answer

Special Retreat Thailand January 2002

Rosemary

6

9

I once heard a teacher say that the Energy Parami and Effort are the same. Would you agree? Also can you suggest ways to work with the Energy Parami to make it grow?

Ref: 2002.01.x.06.09

Written answer

Special Retreat Thailand January 2002

Steve

3

4

Why did I develop more energy when I stay or sit straight?

Ref: 2002.01.x.03.04

Written answer

Special Retreat Thailand January 2002

Rosemary

6

3

What does it mean to have the Energy Parami perfected? Endless physical energy, endless mental energy?

Ref: 2002.01.x.06.03

Written answer

Energy

Special Retreat Thailand January 2004

Rosemary

7

4

How to reflect on the Seven Factors of Enlightenment?

Ref: 2004.01.x.07.04

Written answer

Special Retreat Thailand January 2004

Rosemary

2

6

What else can I do, apart from the methods you have taught us so far during the retreat, in order to react towards growing tiredness and fatigue?

Ref: 2004.01.x.02.06

Written answer

Special Retreat Thailand January 2004

Rosemary

2

3

What techniques are there for integrating great bursts of energy, sometimes alarming ones? Also, small ones that fall off and get lost in the shuffle.

Ref: 2004.01.x.02.03

Written answer

Special Retreat Thailand January 2004

Steve

5

2

In some situations I feel strong determination, but in some there is just the energy at the beginning but slowly the energy dissipates. So how can I know where to put more effort and energy, and where not? Is it sometimes with all the Ten Paramis?

Ref: 2004.01.x.05.02

Written answer