[citicroego]

Thanks for sharing your " opinion " Element - your ability to express your valuable insight has given much to think on as did Ajahn Brahm's talk and this is always a good thing . I agree that what seems to be at odds may be due to a de- emphasis or emphasis on a different aspect. It was from my reading here, srivijaya posting about jhanas, that I first looked at what the Buddha is recorded as saying throughout the Pali canon suttas and from what I understand and from my own experience thus far there is no doubt that in order to be able to reach the deep meditative states which allow for development of understanding we need the right conditions.