[v74ClzKY]

This is a short video (7.42 mins) in which Noah Levine spoke about meditation and the integration of the practice into everyday life.

Comments relating to what he had to say in the video are welcome.

[Cvo1iRT0]

I just wanted to say thanks for a great vid. I relate to Noah Levine, I just wish I had his strength - I've addicted myself to so many things over the years I wonder if I'm ever going to break that conditioning, though these days I'm often able to watch some of those addictions go by without latching on to them, we're taught to grasp at so many things but I've never found one that brought me the peace I've found in meditation.

That said time to get my behind on the cushion - have a good one folks.

[Stacypettlerr]

Thank you Aloka-D

[GitaraMoya]

Thanks Aloka,

I have ever found the speeches of Noa Levine fantastic... very grounded making clear what are the very fundamental issues about practice...

It could be good to know what other members think about.

[bestcigsnick]

What I like about Levine is that he brings buddhism down to a "common" level. Buddhist Monks appear so lofty and "other wordly" that it seems difficult to relate to them as a lay practitioner.(although monk's teachings are essential and vital) Levine has also overcome many addictions that are very prevalent in western cultures which makes his message even more relevant to many youths.

Where many other men with similiar "criminalistic" pasts have become "born again" Christians, it is refreshing to see a turn around of a more honest, buddhist approach. He makes buddhism a more accepted alternative to the standard God fearing religion of Christianity and meditation as an alternative to drug abuse.

Thx 4 the vid!

[LeviBrawn]

Hi Bgood,

In response to your recent post, "What I like about Levine is that he brings buddhism down to a "common" level. Buddhist Monks appear so lofty and "other wordly" that it seems difficult to relate to them as a lay practitioner."

I obviously don't know which other Buddhist forums/sites you frequent. But I would like to point you in the direction of http://www.dhammaloka.org.au/. A few years ago I found on this site a very inspirational monk by the name of Ajahn Brahm. He not only presents his talks in a way that are easily understood by the layperson, he does so with a humour that helps to lighten the seriousness of the subject.

I do hope that you can give Ajahn Brahm the opportunity to convince you that not all monks are "lofty" and "other worldly". And I hope you find him as inspirational as I and many others do.

With Metta.

[jacknates]

I obviously don't know which other Buddhist forums/sites you frequent

Hello John, nice to see you posting.

Bgood might be refering to his offline experience of monks, rather than monks on the internet.

The subject of this discussion topic is Noah Levine's video about meditation (rather than Ajahn Brahm, who many of us are already familiar with)

Did you watch the video and do you have any comments about it ?

with kind regards

Aloka

[Yfclciak]

Hi Bgood,
I do hope that you can give Ajahn Brahm the opportunity to convince you that not all monks are "lofty" and "other worldly". And I hope you find him as inspirational as I and many others do.

With Metta.

Thx John! I'm familiar with Ajahn Brahm and I totally agree. Oh, I really love such teachers as Thich Naht Hahn and many other monks I've seen online and "offline" for sure. I think what I meant is just how in general Noah Levine is such a stark contrast to monastics, esp. with all the tatoos! LOL

If you witnessed him walking down the street not knowing who he is, one would never think he had anything in common with say the likes of Dalai Lama! I also believe Levine represents a new generation of American buddhism.

Brad Warner is another American buddhist to check out if unaware!

Here is a short 2 min clip with Warner's view on meditation:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature...&v=FHO5telIRKo

[homerdienru]

Brad Warner is another American buddhist to check out if unaware!

We have a recent thread in this Beyond Belief forum with the title "Big boys in the Buddhist world" which I started with a Brad Warner quote:

http://www.buddhismwithoutboundaries...Buddhist-world

There's also a video of him in our Mahayana forum "Why should I practice Zen ?"

http://www.buddhismwithoutboundaries...ht=brad+warner

I also believe Levine represents a new generation of American buddhism.

His father is the American Buddhist author Stephen Levine.

[plaiskegizils]

Hi Aloka-D, Bgood and all,
First I would like to ask you all to accept my apologies for being so presumptuous and for not strictly following the subject of the thread.
I did watch the video Aloka, and I can understand completely why Bgood finds Noah Levine so relevant to the western world, especially the youth. He comes across to me as one of the few people who can be accepted straight away by western Buddhism as I know it.
I do admit that up until now I have restricted myself to the teachings of Theravadin monks such as Ajahn Chah and Ajahn Brahhm etc. But now realize there is much more to be learned from a wider cross section of 'teachers'. I will definitely be looking at more of Levine and will also check out Brad Warner. Many thanks.

With Metta.

[UtidaBrar]

Thank you very much for your thoughtful comments, John.

I mostly lean towards the Buddha's teachings in the suttas and some of the teachers of the Theravada forest tradition myself, but I do enjoy checking out what other teachers have to offer from time to time!

with kind wishes

Aloka