Ayyā Medhānandī

Living Peace Guided Meditation, Ayya Medhanandi

The path between the beginning of our pains and their ending is the Buddha's Middle Way. Rare in this world, it is worthy of our trust – through a subtle shift in perspective. There is freedom from mental suffering – not by avoiding it but by understanding it. Know its impermanence and see its true nature – empty and not what we are! So we disarm the stress, fear, doubt, hatred, or any of their cousins and mindfully balance moment by moment. In the light of sacred awareness, gathering gentle joys and peace, we offer our silent heart to the Infinite Silence.  OBS, May 19, 2023

Out of the Wilderness, Ayya Medhanandi

We are blazing a trail out of the wilderness of ill-will, greed, and delusion in the world. It may feel as if we are walking a razor’s edge – at times bereft or lost – and we must all face death. But the Buddha teaches us to trust, to persevere, and live wisely. As a witness to life, we search deeply so that we can clearly see the true causes of our suffering. Thereby, we gain stability, patience, contentment and inner peace. In this joyful awareness and gratitude, the heart opens with greater loving-kindness and compassion towards all beings everywhere – for we are on the same path of awakening. Sati Saraniya Hermitage, Nov. 2, 2025

Sheltering in Kindness, Ayya Anuruddha

By nature, we are inclined to care for ourselves. Do we also wish to see others well and happy? Reflecting that we are all subject to the universal law of impermanence, so too, let us consider how caring for ourselves is a way of caring for and blessing one another. Harmlessness and non aggression balance the heart and nourish a deep island of inner refuge,  peace, and gentle stability. This is a blessing to the world. Just so, caring for ourselves, we care for each other – sheltering in love, kindness, compassion and wisdom. A talk at the Toronto Theravada Buddhist Community, Nov. 15, 2025

Setting Good Intentions – Then Life Happens, Ayya Nimmala

How powerful, disarming, and distracting is the sense world where the mind is easily caught in desire, hate and delusion. Clinging we suffer. But sufferings spur us on to discover a quality of peace that is unshakeable. When we learn to abide with the flow of experience, seeing that peace in stillness and pure awareness, we feel the true contentment and happiness of the Dhamma. This is blissful. The mind emptied of impurity – empty of ego – sees wisely and is filled with love and compassion. We know our true nature, and we see that we are all one. Ottawa Buddhist Society, Dec. 19, 2025

Enter the Timeless – Guided Meditation, Ayya Medhanandi

We are eager to know how to quiet the restless and anxious mind. But how will peace ever come in the face of life's struggles? Listen to that inner cry with present moment awareness. Softly, simply, be present, balance, and rest on the pinnacle of every breath. Practising like this, again and again, let the world fall away into a beautiful vast spacious awareness. We enter the timeless, tenderly knowing the joy and unsurpassable refuge of this universal silence – not out there, but right here within us. Meditation reflections at the Ottawa Buddhist Society, Oct. 17, 2025