The Five Reflections with Thanissaro Bhikkhu
Cost:
Dāna Program
This dana program is freely offered in the spirit of generosity. Any donation you can offer to the teacher and to the Sati Center to continue making these teachings available is greatly Rappreciated.
Rescheduled from October 10, 2026
In-Person at the Insight Meditation Center and Online via Zoom
Co-sponsored with students of Ajaan Geoff in the Bay Area
The Buddha taught five reflections that people should engage in every day to foster heedfulness and the skillful qualities that are rooted in heedfulness: reflections on aging, illness, death, separation, and kamma. These reflections are not just for old or sick people. They’re recommended for people who want to use their youth and health wisely as well. They’re the reflections that inspired the young prince who later became the Buddha to search for a happiness that didn’t grow old, didn’t get sick, and didn’t die.
This daylong–through talks, readings, discussions, and meditation–will explore the skills taught by the Buddha to face, with an undaunted spirit, the dangers highlighted by the first four reflections, and to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the fifth, to follow the path to the deathless happiness he found.
If attending in person, you are encouraged to bring a lunch so that you can eat at IMC. There will also be an opportunity to donate food for the meal offering to Ajahn Geoff.
About the Instructor:
Ajaan Thanissaro (Geoff) is an American monk of the Thai forest tradition. After graduating from Oberlin College in 1971 with a degree in European Intellectual History, he studied meditation under Ajaan Fuang Jotiko in Thailand and ordained in 1976. In 1991 he helped establish Metta Forest Monastery in San Diego, CA where he is the abbot. He is a prolific writer and translator. Many of his works can be found online at www.dhammatalks.org.