Understanding Sajja and Conquering the Hungry Ghost
“In terms of addictions and compulsions,
there is a liberating difference between ‘abstinence’ and ‘abandonment’.”
~ Vince Cullen
Tag: Hungry Ghost
Sajja – A Practice for Transformation
In 2003 I took my first one-month temporary ordination at Wat Thamkrabok, a unique monastery in central Thailand. My intention on that occasion was to explore Buddhism and meditation, but what I got was not what I expected. I was given a ‘Sajja’ or a ‘truth’ to practice for 4-hours per day for the next 2-years.
My Sajja – “No one can do it for me, I must do it for myself”.
» Read moreSajja – A Practice for Everyone
Sajja is not just for those individuals trying to overcome manifest addictions, because when we look closely and honestly at ourselves, we might just see that we are all ‘in recovery’ from cravings, aversions and confusion.
» Read more2019 March – Being Human – New Life Foundation – Thailand
After the retreat… “I feel more informed and ‘lighter’. It was a very compassionate space”. “Clearly extremely knowledgeable, it was delivered with authenticity and human relatable.” “And interestingly poignant and personal life stories, to coincide with teachings, made it human – as was the name of retreat – Being Human.” After the retreat… “Feeling amazing! At peace, excited, energised and […]
» Read moreThe Pearl in Sorrow’s Hand
The Pearl in Sorrow’s Hand… “22-years ago when I was at my lowest point, overwhelmed with sadness and self-loathing, as I drank my last beer, I was oblivious to the gift that was being offered to me; the Pearl in Sorrow’s hand was the chance of sobriety, the chance to see things as they really are.” A poem by Rumi, […]
» Read moreHealing with Mindfulness
I am continuously inspired by some of the images that the Buddha offers us of ‘Sati’ or ‘Mindfulness’. My talk for Worldwide Insight (now known as Sangha.Live) on Sunday, December 2nd, was an exploration of some the many aspects of mindfulness – or in my case a lack of mindfulness – that continue to play themselves out in my life. […]
» Read more2018 October – Being Human at Kunphen Recovery Center – India
Embodied Intentionality
On Sunday, July 18th, 2018 I gave a podcast for the World Wide Insight: Healing & Insight channel (which is now Sangha.Live). This talk is about what I would have liked to have heard when I got sober. It is an exploration of the ‘truths’ (Sajja/Sacca) that might lead to conviction, to directed karma, to mindfulness as ‘remembering-to-remember’, and to […]
» Read more2018 June – Being Human at Margaret Austin Center – Texas, USA
“It’s so important in recovery to know that you are not locked into an addict self, unchanging forever. Focusing on the five precepts shows how to begin the transformation and the journey. I found the retreat inspiring.” “Vince is a lovely man.” “I feel very committed to my recovery, and I feel positive, happy, and peace.” “I feel that I […]
» Read more2018 April – Being Human at New Life Foundation – Thailand
It was intensive but maybe it had to be that like that! I liked the retreat because… even though it was challenging and triggering, I still got a lot of knowledge out of it and know that this path will still be there when I decide to take it! Thank you!! AirCon would have been useful, other than that, I […]
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