When I'm sitting, I have a lot of trouble making it through all the touching points. One issue I'm thinking that I might be having is that maybe the progression of objects is incorrect: I do rising-falling-sitting-touching and then repeat for the entire hour that I sit. Maybe I am supposed to be doing: rising-falling-sitting and then rising-falling-touching and repeat those two progressions alternatively? Assuming the former is correct - is it ever permissible to, I'm weary about using the word but, ignore very subtle objects of awareness and continue noting through the progression? I just feel like I'm forcing it every time I make it to a touching point. I try to be as mindful as possible but it's hard to feel like I'm doing it correctly when I can't even make it to a touching point. feels like it's creating needless doubts. and maybe I'm just practicing incorrectly. Thanks in advance!

> **What are the various specific traditions in Theravada Buddhism?** > > If you could please **describe, compare, and contrast** each of them > that would be greatly appreciated. May you be well.

Below, I have questions regarding Buddhist monasticism. They are centered around topics of health. 1. May a monastic regulate their alms diet in order to focus on healthy foods and avoid unhealthy ones? 2. Would it be appropriate for a monastic to physically exercise to keep healthy? 3. Do monastics have access to healthcare for dental & physical checkups as well as brush their teeth, cut their nails, etc.? Thank you for your time and may you be well.

I have relapsed out of Buddhism two times in my past. Currently, I am between reconciling and rejecting it yet again. I decided to make this post to ask questions that I feel will help me either reconcile or reject Buddhism. I have categorized my questions into two areas: morality and biology. Before I write my questions below, please note the following information: I was/have been part of the Theravada Mahasi Sayadaw tradition under Yuttadhammo Bhikkhu's teachings and have studied both Buddhism and science in the past as a vigorously dedicated layman in both fields. Section 1: Morality 1. How is it possible that those who achieve Nibbana are morally infallible? 2. How is it that certain mind-states are objectively unskillful (evil) or skillful (good); wouldn't that be subjective to say? Section 2: Biology 1. How can there have been past Buddhas if civilization/*Homo sapiens* evolved recently (archeologically speaking)? 2. How do the planes of existence and rebirth make sense amid the heavily (as far as I understand) supported theory of evolution? Thank you for your time and may you be well.

q: > Can someone name the books in the shelf of Yuttadhammo in his videos > or all the books in the Tipitaka and sources to get them in English? > or at least what has been translated to english?

Questions: > Is it normal to shy away from your family when it is hard to interact > with them because they are so caught up in defilement and shaming my > practices? > > And is it proper to not respond to other people's questions or > comments such as "wasn't that so good" or "do you like/dislike that?" > or even "you believe in God, right, and you're a good Christian, > right?" I seem to get these questions and have a hard time putting > together an answer.

Bhikkhu Yuttadhammo mentioned that one shouldn't build up a meditative-self while being a meditator. How can I prevent this from happening, as I have been quite stiff and getting quieter and more serious lately. Or is that not have to do with a 'meditative-self' view? Please help!

I'm having immense troubles with maintaining mindfulness during the day. Is it really as simple as noting whatever is prominent? Do I just need to stick with it? Generally, I'm confused as to what exactly to note / not note. For example.... When I'm walking around at my job, I see people whom I have a desire for to like me. Others, I don't care so much, and sometimes there is some disdain for these people. In these times I feel like if I focus on and note the walking or movements of the body or tension in the body, I'm neglecting my attachment / aversion to the person I'm seeing, the unwholesome thoughts and feelings that have arisen, etc.- and vise versa! When I note the thoughts/feelings/tension etc, I feel like *maybe* I'm just making a stink out of stuff and causing more stress than is beneficial, but maybe I'm wrong. These times sometimes seem like an endless stream of physical tension / mental anguish / restlessness, and it causes a lot of dysfunction and anxiety in me, and sometimes I just give up and ditch mindfulness until my next formal session, or at least until I get away from these people. I'll admit that I've *seemed* to have had success with noting in these moments one time, the other day. Anxiety left me alone for a bit and I was able to joke around with some of these people who I tend to so desperately want to like me. I felt free of that desperate want for them to like me for a bit. That's certainly a step up from feeling paralyzed by anxiety, even if it is mostly just worldly pleasure. But I still have so much doubt and hopelessness built up that I really would love to hear some other's experiences in these situations, hopefully someone who also practices Mahasi Sayadaw's noting method. Again I'd like to ask, because maybe I just need a kick in the pants, do I just need to stick with it? I've watched a video on how Yuttadhammo dealt with anxiety and he basically said "stick with it even though your body might be freaking out and it might even be obvious to those around you, and maybe you'll be having a terrible time. Eventually you'll get a handle on it". I'm very much paraphrasing. :) Thanks in advance.