Boundaries and Boundless Compassion

In this podcast episode, Ajahn Amaro delivers a Dhamma talk centered on the interplay between boundaries and boundless compassion, drawing from personal experiences and Buddhist teachings. He reflects on his childhood resentment of boundaries and his strong compassionate nature, illustrating how these forces shaped his spiritual journey. Ajahn Amaro recounts his entry into monastic life, his initial struggles with monastic rules, and his eventual understanding of the importance of boundaries in spiritual practice. He shares anecdotes, including a health crisis, to highlight the need for wisdom and mindfulness in compassionate action, advocating for a balanced approach that combines boundless compassion in attitude with skillful boundaries in behavior. The talk concludes with a discussion of the Siddhaka Sutta and a Q&A session, addressing topics such as white lies, people-pleasing, and the skillful use of boundaries in relationships and global contexts.