Ep138: Trained as a Nun - Beth Upton
In this interview I am joined by Beth Upton, a meditation teacher, ex-nun, and student of renowned meditation master Pa Auk Sayadaw.
Available on Youtube, iTunes, SoundCloud & Spotify – search ‘Guru Viking Podcast’.
Beth reveals why reading economics at Cambridge caused her to fracture with today’s economic system and eventually led to her ordaination as a nun in Myanmar.
Beth details her rigorous training under renowned meditation master Pa Auk Sayadaw, addresses skepticism of the Visuddhimagga, and criticises so called ‘soft jhana’ teachings as watered down dharma.
Beth contrasts popular soft jhana teachings with how she was trained at Pa Auk, discusses the 10-fetter model of enlightenment, and explains how samadhi can be used to remember past lives and generate siddhi such as the ability to see devas and ghosts.
Topics include:
00:00 - Intro
00:51 - Upbringing and and reading economics at Cambridge
03:56 - The problem at the heart of money
05:44 - Money as a monastic vs a lay person
09:32 - Beth’s current thinking on money
16:14 - Encountering Buddhism
19:21 - Becoming a nun and meeting the meditation master Pa Auk Sayadaw
23:26 - Is the Visuddhimagga overblown?
25:03 - Soft Jhana teachings are watered down
28:43 - Hard jhana vs soft jhana distinctions
31:42 - Is there duality in jhana?
34:11 - Is jhana necessary for effective vipassana?
36:06 - Is progress possible without retreat?
38:57 - Beth’s 1-1 mentorship
40:14 - The curriculum of Beth’s training as a nun
44:10 - How to remember past lives
48:45 - Observing the causal links of karma
50:45 - How to develop siddhi via deep samadhi
53:44 - Opening the divine eye to perceive devas and ghosts
56:11 - Not claiming attainments
01:00:42 - Choosing the right meditation object
01:03:36 - Beth’s dislike of Dharma talks
01:05:57 - 1-1 mentorship with Beth
01:08:10 - Change technique after stream entry?
01:19:14 - Beth on the 10 Fetters and 4 Path Model