In this profound and wide-ranging reflection, Venerable Ajahn Punnadhammo explores the true nature of mind and the meaning of citta - not as a “thing,” but as the living process of knowing itself. Drawing from Abhidhamma analysis, the suttas, and the Thai Forest Tradition, he clarifies the distinction between citta, viññāṇa, and the mental factors (cetasika), while addressing the long-standing mind–body question from both Buddhist and modern philosophical perspectives. Through vivid analogies from computers and radio receivers to ancient cosmology and evolutionary theory. He invites us to move beyond materialist assumptions and directly recognize awareness as the fundamental ground of experience. A deeply contemplative talk on consciousness, perception, and the liberating potential of resting in pure knowing.
Should you wish to directly engage with Ajahn Punnadhammo, he hosts a YouTube Live Session every Thursday at 6:00 PM EST, where he explores various aspects of the Dhamma and answers questions from practitioners worldwide. Recordings of these sessions are available on his Official YouTube Channel.
If you wish to offer your support, please do so directly to the Arrow River Forest Hermitage, where Ajahn Punnadhammo resides: arrowriver.ca
This Dhamma talk was originally recorded on an earlier date and has been carefully remastered and published by The Dhamma Dāna Collective with the kind permission of Venerable Ajahn Punnadhammo. The Dhamma Dāna Collective is a volunteer initiative and operates without any commercial intent, dedicated solely to sharing the Dhamma freely.