Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Ever wonder how monks train their minds?
In this video, I'm pulling back the curtain on the three foundational steps we use to train new monks here at the monastery. People travel from all over the world to Thailand to improve their habits and reduce suffering by eliminating anger, greed, and delusion. But before you can achieve that, you need a strong foundation.
The good news? You don't have to live in a monastery to practice these essential techniques.
In this video, we cover the 3 key steps to training your mind:
Guarding Your "Sense Doors": How to protect your mind from outside pollution by being aware of what you see, smell, taste, and touch.
Mindful Eating: Why the way you eat (and how much you eat) directly impacts your focus and ability to meditate. I’ll share why we reflect on our food and why monks stop eating after noon.
Practicing Wakefulness: How to train your awareness so you can stay present and mindful throughout your entire day—not just when you are sitting in meditation.
These aren't just monk rules; they are practical tools you can use every day to build a clearer, more peaceful mind. #monks #buddhism #mentalhealth
Timestamp
0:00 Intro
1:12 Guard sense doors
4:00 Moderate eating
10:22 Wakefulness
____________________________________
FREE Video-Led Meditation Retreats:
🔶 nickkeomahavong.com/retreats
____________________________________
FREE downloads below:
✅ FREE 21-Day Meditation Habit Builder:
https://forms.gle/E4r8ntQDPTd2rwJg6
✅ How to Become a Monk FREE Guide:
https://forms.gle/8b3GX9Hkds9PffJc9
✅ FREE Self-Care Checklist:
https://forms.gle/Rds3vAEQ6uNmmeWs6
____________________________________
✅ Venerable Nick’s Website:
nickkeomahavong.com
____________________________________
Ordination Opportunities:
🔶 Be a Monk Ordination Program: With minimalism and simplicity at its core, The Pa Pae Meditation Retreat gives Westerners the opportunity to ease into becoming a monk in a forest setting for those seeking short term and long term ordination.
beamonk.org
____________________________________
Meditation Retreat:
🔶 (Chiang Mai, Thailand) Join the Pa Pae Meditation Retreat if you would like to meditate in the beautiful nature of the Chiang Mai mountains. They offer daily meditation guidance and opportunities for long term stay as a volunteer.
papaemeditation.org/thailand
____________________________________
Get a copy of Venerable Nick's Books:
🔴 The Buddhist Cleanse: The 1-Day Spiritual Detox
amazon.com/Buddhist-Cleanse-1-Day-Spiritual-Detox-ebook/dp/B08V1Y6STX
🔴 The Building Blocks of Meditation: The Purpose of Meditation and How to Start a Daily Practice That Actually Sticks
amzn.to/3pWAGhe
🔴 The Building Blocks of Meditation Journal: Sharpening Your Skills of Observation
amzn.to/3t2qVA1
____________________________________
🔶 Stay updated with any new resources, products, or other announcements by signing up for Nick Keomahavong’s mailing list:
bit.ly/3aVWRx0
____________________________________
Thanks for watching.
Ever wonder how monks train their minds?
In this video, I'm pulling back the curtain on the three foundational steps we use to train new monks here at the monastery. People travel from all over the world to Thailand to improve their habits and reduce suffering by eliminating anger, greed, and delusion. But before you can achieve that, you need a strong foundation.
The good news? You don't have to live in a monastery to practice these essential techniques.
In this video, we cover the 3 key steps to training your mind:
Guarding Your "Sense Doors": How to protect your mind from outside pollution by being aware of what you see, smell, taste, and touch.
Mindful Eating: Why the way you eat (and how much you eat) directly impacts your focus and ability to meditate. I’ll share why we reflect on our food and why monks stop eating after noon.
Practicing Wakefulness: How to train your awareness so you can stay present and mindful throughout your entire day—not just when you are sitting in meditation.
These aren't just monk rules; they are practical tools you can use every day to build a clearer, more peaceful mind. #monks #buddhism #mentalhealth
Timestamp
0:00 Intro
1:12 Guard sense doors
4:00 Moderate eating
10:22 Wakefulness
____________________________________
FREE Video-Led Meditation Retreats:
🔶 nickkeomahavong.com/retreats
____________________________________
FREE downloads below:
✅ FREE 21-Day Meditation Habit Builder:
https://forms.gle/E4r8ntQDPTd2rwJg6
✅ How to Become a Monk FREE Guide:
https://forms.gle/8b3GX9Hkds9PffJc9
✅ FREE Self-Care Checklist:
https://forms.gle/Rds3vAEQ6uNmmeWs6
____________________________________
✅ Venerable Nick’s Website:
nickkeomahavong.com
____________________________________
Ordination Opportunities:
🔶 Be a Monk Ordination Program: With minimalism and simplicity at its core, The Pa Pae Meditation Retreat gives Westerners the opportunity to ease into becoming a monk in a forest setting for those seeking short term and long term ordination.
beamonk.org
____________________________________
Meditation Retreat:
🔶 (Chiang Mai, Thailand) Join the Pa Pae Meditation Retreat if you would like to meditate in the beautiful nature of the Chiang Mai mountains. They offer daily meditation guidance and opportunities for long term stay as a volunteer.
papaemeditation.org/thailand
____________________________________
Get a copy of Venerable Nick's Books:
🔴 The Buddhist Cleanse: The 1-Day Spiritual Detox
amazon.com/Buddhist-Cleanse-1-Day-Spiritual-Detox-ebook/dp/B08V1Y6STX
🔴 The Building Blocks of Meditation: The Purpose of Meditation and How to Start a Daily Practice That Actually Sticks
amzn.to/3pWAGhe
🔴 The Building Blocks of Meditation Journal: Sharpening Your Skills of Observation
amzn.to/3t2qVA1
____________________________________
🔶 Stay updated with any new resources, products, or other announcements by signing up for Nick Keomahavong’s mailing list:
bit.ly/3aVWRx0
____________________________________
Thanks for watching.
