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The Stream-entry Buddhist Blog

Long-format Pāli Canon-based Teachings and Essays



by Upāsaka Michael Turner

(f.k.a. Anagārika Pasannacitta)


Buddhist Therapist, Life Coach, and Dharma Trainer

 — One-on-One Buddhist Training by Request — 



practical teachings. insightful answers. penetrating essays.
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DISMISSED: "YOU WON'T BECOME A STREAM-ENTERER" — A dismissal letter from a Buddhist stream-entry teacher to his student for wrong views, violent entertainment, and incorrect practice — and explaining the deeper meaning of Buddhist renunciation.

4/19/2025

2 Comments

 
⚲ this post has been pinned to the top of the blog
This is my final teaching letter to a student who is choosing to remain misinformed on what Buddhism is, the importance of contemplation, and how meditation should be practiced if stream-entry is ever to be genuinely experienced.
Attaining achieving stream-entry is hard. Here's how to do it. Become a stream-enterer.

Becoming a Stream-enterer is hard. Here's how to do it.


​As a teacher dedicated to guiding my students toward spiritual progress, I sent a detailed letter to a middle-intermediate Dhamma practitioner and meditator explaining why I am dismissing him from my program.  In this letter, I explain the importance of correct and sufficient practice and I outline and detail the harmful nature of the various Wrong Views he subscribes to that are hindering his spiritual progress, such as his attachments to violent entertainment and modern interpretations of the Dhamma, his desire for shortcuts to enlightenment, his reliance on "insight meditation" (vipassana), and his clinging to the myth that the jhānas equate to stream-entry or any other stage of Buddhist enlightenment.  I also took the opportunity to explain what Buddhist renunciation truly means for those who are dedicated to achieving stream-entry, a.k.a., awakening; and the critical importance of yonisomanasikāra in the development of Right View and progress along the Buddhist path.
​

Teacher's Note

​Why I am sharing this private letter publicly?
​

In short: because people want awakening, but they are going about it all wrong.

I am sharing this letter with others not only because it brings light to what Buddhism actually is — beyond the misrepresentations of Buddhism that are overwhelmingly prevalent today — but also because it serves as a clear manifesto of the approach that I follow in my instruction of the early Buddhist texts (EBT) to my students; with the emphasis being on learning and cultivating the views and practices that slope them toward stream-entry, or beyond.  My intention is to provide potential future students with a clear understanding of what they can expect from me and my guidance as someone who successfully coaches veritable stream-enterers.

While reading this, it is absolutely necessary to understand that what I teach, and how I teach it, reflects my understanding of where each of my students are along the Buddhist Path and what each one of them needs to hear and do in order to make further progress toward nibbāna.  I don't teach them how to get to stream-entry or arahantship as much as I teach them how to make continuous progress from where they are on the spectrum of spiritual development, gradually taking them to higher and higher attainments along the Buddhist Path.  In support of that, I don't teach "generally" to any of my students; I teach precisely to each of my students based entirely on their individual needs and abilities. Accordingly, I am holding the student that this letter is directed at to a set of standards that are uniquely appropriate to his level of experience, his current place along the Path, and his personal hindrances — these standards should not be taken to apply to all (or any) of my other students.

For additional information on my approach and my teachings, please see this page.
​
(the student's name has been changed for confidentiality) ​

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Meditation, Suffering, and The Dark Night of the Soul—Awakening Explained

4/18/2025

1 Comment

 
Dispelling misunderstandings about meditation, vipassana retreats, the jhānas, stream-entry, proper Buddhist path practice, insights into dukkha, and the Dhamma.
Meditation & Dark Night of the Soul Explained

Understand Meditation Dukkha Ñāṇa & The Dark Night of the Soul



This article is about stream-entry, also known as awakening. However, to effectively address this topic, I will first introduce a concept referred to as the "dark night of the soul," an idea that the meditation industry has adopted to describe the emotional or psychological distress practitioners experience after a period of intensive meditation or following a profound spiritual awakening attainment (stream-entry) and the potential pitfalls and dangers of attending extended vipassana meditation retreats.  We will explore the Buddha's approach to teaching enlightenment found in the suttas to understand the roles of meditation and the jhānas, along with their connection to stream-entry, the "dark night of the soul," and the "dukkha ñāṇa" phenomena.  If you are sincerely interested in attaining stream-entry, this article will be of value to you on your journey.​

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Mastering Buddhist Right Speech (2): A Guide to Idle Speech and Small Talk

8/18/2023

4 Comments

 
How the fundamentals of Buddhist Right Speech can help you skilfully engage others in small talk and avoid the pitfalls of idle speech.
What is idle speech in Buddhism and small talk for Buddhists

A Complete Guide to Idle Speech and Small Talk for Buddhists



​In this practical teaching, I review the lesser-discussed notion of "idle speech," one of the components of Buddhist Right Speech — the third factor of the Noble Eightfold Path.  I also detail and provide examples of how practising Buddhists can skilfully engage in everyday small talk with people in ways that promote harmony, mutual respect, and deeper connections.

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When Monks or Nuns Use Wrong Speech While Giving Dharma Talks [Quick Q&A]

9/10/2022

2 Comments

 
When monastics tell jokes, use props, make fun, employ sarcasm, or raise their voices while giving Dharma talks.
Buddhist Monks in Prayer

What does the Dhamma-Vinaya have to say about monastics who employ wrong speech when sharing or discussing the Dhamma? Is this ever OK?


​In this short "dharma bite," I answer this single question.

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2 Comments

Mastering Buddhist Right Speech #1: A Complete Guide to Advice & Feedback

1/12/2022

11 Comments

 
How the fundamentals of Buddhist Right Speech can help you give advice and feedback that gets heard without rejection.
How the fundamentals of Buddhist Right Speech can help you give skilful advice and feedback that gets heard.

How to use Right Speech to Give Constructive Feedback



​In this teaching, I share how Buddhists can use the teachings of Buddhist Right Speech and Mindfulness to offer unsolicited advice to others, skilfully and kindly, and in ways that promote harmony, mutual respect, and appreciation from and for the people whom we have around us.

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11 Comments

What Are the Eight Worldly Concerns and Why Must We Let Them Go?

10/29/2021

6 Comments

 
How being free of stress and anxiety means letting go of the things that you think will make you happy.
What are the Eight Worldly Concerns and how do they relate to your pursuit of happiness and your freedom from worry, stress, and anxiety.

Stress and anxiety are signs that you're doing something wrong.



​In this article, we will cover what the Eight Worldly Concerns are and how they relate to your pursuit of happiness and your freedom from worry, stress, and anxiety.

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6 Comments

Karma for Lay-people.  What is and What isn't Karma? And Why It Matters.

9/27/2021

10 Comments

 
Perhaps one of the most widely misunderstood concepts in all of buddhism and eastern philosophy: karma explained.
Perhaps one of the most widely misunderstood concepts in all of buddhism and eastern philosophy: karma explained.
What is Karma really? Is our life predetermined or do we have agency? And what does it have to do with who we are or what we experience?

'What is karma' explained by a Buddhist teacher


​In this short article, we will cover what Karma is and what it isn't; how it relates to destiny and free-will; and, its relationship to your happiness and your peace-of-mind.

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10 Comments

How to Nurture Your "Buddha Nature" to Develop a Strong Sense of Happiness.

3/8/2021

13 Comments

 
Each one of us has the seed to be unshakeably happy and peaceful; and you don't have to be a Buddhist to have it.
(Alt. Title: Recognising and connecting with your inner-goodness cultivates happiness)
Buddha Nature

Buddha Nature explained by a Buddhist teacher.



​In this article, we will cover what Buddha Nature is, how to recognise it, nurture it, cultivate it, and leverage it for happiness and Enlightenment.

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13 Comments

Practical Approach to Patience & Tolerance for Buddhists Practitioners

2/10/2021

0 Comments

 
Patience isn't a reward that is granted by praying for it, it's a skill that is cultivated by practicing it.
Patience
In this Q&A, we will learn about how Buddhists view and approach the teachings on kindness, tolerance, acceptance, and patience with others.

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Pity vs Compassion: How to Spot the Difference - Buddhism Explained

1/8/2021

7 Comments

 
Be a compassion expert by learning to stop pity at its root.
Compassion vs Pity

Compassion vs Pity Explained by a Buddhist Teacher



Compassion and pity are commonly misunderstood.  And this is equally relevant to both Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike.  While entire schools of Buddhism are anchored on the concept of compassion, and many compendia have been written on the topic, in this article we learn what they are, how they affect you, and how to adopt an easy way to spot the difference between them.

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7 Comments

Five Buddhist Techniques Anyone Can Use To Reduce Anger (Right Now)

10/31/2020

7 Comments

 
When anger and other strong emotions arise, use these five approaches to skilfully overcome your suffering.
5 Buddhist Steps To Overcome Anger (Right Now)

You don't have to be a Buddhist to use these techniques to overcome your anger and move forward gracefully, skilfully, and peacefully.


​​In this short "dharma bite," I provide five concise techniques that come from Buddhism that anyone (Buddhist or not) can use in-the-moment or after-the-fact to help reduce the heat of discontentment and cool the flames of anger.  This article includes a short guided meditation.

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7 Comments

Forgiveness: it's about our relationship with ourself.

4/6/2020

1 Comment

 
Forgive others, not because they deserve forgiveness, but because you deserve peace.
Forgiveness is really not about someone else’s harmful behavior; it’s about our relationship with our own past. When we begin to work on forgiveness, it's firstly a self-care practice for ourselves.

Forgiveness and patience are critical to being able to cultivate your ability to develop inner peace-of-mind and happiness.

1 Comment
    Stream-entry Buddhist Blog
    ​by Michael Turner
    (f.k.a. Anagārika 
    Pasannacitta)

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    The Teacher

    Anagārika Michael Turner Buddhist Stream-entry Teacher, Awakening Trainer, Stream-enterer Coach
    Michael Turner, teacher and former Buddhist anagārika.

    "The only thing that prevents people from awakening, stream-entry, and directly experiencing the stages of enlightenment is incorrect instruction and/or insufficient practice."

    –  Michael Turner

    Hello! My name is Michael Turner (my Dhamma name is Upāsaka Pasannacitta).

    ​I am an Early Buddhism mentor, ariya-puggala (sakadāgāmi), therapist, coach, Buddhist 
    precept holder, and I spent eight years living and working as a Buddhist anagārika, a pre-monastic renunciant. I work with dedicated Buddhist practitioners of all levels, from beginners to advanced, to help them attain measurable progress toward happiness and nibbāna. This kind of one-on-one training is uncommon for most lay practitioners.  If you are interested, please visit my coaching page or training page to learn more,  or contact me to discuss becoming a Buddhist trainee today.

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If you are currently experiencing suicidal thoughts or feelings of personal crisis, it is crucial that you receive immediate support from professionals who specialises in crisis intervention. For those in urgent need, please contact your local suicide prevention or personal crisis hotline. These services are usually available 24/7 and provides free and confidential support for individuals in distress. Your safety and well-being are of utmost importance. The services offered here are not psychotherapy or a substitute for professional medical, mental health, or therapeutic advice and do not replace the services of licensed healthcare providers such as doctors, psychologists, psychotherapists, etc. Once you are in a safe and stable place, we can explore how Buddhism can support your ongoing personal well-being and growth journey.
 

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Anagārika Michael Turner Pasannacitta Buddhist Teacher Philosopher, Dharma Coach, Meditation Instructor, Business Leader, Success Trainer, Mentor, Leadership Adviser, Executive Mentor
Michael Turner is a sakadāgāmi and a former Buddhist anagārika. He is also a deeply accomplished stream-entry mentor, applied-dharma coach, and Buddhist therapist. He emphasises and teaches the practical application of the Buddha's teachings in our everyday lives to overcome the problems that stand in the way of making measurable progress toward Buddhist enlightenment and he is particularly adept at explaining them in ways that can be easily understood and practiced by Western Buddhists. He has been meditating and cultivating the views and techniques that generate indestructible resilience, inner-strength, and direct experience for almost 30 years and has helped countless numbers of students and peers enhance and course-correct their practice to make veritable progress along the path toward Nibbāna.


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  • 🏠
  • Teachings, Blog, & Audio
    • Stream-entry Buddhist Blog
    • Achieving Stream-entry
    • Your Questions Answered
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  • Work With Me
    • Buddhist Happiness Coaching
    • Buddhist Path Training
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