Mindfulness

Is Mindfulness Ethically Neutral?

Toni Bernhard discusses why she thinks Mindfulness should not be considered a passive practice.

Ram Dass: Being Here

Ram Dass has led a long life of loving and being loved: the patience, humor, and grace of one of our most influential spiritual figures.

Larry Rosenberg Shambhala Sun Therevada Skepticism Ajahn Chah

Be a Lamp Unto Yourself

The freedom that Buddhism offers can’t be found if you don’t ask questions—about the teachings, the teachers, and yourself. Larry Rosenberg on how to cultivate a spirit of inquiry, even skepticism, to illuminate your path.

A Questioning Life

Toni Packer didn’t call herself a Buddhist, but she dedicated her life to exploring the path of awakening.

Film projector.

Life, Frame by Frame

Much of the time, life is like watching a movie: we suspend disbelief and lose ourselves in the story. On the bodhisattva path, we see through the illusion.<p class="intro">Much of the time, life is like watching a movie: we suspend disbelief and lose ourselves in the story. On the bodhisattva path, says <strong>Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche</strong>, we see the illusory nature of these appearances, and in doing so discover a boundless compassion.</p>

The Gift Goenka Gave Us

S.N. Goenka, in the lineage of Ledi Sayadaw, brought the method of insight meditation to modern-day people from all walks of life.

Back from the Brink

Jim Willems’ chronic pain and illness had become so bad he decided to take his own life. But the dharma kept him going through the darkness.

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Can meditation become addictive?

The teachers are asked whether meditation can become addictive, bringing about withdrawal symptoms when a session is missed.

Reviews: Investigating the Subtle Body

Willa B. Miller reviews "Religion and the Subtle Body in Asia and the West" and "Training the Wisdom Body: Buddhist Yogic Exercise".

Book Briefs Winter 2013

Brief summaries of Buddhist books from the Winter 2013 issue of Buddhadharma magazine.

Sanshin Zen Community Indiana Dogen Zenji Shohaku Okumura Kosho Uchiyama Roshi Lion's Roar Buddhism

Profile: Sanshin Zen Community

Michael Haederle profiles the Sashin Zen Community, led by Shohaku Okumura Roshi and based in Bloomington, Indiana.

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Journeys: What About My Retreat?

Maureen Connor reflects on the ups and downs of organizing her first retreat, and sense of community that it brings.

Ground-breaking TV documentary series depicts realities of dying

Konchog Norbu reports on the new Showtime documentary series, Time of Death, to see how it approaches a difficult topic. 

New Yorker essay: Book printing a Buddhist invention

The West has a misconception that printing was invented in Europe. In fact, the origins of printing on paper comes from Chinese Buddhism.

Wisdom Publications

Wisdom Publications launches new site, expands reach through freshly inked deal with Simon & Schuster

Wisdom Publications has entered into an agreement with Simon & Schuster for the sales and fulfillment of its entire catalog of Buddhist books.

Peter Matthiessen’s new novel draws on “Bearing Witness” meditation retreats at Auschwitz

The next book Zen teacher and social activist Peter Matthiessen draws from his experiences meditating and Bearing Witness at Auschwitz.

“Look, Look!”

Here is the gate through which the buddhas come into the world, born of women, born of wisdom. Judith Simmer-Brown comments on this koan.

Editorial: Welcome to the Big Tent

Associate Editor Rod Meade Sperry's editorial introduction of the November 2013 issue of Lion's Roar magazine. 

The Dalai Lama and Aung Sang Suu Kyi meet together in Prague, praise Vaclav Havel at human rights conference

The Dalai Lama and Aung Sang Suu Kyi meet together in Prague, praise Vaclav Havel at human rights conference.

A Beautiful Wish (You Are the Sun…)

Our deepest and most beautiful wish is to become a better person. Just follow the wanting itself, says Zen teacher John Tarrant. That is the gate.