Category: Mindfulness
Buddhist Teachings on Mindfulness Meditation
What is mindfulness meditation and how do you do it? Learn the basics about the practice and its Buddhist roots, with easy-to-follow instructions.
The Dharma of Dogs
Zen teacher Roshi Joan Halifax recalls her good fortune with four-legged friends.
Are You Spiritual But Not Religious?
Buddhism is about realization and experience, not institutions or divine authority. This makes it especially suited to those who consider themselves spiritual but not religious. Here are ten reasons why:
That Time I Sobbed My Way Through a Himalayan Meditation Retreat
Fear, sadness, grief, jealousy, and anger are like quicksand: resisting them in a sudden, knee-jerk way can make them much more troublesome. But investigating them patiently – embracing them, even — can undo their effects. Pema Chödrön, an American nun in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, tells a story about Milarepa, a Tibetan sage who lived…
The Biggest Party Ever
As a child, Howard Axelrod dreamed of a festival that everyone in the world attended. Now he realizes that it's been happening all along.
How do I explain my Buddhist practice to my family?
Every time I see my family, I end up hurt because they believe Buddhism is a weird fringe religion. How can I make them understand?
15 Buddhist Apps to Help Recognize You Don’t Really Need a Buddhist iPhone App
Sam Littlefair learns why there are so few Buddhist apps and how — even if they're not totally necessary — they might help you on your spiritual journey.
A Guided Reflection on Bringing RAIN to Difficulty
In Andrea Miller's article, Tara Brach discusses a technique called RAIN that she frequently teaches to her students, and also uses in her own life. Here's a guided reflection for applying RAIN in your own life, excerpted from True Refuge.
The Perfect Love We Seek, The Imperfect Love We Live
Psychologist John Welwood looks at the difference between absolute and relative love, and the wound within each of us that no other can heal.
Awakening My Heart: On Retreat with Thich Nhat Hanh
Andrea Miller attends a transformational six-day retreat with Thich Nhat Hanh.
Should I believe the thought that I want a divorce?
Three teachers answer the question: "How can I know whether or not I should believe the thought I wish I weren't married to my spouse?"
How to Cool the Flames of Anger with “RAIN”
The best way to transform anger and other strong emotions is to befriend them. As with any relationship, it takes time to become intimate with the inner workings of our minds. To do it we need courage and strength. And we need the help of an effective technique. Peeling away the layers of anger moves…
How to Raise an Emotionally Resilient Child
Emotional health means accepting the full range of human emotions, both the painful and the positive.
Should I Meditate If I Can’t Stop Thinking about Porn?
Bodhin Kjolhede, JoAnna Harper, and Repa Dorje Odzer answer the question "Should I meditate if I can't stop thinking about porn?"
Trust in Your Goodness
Instead of trying to promote or defend ourselves, we can base our lives on something more powerful and trustworthy—our basic goodness.
Getting to Know Your Inner Critic
Jan Chozen Bays explains how to recognize and tame the critical commentary we replay in our minds.
The Long Goodbye of Alzheimer’s
She’s no longer the grandmother you remember. Margaret Manteau–Rao on how to love and accept your loved one as she is now.
You’re Basically Good — The Benefits of Contemplative Psychotherapy
Karen Kissel Wegela on therapy that starts with your basic sanity, not your neuroses.