Does Buddhist Practice Risk Turning You Into a Jerk?
Let’s consider a thought experiment: You have a pill that can extend your life by six months. Alternatively, you could give this pill to a stranger similar to you, and ... Read MoreRead More
Find Inner Peace and Relaxation with Calm Minds Meditation
Let’s consider a thought experiment: You have a pill that can extend your life by six months. Alternatively, you could give this pill to a stranger similar to you, and ... Read MoreRead More
In a series of posts, I’ve been explaining how teachings from early Buddhist scriptures can help us overcome addiction to social media. These teachings are found in the Vitakkasanthana Sutta, ... Read MoreRead More
As you read this, start to notice your breathing. Don’t try to change it—just let your body breathe naturally. Now, let’s make a small change: for the next minute or ... Read MoreRead More
We’re currently crowdfunding to launch a meditation app called “Bodhi Mind,” which will feature a wide range of my guided meditations, right at your fingertips. We’ve already raised almost 75% ... Read MoreRead More
Some time ago, I received a message from a woman who seemed worried that my life as a Buddhist must be pretty dull—mostly just meditating and “being good” all the ... Read MoreRead More
Anyone who has meditated knows that we often need to refocus our minds to the sensations of breathing, building kindness, or another meditation object, only to get distracted repeatedly by ... Read MoreRead More
Over 35 years ago, I had the chance to hear the Dalai Lama speak in Edinburgh. Someone asked him about the usefulness of anger, especially since he had emphasized love ... Read MoreRead More
I’ve had a lot of people ask me about the “near enemy” of compassion lately, so let me explain… The “near enemy” is something that looks like compassion but isn’t. ... Read MoreRead More
In the tradition I follow, both lovingkindness (metta bhavana) and mindfulness meditation are seen as equally important. However, my informal surveys indicate that about a third of long-term practitioners have ... Read MoreRead More
Recently, I Googled “Buddha quotes on friendship” and was shocked to find that the top result was full of completely fake quotes. These were either misattributed to the Buddha or ... Read MoreRead More
Many people find it challenging to grasp the Buddhist concept of anatta, or non-self, which is understandable due to its complexity. The idea that no single “self” controls our thoughts ... Read MoreRead More
I’m Bodhipaksa, the founder of Wildmind, and I want to share news about an exciting new meditation project we’ve started. Wildmind is now becoming a Community-Supported Meditation Initiative. By subscribing ... Read MoreRead More
A common struggle people face in meditation is that their thoughts are more vivid than their direct experience of their body. This often results in an internal tug-of-war where attention ... Read MoreRead More
In my new book, “Resilient,” I provide practical strategies for developing the 12 inner-strengths essential for long-term well-being in a changing world. One of these strengths is Enjoying Life. Imagine ... Read MoreRead More
If you know my meditation teaching style, you’re likely aware that I’ve focused on the concept of having “soft eyes” for years. “Soft eyes” encapsulates three ideas: keeping the eye ... Read MoreRead More
Some of the biggest myths about the Buddha are so widespread that you’ll find them in nearly every book on Buddhism. The issue is that most of these books just ... Read MoreRead More
If you close your eyes and focus on your body, can you feel your heartbeat without touching your chest or checking your pulse? Can you do the same with your ... Read MoreRead More
Although Buddhist meditation was initially reserved mostly for celibate monks and nuns who refrained from physical contact with the opposite sex, practicing mindfulness can significantly enhance your love life. And ... Read MoreRead More
In late 2019, I recorded a series of talks for “Tricycle” magazine, discussing how Buddhist tools can help us overcome social media and internet addiction. Although the talks didn’t go ... Read MoreRead More
There’s an old tale about a young man who wanted to become an expert swordsman. He traveled a long distance to find a famous teacher living in a remote mountain ... Read MoreRead More
Buddhism is packed with various lists: the three trainings, the four foundations of mindfulness, the five skandhas, the eightfold path, the twelve-fold dependent origination, the 37 limbs of awakening, and ... Read MoreRead More