Most people have the mistaken idea that Buddhism is all about suffering. In actual fact, he once taught, “I teach only suffering and the end of suffering.” In reality, life consists of suffering, disappointment, unsatisfactoriness and unease. Some “suffering” is unavoidable such as old age, sickness and death. However, we are accustomed to adding a […]
Challenges are Clues
Challenges are clues that there is some suffering in our lives that we are not addressing properly. It may relate to our health, or wealth, or our general well-being. The way around them is to look deeply into our hearts and recognize the challenges for what they are. This way, we can apply our mindfulness […]
Why Stress is Good for You
As you well know if you have been following Meditation Practices for a while, I am a big fan of Kelly McGonigal and her wonderful work at the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education (CCARE) at Stanford University. Her new book, The Upside of Stress: Why Stress Is Good for You, and How to […]
Highest Kind of Happiness
These words of wisdom from Shaila Catherine express the highest kind of happiness – the happiness equanimity. Shaila Catherine is the founder and guiding teacher of Insight Meditation South Bay and author of Focused and Fearless: A Meditator’s Guide to States of Deep Joy, Calm, and Clarity. What she says about the highest kind of […]
Surrendering to Our Grief
Frank Ostaseski is one the founders of the Zen Hospice Project in San Francisco. It was founded in 1987 by members of the San Francisco Zen Center and its doors have been open since 1990. I have had more than three previous occasions to encounter the Zen Hospice Project. When my friend, Richard Dahut was […]
The False Personality
We are excited to announce our recently launched, completely redesigned Enneagram Instrument website with a new look and feel and easy navigation. This article is about The False Personality. The False Personality Our goal is to understand our essential nature – those higher aspects of personality that make for a better human being and […]
Mindfulness of Craving
Craving or desire, especially sensual desire, is the root of all suffering. Mindfulness of craving can help us reduce or eliminate desire and give us freedom. Now what do we desire? Sex and sensual pleasures? Money? Power? That beautiful woman or handsome man? That shiny car? The best meals? That beautiful beachfront home? Chocolate? All […]
Meditation Practices to Reduce Suffering
The Dalai Lama is the spiritual and political leader of the Tibetan people. He is also probably the most inspiring teacher of meditation practices to reduce suffering. The Tibetan people have suffered tremendously at the hands of the Chinese and those in exile had to leave everything behind. Yet, they seem to have a positive […]
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