By Sanathavihari Bhikkhu (Bio at bottom of feature.) Sanathavihari BhikkhuA Theravadan monk explains how Buddhist mindfulness and clinical therapeutic mindfulness are complimentary — but not the same 1 As a Buddhist monk, I have some misgivings about the way in which mindfulness is understood and used today. My biggest concern is the misunderstanding of mindfulness, which can often lead to the abuse of it. Allow me...
The sages and the Buddhas found ultimate wisdom in the spaces between thoughts, between sounds, between images, between feelings. The ancient saying "all Dharmas are forms of emptiness" isn't just a fun pun — how can there be "form" in emptiness? — it is also a core mission. When we think of...
Our society is rife with stress, competition, fear, and commercialism – yet we're at a time when spirituality has become a buzzword. On one hand, there’s definitely an increased need for spiritualism in a stressful environment, but there still seems to be a disconnect here. While we may be on the right...
The Five Strengths (Sanskrit, Pali: pañcabalā) in Buddhism — critical to our progress on the path to enlightenment — are: faith, energy, mindfulness, concentration, and wisdom. They are one of the seven sets of Bodhipakkhiyadhamma ("qualities conducive to enlightenment"). You may wonder why our feature image for pancabala is a monk creating an elaborate sand mandala...
We often lack the focus necessary to become aware of all of our experiences and genuinely comprehend what we desire in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Although mindfulness necessitates ongoing work, it requires a specific sort of effort, natural and effortless, similar to meditation. It's merely a matter of noticing...
It is often said that Buddhist and martial arts practices are complementary — and sometimes even analogous in method. This may be because both emphasize discipline, mindfulness, and compassion. The relationship between martial arts and Buddhism has a long history, at least stretching back to ancient India, and later to its association...
Buddha taught the many benefits of meditation more than 2500 years ago — in the Satipatthana Sutta and others — and modern medical science confirms and reinforces those benefits in study after study. In this feature, we cite 17 sources of research supporting ten indicated benefits. The good news here — aside from...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Qnjr44dCCA In session 1 of Mahamudra retreat — a full weekend of teachings — Venerable Zasep Rinpoche introduces Mahamudra and guides a wonderful session that includes a guided session on Samatha Mindfulness — Calm Abiding Meditation. In session 2, Ven. Zasep Rinpoche teaches us how to rest our minds in the natural...
Five key meditation methods can provide signicant health and cognitive benefits by inducing "Theta brainwaves." — according to numerous studies. Theta is associated with "ideas without censorship" or "ideation" mind mode [2]. It is also one of the secrets to a healthy mind and body. Despite the science, Theta is notoriously difficult...
Of all the Suttas, one of the most important taught by the Buddha is the Satipatthana Sutta — The Discourse on The Only Way. Although this discourse on Arousing Mindfulness is considered to be the main method of training for Vipassana, it is actually the main foundation practice of all other methods...
The great Lama Yeshe said: "Our problem is that inside us there is a mind going, 'Impossible, impossible, impossible. I can't, I can't, I can't, I can't' ... Human beings have great potential; they can do anything. The power of the mind is limitless." To subdue this "I can't" mind, many Buddhists...
