Exploring the interface between Buddhist teachings, meditation techniques, academic Buddhist Studies, and the practical application of them into our lives as lay Buddhists
Everybody knows what it means to think, and what it means to think too much. Many people come to meditation with the idea that they ‘think too much to ever be good at it’, but this is a misunderstanding of what meditation is about, Buddhist meditation at least. The ability to think too much could … Continue reading Thinking about Thinking Too Much
The chaos of Christmas week in the UK delayed my foray into exploring the importance of generosity in Buddhist practice. I had intended to use the seasonal themes of giving and goodwill as a starting point, but since for Buddhists generosity isn’t just for Christmas the topic is no less relevant now that the Christmas … Continue reading The Gift of Generosity
In last week’s blog I was exploring how our hopes and wishes make no difference if the right conditions aren’t in place, with conditions changing so much at the moment it was no surprise that I quickly found myself with a change of conditions that gave me an opportunity to examine the many different aspects … Continue reading On The Run
After thinking about new year’s resolutions last week, it seemed quite fitting to follow it with reflecting on a sutta that explores the limits of desire in helping us to achieve the outcomes we are looking for. So many new year’s resolutions fall quickly by the wayside because they were little more than hopeful wishes; … Continue reading The Wrong End of the Cow
It’s easy to dismiss some of our modern New Year’s traditions such as making resolutions as just vehicles for the commercial exploitation of our inclination to narcissism, especially when you see advert after advert for yoga mats, protein powders, and diet books. Likewise it can be just as easy to dismiss some of our older … Continue reading New Year, New Who?
Kalyana Mitta 