Confusing Charisma with Wisdom
Another source of spiritual misunderstanding is our confusion of charisma with true wisdom. Certain spiritual leaders possess the ability to evoke extraordinary states. Amplified by our...
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Freeing Ourselves
Unhealthy thoughts can chain us to the past. They arise as vipaka, the result of past karma that we cannot change. We can, however, change...
The Near Enemies of Awakening
Compassion vs. Pity and Despair The near enemy of compassion is pity. Instead of feeling the openness of compassion, pity says, “Oh, that poor person....
No Enlightened Retirement
“If there be anywhere on earth a lover of God who is always kept safe, I know nothing of it, for it was not shown...
The Four Radiant Abodes
The most treasured description of optimal mental health is the Four Radiant Abodes. These four radiant abodes are: loving-kindness, compassion, joy and equanimity or peace....
Examining Thoughts
Buddhist psychology helps us with two important tasks in working with thoughts. First it teaches us how to acknowledge the content of our...
The Compassionate Replacement of Painful Thoughts
If you are a person who has regular, repeated destructive thoughts, thoughts of self-judgment, criticism, shame, or unworthiness, work with this training for a week...
Non-Identification
In non-identification we stop taking the experience as me or mine. We see how our identification creates dependence, anxiety, and inauthenticity. In practicing non-identification, we...
Awakening the Buddha of Wisdom in Difficulties
“Who is your enemy? Mind is your enemy. Who is your friend? Mind is your friend.” ~Buddha I have on my refrigerator a picture of...
Misconceptions About Selflessness
Misconceptions about selflessness and emptiness abound, and such confusions undermine genuine spiritual development. Some people believe that they can come to selflessness by struggling to...
The Bird in the Trap
A certain man caught a bird in a trap. The bird says, “Sire, you have eaten many cows and sheep in your life, and you’re...
Healing Through Emptiness
The last aspect of mindful healing is awareness of the universal laws that govern life. Central to it is an understanding of emptiness. This is most...
