“Develop a mind that is vast like space, where experiences both pleasant and unpleasant can appear and disappear without conflict, struggle or harm. Rest in…
Read Part One: Turning Toward Our Essence As we have seen, when we turn to investigate who is being aware we may feel confused, like
Let us consider the unbounded sky or mirror-like nature of consciousness. We need to be practical. Our first task is to learn to distinguish the…
To work with a sacred image, choose someone who inspires you, St. Francis or Kwan Yin the goddess of infinite mercy, Jesus or Mary, Buddha…
(Read Part One of The Storytelling Mind) When we look at the constant and repetitive process of our own thinking, we see how habitually it…
When I first took robes and entered the monastic community of Ajahn Chah, I had already been practicing meditation for two years. Now, sitting…
“With the mind, observe the mind.” – Buddha This first simple practice gives an immediate experience of mindfulness of thought. Sit comfortably and quietly. After…
It is a great relief to discover that our stories do not fully define who we are, or what is happening to us. One practitioner…
Ancient Buddhist tales of redemption are recounted to encourage our understanding that it is never too late to start anew. The object of meditation is…
First select a suitable place for your regular meditation. Place a meditation cushion or chair there for your use, and add any books or images…
Begin by sitting comfortably, focusing awareness on your breathing. As you feel each breath, carefully acknowledge it with a simple name: “in-breath, out-breath,” saying the…
Learning to concentrate, though initially difficult, works. Gradually, through repeated focus on our subject over hours and days, the mind’s wandering diminishes. It settles down…
