Gavril Nikolaev
We may practice meditation, but the sense of inner peace it provides is often difficult to put into words. Everyone has a different experience while sitting in silence, alone with their thoughts. Perhaps for this reason, there are many modern interpretations of this ancient practice. But in Buddhism, the word bhavana, which we translate as … Read more
What is a Buddhist monk’s advice on choosing good friends? The answer to this question comes from Mahamevnawa, a monastery led by monks ordained and trained in the oldest tradition of Theravada Buddhism. Through their guidance, you can learn the Buddha’s teachings on mindfulness, meditation, virtue, and wisdom, which are presented in modern language and easy to understand. Founded … Read more
“Completeness and unity constitute our most fundamental nature as living beings,” writes Sharon Salzberg in her Lovingkindess book. “No matter how wonderful or terrible our lives have been, no matter how many traumas and scars we may carry from the past, no matter what we have gone through or what we are suffering now, … Read more
None of us are immune from adversity. At some point, we’ll be desperate for a moment of human kindness and connection; we’ll need someone who’d be willing to lend a helping hand without expecting anything in return. But for that to happen, we need a world that believes in kindness as the single most … Read more
“To realize a tranquil heart and clear mind is to have gone far along the path of meditation,” writes Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh (October 11, 1926–January 22, 2022) in his book The Miracle of Mindfulness. “During meditation, various feelings and thoughts may arise,” he adds. “If you don’t practice mindfulness of the breath, … Read more