Did the Buddha say, “There is no self”? To answer this question, I turn to an article from Access to Insight written by Thanissaro Bhikkhu. He begins by saying that anatta, the Buddhist doctrine of no self, is one of the first major obstacles for Westerners trying to understand Buddhism. He writes: First, the idea … Read more
What is the purpose of meditation? Have nothing on our mind? Think of something specific? Find a pleasant feeling to hold on to? Be blank and see what comes next? We can’t help but feel utterly lost in all these questions at the very start of our meditation practice. If we’re to make progress and … Read more
What are the five major world religions? We were born into a time when many young people had lost faith in the transcendent, whether it be named God, Nature, the Sacred, or by any other term. Confident in our understanding of the world, we were lulled into a false sense of security. But this illusion … Read more
It’s hard to be human and be unmoved by tragedies reported in international news. But they’re not confined to faraway countries afflicted by poverty, disease, and military conflict. Today, many people are wading through vast, unseen fields of mental suffering caused by a lack of values and meaning in their lives. How do we … Read more
What is taking refuge in the Three Jewels of Buddhism? It means putting your trust in the Buddha, the Buddhist community (Sangha), and Buddhist teachings (Dharma). We develop this trust when our meditation and mindfulness practice reaches a certain point that gives rise to increased appreciation and even a sense of devotion to the … Read more