“Success means getting up at 5am, punishing ourselves at the gym and then producing, producing, producing,” writes Arwa Mahdawi in 2018 The Guardian opinion piece. “I have frequent anxiety attacks where I feel as if I’m not doing enough, achieving enough, earning enough.” As sad as it may sound, but one has to look … Read more

  “We survive and thrive only in an environment of concern, affection, and warmheartedness — or in a single word, compassion,” wrote the Dalai Lama in reflecting on how to live a more purposeful and meaningful life. “The essence of compassion is a desire to alleviate the suffering of others and to promote their well-being. … Read more

  How do Buddhist monks handle insults? I recently came across an answer to this question while reading the book Manual of Insight by Mahasi Sayadaw (July 29, 1904–August 14, 1982). In the chapter titled “The Purification of Conduct,” he outlines the four kinds of morality for Buddhist monks: observing monastic precepts, pursuing a pure … Read more

Do you want to learn how to practice one-minute mindfulness? I’ve been reading 8 Mindful Steps to Happiness, one of the most accessible and lucid guides to cultivating awareness, by the beloved Buddhist teacher Ven. Bhante Henepola Gunaratana. In the chapter titled “Beginning a Practice of Mindfulness,” in discussing what beginners can do to be … Read more