Western Buddhism owes its widespread appeal to the ability to reinvent itself for the needs of contemporary followers. Such evolution clearly presents itself in modern mindfulness movement, which promotes mindful eating, mindful parenting, and corporate mindful leadership. “This is a far cry from Buddhism’s original big splash among beats, hippies, and other figures of the … Read more
I don’t know about you, but I was really confused by Buddhism at the beginning of my journey several years ago. One look at the Pali Canon made me feel overwhelmed and underpowered. “So much to learn, so little time,” I thought to myself. And I wasn’t far from the truth by thinking like that. … Read more
I’d like to share one of my favorite quotes. I find them while surfing the web, reading a book, or doing research for one of my articles. As someone who’s passionate about writing, I like to keep these small reminders front and center because of their capacity to ground me in the present moment and … Read more
I’m always on the lookout for new Buddhism books that offer practical guidance for improving my life. Jack Kornfield’s writings have been especially helpful in this regard. One of his anthologies even inspired my article on overcoming grief. I first discovered Teachings of the Buddha a few years ago while researching Buddhist culture and rituals. … Read more
The Buddha was born into a life of privilege. Before he became a monk, he was a prince. According to the Pali Canon, he “had three palaces: one for winter, one for summer, and one for the rains.” But being surrounded by wealth did not bring him happiness. Why? One version of the story highlights … Read more