“I am committed to the view the whole point and joy of human life is to integrate the spiritual with the material, the mystical with the sensuous, and the altruistic with a kind of proper self-love,” writes Alan Watts in his book In My Own Way: an Autobiography. “So I have always done things in … Read more
What is the most powerful force that can help us live with maximum aliveness? Frank Ostaseski found an answer to this question through his work at Zen Hospice Project, a safe haven for those not long for this world. Listening to the last words of the dying gave him a unique perspective on what truly … 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
Just as Christians believe in life after death, Buddhists believe in reincarnation as an intermediary step on the path to Nirvana. It might take several lifetimes to reach enlightenment, and where you spend your time before another rebirth is based on the accumulation of merit. To end up in the brahma world, one of … Read more