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Mindfulness Matters

This is the final set of reflections on obstacles to practice focusing on the Buddha’s five hindrances (well not his hindrances, but the five that he set out as obstacles to meditation). The Five are a laundry list of things that are rarely a good idea–sensual desire anger, anxiety, laziness, and doubt. We’ll look at…

I tend to avoid using “relaxation” in my teaching of mindfulness. As I understand it, the goal of mindfulness practice is not to relax but to know our minds. Relaxation is a reliable by-product of the process but not the main goal. For one, meditation practice is not always relaxing. When we practice, the stuff…

My friend, colleague, and dharma sister Polly-Young Eisdendrathis presenting at Omega with Mark Matousek. Polly is a gifted writer and engaging speaker. On the weekend of June 8-10, they will be teaching at the Omega Institute a workshop: Writing and True Love: Have you noticed that writers and seekers after truth and love share some…

My colleagues at the University of California San Diego recently held a conference called Bridging Hearts & Minds of Youth. The conference audio and videos are now available if you missed this conference. They are planning the conference again for next February. This is the first conference of its kind to assemble professionals from various disciplines involved…

Around this time and around the world, the Buddha’s birthday is celebrated. I’ll take this occasion to reflect on the Buddha and what he means to me. Archeological evidence suggests he was an actual person. The year’s of his existence are approximately 2500 years ago. The traditional time frame was adjusted  forward 8o-some years after Professor…

Jaimal Yogis is the author of the compelling, endearing, and enlightening memoir–Saltwater Buddha: A Surfer’s Quest to Find Zen on the Sea. If you haven’t read this already, you should. It’s one of my favorite books. Jaimal has just launched a new blog called the Fear Project. Here is his description: For the last few…

27 April 2012: I enter the Davis Center at the University of Vermont. I’m heading for the meditation flash mob scheduled for noon. I enter on the second floor and pass by throngs of students getting their lunch in the cafeteria. I think to myself, “Don’t they know the flashmob is underway?” Across the hall,…

Today I continue the series on obstacles to practice with a focus on self-sabotage that may keep us off the cushion. The other day, I talked about agendas, expectations, and strivng that may arise during practice--in a sense what comes to us unbidden. Self-sabatoge can be pernicious and comes in both gross and subtle forms. It seems clear…

Today I continue the series on obstacles to practice with a focus on affective factors that may keep us off the cushion. The other day, I talked about difficult experiences that may arise during practice--in a sense what comes to us unbidden. Today, I’ll focus on what we bring to the practice rather than what the practice…

Today I continue the series on obstacles to practice with a focus on affective factors that may keep us off the cushion. Denise commented that: “My story telling mind is always trying to steer me away from the pillow! The thing is, if I don’t meditate first thing in the morning, I won’t do it.…
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