Category: Buddhism and Spiritual Practice

Meditation for developing affectionate love for all beings. Buddhism guides us to examine our natural behaviors and responses, assess the pain they cause, and use our insight to choose more wisely, lessening our suffering and that of others. The Buddha’s teachings highlight the importance of developing equanimity, encouraging us to see ourselves as valueless and…

You don’t need to believe in magnetism to use a compass. Reincarnation is Useful Bullshit Do I actually believe, as ontological Body reality, that I have actually existed through endless lifetimes? No. I don’t. But I don’t need to. I don’t need to believe in magnetism to use a compass. Karma still works when I act…

Are your behaviors and attitudes toward others based on wisdom or poor self-serving rationalizations? Conflicts are inevitable whenever people interact with others. How people approach and resolve these conflicts determines the quality and durability of their relationships. A completely selfish person will demand what they want and manipulate others to obtain it. They don’t feel…

Feeling angry or resentful is a decision one makes, and individuals can use particular techniques to aid in their forgiveness. Hatred never ceases through hatred, but through love alone is healed. This is an eternal law. The Buddha When we interact with other people, we judge our experiences with them as pleasant, unpleasant, or neutral.…

Buddhist meditation practices that encourage feelings that promote peace of mind and happiness. When I was a teenager, I completely rejected the Roman Catholic Church and all its teachings. With no lingering doubts, I believed I was a hardcore atheist. This break from my past allowed me to freely explore other religious and spiritual traditions…

Learning to devalue yourself and value others equally. The three types of emotional reactions Whenever we encounter any phenomenon, we judge it as either positive, negative, or neutral. Buddhist psychology recognizes three types of reactions to our judgments. If we encounter something we judge to be pleasant or positive, we tend to want more of…

Generosity is a key practice on the path to spiritual enlightenment in Buddhism. Giving and Wisdom Before I began engaging in a regular spiritual practice, I was not particularly generous. I nearly always placed my own selfish desires above any other concerns. I’m not unique in that particular spiritual failing. As I became more focused…

Tibetan Buddhist views on the significance and practice of the Bodhisattva Vow. Embracing the Buddhist path requires letting go of this life’s attachments to focus on improving future lives. Interestingly, by doing so, one often finds that their current life is enhanced significantly, a fact that helps motivate continued practice. To attain tranquility in the…

Daily life for a Buddhist practitioner is following the Six Perfections in pursuit of enlightenment. The Six Perfections include generosity, ethical conduct, patience, effort, concentration, and wisdom. They are called Perfections because these practices are all motivated by Bodhichitta, the desire to obtain enlightenment for the sake of others. Similar actions and behaviors that are…