Meditation
Beyond Illusion: The Limitless Perception of the Clear-Light Mind
The study of how we see helps us to see.—Richard L. Gregory One does not see with the eyes; one sees with the brain. —Oliver Sacks The Illusion of Duality and the Practice of Lucid Dreaming The teachings on emptiness and illusory form are...
Is the West Ready for Tantra?
The Power of Tantric Practices Tantric methods of transformation are among the most powerful means of spiritual practice ever devised. Tantra has the ability to radically transform a practitioner, and even bring about enlightenment in one...
The Lost Art of Contemplation
This article was originally published in Tricycle: The Buddhist Review (February 1, 2021). tricycle.org. The Importance of Contemplation In today's fast-paced world, it can be challenging to slow down and contemplate. However, learning the art of...
Emergency Meditations: Easy Short Meditations
Many people have a limited sense of meditation. One unexpected aspect of expanding our sense of meditation is learning how to shrink it, so to speak, into what I refer to as "Emergency Meditations." People often think that meditation only works...
Meditation is Not Enough
Many meditators think that meditation is capable of handling all your issues. People often swing the pendulum too far back in the other direction, from an initially dismissive attitude towards meditation, to one that views it as a panacea. They...
Amazing Meditation Experiences: What Do They Mean?
If you have been meditating for some time, sooner or later you may find that you have some amazing meditation experiences - which is a time of rejoicing, and a time for concern. Meditative absorption, as coveted as it may be, is not the point of...
How Much Should I Meditate to See Results?
I'm often asked, "How much should I meditate to see results?" Before offering more specific guidelines for meditation, to help gain perspective, I like to point out the importance of repetition in mastering anything. We also need to take into...
My First Month Long Silent Meditation Retreat
In 1988, in an effort to explore the Buddhist path, I decided to do a month long silent meditation retreat in the forests of Vermont. It was a stretch. Outside of a few weekends of meditation I had never tried to practice for so long. I walked up...
Three Downsides of the Mindfulness Revolution
The benefits of mindfulness are legion. However, I do believe there are downsides of the mindfulness revolution, because wherever you find light, you find the near enemies. 1. Scientism As potent as mindfulness is, it is not a panacea. Just like...