Our minds are not much more than universe simulators. It is truly a remarkable feat that our minds can create such a perfect, solid internal recreation of the outer world. The fact that our minds can project all of the details of our universe, all of the intricate architecture around us, all the complicated details of a flower, in such high resolution, with such clear sound, is truly astonishing. But the…
When someone we love dies, where do they go? What is death?These are stories. They may be universal. We may all suffer immensely, but we are suffering a story. If your friend is moving away forever but going to live at Disney World, their favorite place on earth, you’re not really that sad. So it is our stories that we believe about death that make us suffer.In regard to something we…
What do you do if your partner is spiritually at a different place than you are? Ultimately, this question comes down to two things. There are really two broad stages of spirituality and spiritual development. Of course, within each stage there are many levels, but we can loosely divide them into beginner and advanced, those new, inexperienced meditators and mindful practitioners, and those who have been on the path for…
I am fascinated by those timeless thoughts that every generations ponders: Who am I? Why am I here? What is my purpose? What is the meaning of life? For tens of thousands of years, humans have looked to the skies and wondered about these questions. And yet, after all that time, we're no closer to an answer. However, one key phrase keeps getting passed down: Know thyself. But what does…
This article is part of the ongoing Meditation for All challenge. Subscribers to the free newsletter receive weekly guidance and a daily practice.Is Meditation a Placebo?Meditation can often look like doing nothing, but that couldn't be further from the truth. Meditation is very active. It is the act of mastering being both highly alert and highly relaxed. Being in these two states simultaneously trains our mind and body to remain…
This article is part of the ongoing Meditation for All challenge. Subscribers to the free newsletter receive weekly guidance and a daily practice.For many people in the West, the mere idea of meditating is a significant source of stress. People will try almost anything before attempting "not doing," aka meditating. Many people will say walking or swimming or dancing is their meditation. So, is that really meditating? Is that equally…
This article is part of the ongoing Meditation for All challenge. Subscribers to the free newsletter receive weekly guidance and a daily practice.Meditation makes us happier, healthier, and wiser. It gives us more energy, better focus, and greater awareness. You don’t need to be suffering from a midlife crisis to start a meditation practice. Meditation is the key to preventing a mental crisis in the first place. We all, kids…
It’s important to understand that listing gratitudes is a symptom of a grateful mindset, not the cause of it. If our list contains things that can be taken away — money, people, achievements — then losing them feels like gratitude failed us. But real gratitude is not based on possessions. Real gratitude can be for: Life itself Breath in your body Sound Sight Warmth A moment of peace Anything that…
We know that people will lie. We know that people will say hurtful things because they've been hurt. We know that what people say about us can have absolutely nothing to do with us. And we know that people judge, blame, and criticize in ways that have no relationship to the truth. So why then do their words hurt so much? Why do we suffer so deeply when people slander…
This article is part of the ongoing Meditation for All challenge. Subscribers to the free newsletter receive weekly guidance and a daily practice.Meditation vs MindfulnessWhat Does It Mean to Be Mindful?We hear the word, “mindful” a lot. On one hand, it sounds like a full mind, but on the other hand, people talk about it as though it means the mind is empty. The truth is, mindfulness is the opposite of…
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