The Lost Art of Contemplation

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 contemplation...
Emergency Meditations: Easy Short Meditations

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 when you...
Meditation is Not Enough

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 swing from one extreme...
Amazing Meditation Experiences: What Do They Mean?

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 the path, for...
How Much Should I Meditate to See Results?

How Much Should I Meditate to See Results?

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...
Emergency Meditations: Easy Short Meditations

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 the road to the...