This week let’s look at the outer segments which represent the six realms of existence according to Buddhist cosmology. Traditionally these are seen as distinct places where consciousness can take rebirth after death. As such none of them are permanent, as having taken birth […]
With all that is happening in the world right now it feels hard to know quite what to say. So for today I am going to look at a Buddhist teaching on what drives living beings. The Buddhist teachings on “life, […]
Last week I spoke of noticing the ‘always’ and ‘never’ thoughts that can lie in wait to pounce on us at moments of stress. “Why do I always…” Instead with mindfulness one comes back to the present moment and notices […]
I saw a thought for the day on the white board at my local tube recently which said: “No one is ever going to love you more than you love yourself. In other words, until you’re 100 percent into YOU, […]
I hope you are well and surviving the onslaught of wind and rain! With it being cold, wet and nasty outside over this next month the focus of the class will be on cultivating a warm and loving heart! Regulars […]
Once considered something alternative mindfulness courses are being increasingly used by business to improve morale, productivity and the ability to cope with stress. Businesses as diverse as Transport for London (TfL), Google, Facebook, GlaxoSmithKline, the Home Office, the Cabinet Office, KPMG, […]
There’s a story from Zen Buddhism of two monks on a journey back to their monastery. They reach a shallow river and are about to cross when a beautiful young woman calls to them and asks for help getting across. […]
On December 7th1988 I was listening to the news and heard with shock reports of an earthquake in Armenia that had devastated the country and killed 60,000. I felt horrified at the immensity of the destruction and was overwhelmed by […]
In Zen temples there is a tradition of a bell being rung at random intervals. When it is heard everyone stops what they are doing and pauses for a few moments to breath, attend to their body sensations and feelings. […]
This week I’ve been reminded how easy it is to get caught up in self blame and wishing things were different. The mind is so good at hindsight and then berating one with not making the ‘obvious’ decision […]
