Why Does My Mind Get in the Way of Meditation?

Have you ever sat down to meditate with every intention of being calm and mindful, only to discover that your mind seems determined to do anything else? I certainly have. During the first year of Covid, I began paying much more attention to the Five Hindrances in my meditation practice. I was trying hard to Read More

What Buddhist Tradition Do You Follow?

"Come and see."-The Buddha During my recent pilgrimage to Nepal, I found myself being asked a question that I had never really considered before. "What Buddhist tradition do you follow?" At first, I wasn’t sure how to answer. Over three weeks I spent fourteen days in Kathmandu and four days in Lumbini, the birthplace of Read More

Do You Have To Be A Buddhist To Meditate

"Can meditation exist without religion?" It is a question I have been asked several times, and one that has become increasingly relevant as meditation has grown in popularity through mindfulness apps, wellbeing programmes and modern psychology. Before answering it, I find myself thinking about something much broader. Mindfulness. Wellbeing. Spirituality. Religion. Meditation. Can any one Read More

Is Mindfulness Becoming Too Commercial?

My short answer to this question is: yes. Mindfulness has become a huge industry. There are books, videos, apps, courses, retreats, coaching programmes and counselling services, all promising greater calmness, less stress, better sleep, improved concentration and relief from anxiety. Perhaps I am biased because I approach mindfulness primarily through Buddhism and feel that mindfulness Read More

What is Sangha in Buddhism

In Buddhism there is a traditional commitment recited by devotees across many different traditions: "I take refuge in the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha." These are known as the Three Jewels:the teacher,the teaching,and the community. The words "taking refuge" are deeply symbolic. Refuge means shelter, protection, or a safe place during difficulty and uncertainty. Read More