2011 October | Wise Attention

The Future of Buddhism in the West

Posted by Vishvapani on Oct 30, 2011 in Buddhism in the West, Buddhist World | 8 comments

Forces at work in Buddhism today offer hints of the future for Buddhism in western countries and its influence on society

Guru Trouble

Posted by Vishvapani on Oct 30, 2011 in Buddhism in the West, Reviews | 0 comments

Wise men, eccentrics, geniuses and charlatans. Gurus have featured large as Buddhism has come the West. What should we make of them? Reviews of Madame Blavatsky's Baboon: Theosophy and the Emergence of the Western Guru by Peter Washington; Riding the Tiger by Lama Ole Nydahl; Zen In America by Helen Tworkov

Giving Life

Posted by Vishvapani on Oct 20, 2011 in Buddhism, Ethics, Thought for the Day | 0 comments

As the UK debates how much women should be paid to donate eggs to infertile couples for IVF this Thought for the Day explores the real value of altruism, placing it in the context of Mahayana Buddhist teachings.

Take a Breathing Space

Posted by Vishvapani on Oct 17, 2011 in Mindfulness | 0 comments

A breathing space is a way to regain calm and poise in the midst of a hectic day, reconnecting with yourself and broadening out your experience. Try it now!

Beyond the Driven Economy

Posted by Vishvapani on Oct 14, 2011 in Comment, Thought for the Day | 2 comments

In the grip of a recession we want economic growth, but we also fear its consequences. Is there an alternative and what light can Buddhism and mindfulness practice shed? Thought for the Day 13 October, 2011

Memento Mori

Posted by Vishvapani on Oct 10, 2011 in Buddhism, Practice | 0 comments

It's easy to think that Insight, Wisdom and Enlightenment are far beyond the level of our experience. But if we reflect on our experience in the light of teachings such as the Worldly Winds we sometimes find that the deeper truths are present right now

Worldly Winds in the News

Posted by Vishvapani on Oct 9, 2011 in Buddhism, Comment, Thought for the Day | 0 comments

A man has risen to fame, riches and power, but things turn against him and he is facing disgrace. We must wait till the final act to discover if the fault’s his own or he’s a victim of injustice, but either is the material of tragedy. Strauss-Kahn, Gaddafi ... This Thought for the Day reflects on the worldly winds as the news shows them blowing through the lives of those caught up in a maelstrom they never expected