A scene from Project Rebirth (Run 4), when participants try out basic meditation, after sharing the recommended physical and mental postures. Details on Run 5 (& Feedback on Past Runs) can be seen...

One of the most deluded kind of meditators are those who imagine they were in deep peace, when they were really in deep sleep, who imagine they have experienced non-self mindfully, when their consciousness was simply switched off while...

May I be free from enmity and danger May I be free from mental suffering (e.g. fear, hatred, jealousy) May I be free from physical suffering (e.g. discomfort, illness) May I be well and happy May I take care of myself happily May my mother and father (brothers and sisters…) be free from...

Question: Would you say that reciting Om Mani Padme Hung is similar to the practice of metta meditation in that it develops loving-kindness and compassion? Answer: A friend’s wife, at the end of an Om Mani Padme Hum retreat, turned vegetarian upon hearing the heartfelt advice of...

Here is a wonderful old video of Alan Watts introducing Buddhist meditation. It’s still very relevant. I’ve not read Watts’ materials widely, but what he says here, other than the side joke about God, makes a lot of sense. This video inspired me to write this article for...

Before the retreat began, there was already a mysterious brown cloth placed on each meditation cushion. Many wondered what it was for. Was it for sitting upon? Was it for bowing upon? So as to keep the cushion clean? Some said it should be kept clean. Some just put it aside. No one had any...

From a Facebook discussion, a friend got this reply from his friend when he said he’s going to learn what I assume to be Buddhist meditation: ‘You should believe in God. Although meditation may bring benefits according to reports, it is dangerous and devil may infiltrate your...

The ingenious film that is ‘Inception’ begins with the assumption that it is possible for multiple persons to enter someone’s dream, that can even be designed without that person knowing, thus digging out deep secrets from his sub-consciousness, or even implanting ideas...

Q: Where is the mind? How does it multi-task? A: The mind is where you put it to. E.g. If you think of your fingers typing, your mind is there then. Multi-tasking is an illusion. We can only do one thing mindfully at a time, though we can train to do many things quickly and some mindlessly...

Release from being bound by what you wrongly assume to be true happiness brings even greater happiness. - Stonepeace This is a wonderful short film on the joys of mindful appreciation of everyday things in the moment. However, from a Dharma point of view, the ideas portrayed are imperfect...

‘Who am I?’ ‘I’ am nothing but constant change, yet while our mind and matter change, there is always to unchanging potential to become fully enlightened, perfect in compassion and wisdom. Yesterday at 11:37pm · Raymund Lacson Well said.. Thanks Shen Shi’an Today...

This is one of the most soothing songs I’d ever heard, that is gentle while singing of strength. I read that it was ‘written to sooth a young child who had had a bad dream about being all alone and lost’. Many sought solace in it as it seems to sing about loss of a loved one...

Question: I’m helping to run a meditation group. Are there any ways to help create spiritual friendship within the group? Answer: You can try this… Get the group to practise metta (loving-kindness) meditation together, to radiate metta to one another and beyond to all beings, and...

A Dharma friend sent me this Youtube link on meditation. He felt that it’s a very good way to introduce Non-Buddhist friends to meditation, although ‘we all know the trainer uses Buddhist techniques’. I agree it’s skilful not to use Buddhist labels at first… lest...

‘A cheerfully likeable manifesto for lifestyle change.’ - Guardian ‘A liberating and wry take on the treadmill of modern life.’ - Daily Mail ‘Instructional and inspirational.’ - The Times Book blurb: For millions of years, humankind has used a brilliantly...

I became serious in my Pureland practice after attending classes and doing in-depth research into the subject. For a couple of years now, 24/7, I will try my best to be mindful of Amitabha Buddha whenever I have any free moments. At first, my intention was to train my mind to response with...

I came across the book ‘Eat Sleep Sit’ at Bugis Junctions’ Books Kinokuniy. Am not ashamed to say I was first attracted to the book by it’s Zennish design. With its title, it was enough to make me turn the hardcover book around to read its blurb. I would had bought the...

Last Sunday, I attended a refresher lesson on meditation. I was pleasantly surprised and reminded of the powerful benefits of simple meditation. Once again I was brought down to earth with the very basics – on how to breathe mindfully. Breathing is one of the most basic...

A friend remarked that in this Dharma-ending age, he was surprised that a recent Pureland retreat was not as well received by youngsters as meditation retreats. Most participants of the first are middle-aged and above. Pureland practice is often mistaken to be only for the old or dying, to be...

Not too hard or it would be painful Not to soft or it would be sagging Not too high or it would lift too much Not to low or it would not lift the butt Not too in or it would make you lean backwards Not too out or it would make you lean forwards Not too apathetic or it would be difficult to...