Even when it seems that life is going great and we have the conditions we’ve sought, we still may feel like something’s missing. Happiness is a state of mind based on inner peace, and external circumstances cannot provide lasting fulfillment or eliminate negative minds.

We may mistake attachment as love. According to Buddhist view, love is wishing others to be happy, while attachment focuses on us – believing that an external object, experience, person is an inherent source of happiness. JoAnn Fox delves into the distinctions and leads a meditation.

Encountering some challenging or sensitive conversations at holiday gatherings? In our polarized society, speech can become weaponized, with negative results. But Buddhist view offers guidance to skillfully navigate such situations.

I read that more than 2,500 meditation apps have been launched in the past 10 years. From a Buddhist perspective it’s good to discern if your practice is transforming your mind from painful states to one characterized by peacefulness, connection, love and wisdom.

The holiday season can also be a season of indulgence. It’s a time when we should remember the importance of self-awareness and discipline to help ensure our actions will benefit ourself and others. Here’s a thoughtful piece by Kassidy Evans.

Wishing you a lovely day...and may you advance in your aspirations.

Happy Thanksgiving! In the midst of the ups and downs in life, we have the potential to continually see the kindness of others and develop a feeling of gratitude toward them. Everything we benefit from in life is thanks to the kindness of others, whether we know them or not.

We desire and cherish countless things. But everything pales in comparison to the precious human life we now have. Keeping that always in mind, we can appreciate every day and make the most of it.

We can carefully investigate what actions of body, speech and mind result in minds of happiness or unhappiness. And this will prompt the wish to reduce and eliminate those minds, such as anger or attachment, that result in suffering.

Started the buddhistyou posts on Bluesky one year ago. Much love to all of you...

Good story about a Kalachakra empowerment recently held in Bhutan. It includes a very clear explanation of tantric practice, which is often misunderstood. Any thoughts from fellow tantric practitioners? My primary tantric practice is that of Buddha Heruka.

For your weekend viewing pleasure: "Our World: Return to Zanskar." The documentary follows two travelers who are returning after 30 years to this region lost in time. It looks at the unique Buddhist culture of Zanskar and how the locals are dealing with change.

Got blessings? You know – those times when our mind shifts from a negative to positive state, from disturbed to peaceful, etc. According to Buddhist view, we’re tuning into the inspiration of holy beings who bestow them. Luna Kadampa explains…

Samsara...

The mind of love is the way to heal our broken world, & the process begins with each of us. Meditating on metta (lovingkindness) has tremendous benefits for our self & others. It embodies the Buddhist view that hatred can only be conquered by cherishing others. Arisika Razak explains the practice.

For Buddhists, things may not always seem what they are – particularly for those who are familiar with & meditate on emptiness. Indeed, freedom from suffering is directly linked to a direct realization of emptiness. This story looks at how skepticism is valuable in our age of questionable AI.

What’s your connection with other living beings? If we have taken countless rebirths, we have had countless mothers. Where are they today? They are all the living beings in our world. We exist in a web of connectedness with all…

More on BuddhaBot, which I first shared in May. Call me old fashioned, but am I the only one who finds this a bit disconcerting. Perhaps it’s my skepticism of the information AI often serves up. What do you think?

“Lighten up!” That’s the view/mantra that the late singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen embraced after his experience as a Buddhist monk living at a Zen monastery in California.

Every day, every hour, every moment, our mind & attitude shape our experience. We can change it all by changing our mind. For example, we mentally deny aging & what it holds – even though the moment we’re born, death is the endgame. Gen Devi discusses the wisdom beyond fear.

Buddhist view and a paradigm shift to address global climate change: the crisis is not just an environmental or political failure, it is a moral and spiritual one.

Happy Saturday!

What expectations do we have for our meditations? Many think meditation is all about the absence of thought, when it’s actually about quieting the mind and/or focusing on a positive object so that our natural peaceful mind can arise. Enjoy this guided meditation with Henry Shukman.

A new study from a psychologist at the University of Manchester suggests that Buddhist wisdom could be employed to help address modern social and emotional challenges – both on individual and societal levels.

Life is about relationships, but how do they lead to a happier mind? Happiness arises from virtuous minds, like love, compassion, kindness, etc. And when we generate them, we relate to others in meaningful ways that result in true happiness. We learn to cherish others. Kadam Morten explains…

We often feel that external conditions and circumstances determine our happiness. But in actuality, the mind is the source of our happiness and suffering. And we have the opportunity to cultivate greater happiness and peace. Enjoy a guided meditation with Ven. Thubten Chodron.

Remembering John Lennon on this Sunday…so let’s tune in to “Instant Karma.” And remember that our actions of body, speech or mind, positive and negative, give rise to corresponding results.

Shantideva said: “All the happiness there is in this world arises from wishing others to be happy.” Cherishing others is the ultimate win-win. The mind that cherishes all living beings protects oneself and others from suffering, brings pure happiness, and fulfills the wishes of oneself and others.

An international meeting to promote peace and sustainability? Yup, it took place in Southeast Asia: the third Cambodia – Laos – Vietnam Buddhist Summit held in Phnom Penh earlier this week, focusing promotion of Buddhist harmony to advance these aspirations.

Many regard meditation solely as a way to chill, to quiet the mind. But meditation and integrating Buddhist view and realizations in daily life can have other profound benefits. Entrepreneur and author Len Foley discusses insights on the difference it has made.

56 years ago last week, Jack Kerouac—the great writer & beat icon who introduced many to Buddhism in the US in the 1950s—died. I recently reread “On the Road” (3rd or 4th time) and it still resonates, an energetic and timeless journey packed with Buddhist themes.

Not just Josh...

For your weekend viewing pleasure: The Medicine Buddha, a portrait of Mongolian Buddhist leader Khamba Lama Natsagdoj narrated by Ben Kingsley.

Seem like our culture has weaponized karma? It’s generally referenced for what will befall individuals we don’t like. But it works both ways, negative & positive. When certain seeds—actions of body, speech or mind—are planted & certain causes & conditions come together, a result will arise.

Richard Gere discusses the search for happiness, his journey on the Buddhist path and the new documentary he produced about the Dalai Lama, “Wisdom of Happiness.”

What is true love? Quite often, it’s actually attachment and can result in unhappiness. But then there’s affectionate love: From the depths of our heart, without attachment, we feel very close, warm and happy toward someone. Gen-la Khyenrab discusses this beautiful mind that benefits all.

We’re all challenged by problems – but where do they actually come from? The principal causes of both happiness and problems are in the mind, and we have the opportunity to transform them. Kadam Lucy James explains.

We hear about mindfulness everywhere these days; it’s entered the mainstream, with loads of hype and mass marketing. While there are clear benefits, the practice is just a small part within the larger context of Buddhism and meditation. Pierce Saluero, a professor at Penn State, discusses the issue.