Satya Robyn, Harry Um, and Valerie Brown discuss the “positive” and “negative” focuses of Buddhist practice.
Ask the Teachers: Is happiness really the central goal of Buddhist practice?
Anushka Fernandopulle, Ven. Thubten Chodron, and Kaira Jewel Lingo discuss the real meaning of “happiness” in Buddhism.
Ask The Teachers: How do you work with doubt?
Sometimes when I teach I feel like I’m pretending to be someone I’m not because I see where I fail to live up to these precious teachings. I begin to doubt.
Ask the Teachers: When Do I Know Enough?
Rev. angel Kyodo williams, Jyoshin Clay, and Kwan Haeng Sunim discuss the Zen concept of “don’t know mind.”
How does a meditator deal with episodes of major depression?
The teachers are asked how a meditator deals with episodes of depression.
Ask the Teachers: What is the Buddhist view of hope?
Oren Jay Sofer, Sister Clear Grace, and Ayya Yeshe look at the meaning of hope in Buddhism and what it means in today’s world.
Ask the Teachers: What kinds of personal changes can we reasonably expect from Buddhist practice?
Sebene Selassie, Rose Taylor Goldfield, and Guo Gu respond to the question “It seems that Buddhists are just as reactive and narcissistic as anyone else. What kinds of changes can we reasonably expect from Buddhist practice?”
Ask the Teachers: As a Buddhist, should I support the pro-choice view on abortion?
Pictured: Zenkei Blanche Hartman, Narayan Helen Liebenson, Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche. Photos by Barbara Wenger, Janine Guldener, Mary Lang.Three teachers respond to the question: How would you counsel someone who is considering getting an abortion?
What does ‘dedicating merit’ really do?
Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo, photo via DGL nunnery. Nikki Mirghafori, photo courtesy Spirit Rock Meditation Center. Gyokei Yokoyama, photo courtesy the author.Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo, Nikki Mirghafori, and Gyokei Yokoyama answer the question: “We are encouraged to dedicate the merit of our practice to all beings. It’s a beautiful idea, but what effect, if any, does it really have? And can you offer something you’re not sure you even have?”
Ask the Teachers: Are there types of work that are incompatible with Buddhist practice?
From left: Konda Mason, photo by Scott R. Kline. Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel, photo by Bronya Agasto. José Shinzan Palma, photo by Joan Halifax.Konda Mason, Elizabeth Mattis Namgyel, and José Shinzan Palma discuss the difficulty of aligning our work lives with our Buddhist values.