To free ourselves from habitual patterns, says Valerie Mason-John, we need to see how they have become part of our identity.
Watering the Seeds of Happiness
Not all habits are bad. Happiness is a habit too, says Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh. Here’s how you can make it grow.
A More Liberated You?
In our Weekend Reader newsletter, Rod Meade Sperry explores Buddhist wisdom for ditching negative habits.
Get to the Root of Your Patterns
Our basic problem, says Trudy Goodman, is ignoring the reality of impermanence. Being mindful in the moment, appreciating this flowing, interconnected life, we miraculously free ourselves from habitual patterns.
From Getting Mad to Going Shopping: What’s Your Pattern?
Buddhist teacher Sylvia Boorstein on 5 styles of habitual reaction—and how to find freedom from yours.
How We Get Hooked and How We Get Unhooked
Shenpa is the urge, the hook, that triggers our habitual tendency to close down. We get hooked in that moment of tightening when we reach for relief. To get unhooked we begin by recognizing that moment of unease and learn to relax in that moment.
Take Three Conscious Breaths
Photo by Eutah Mizushima.Pema Chödrön teaches us a simple technique we can use anytime we need a break from our habitual patterns.
Gaining Perspective on Habitual Patterns
When you’re caught in your habitual patterns, says Joan Sutherland, try not to fixate on your reactions. Instead cultivate awareness of everything that is happening in the moment.
It’s All Good
Everything is either wisdom or a distortion of wisdom, says Anne Carolyn Klein. Once we see this, we can relax and follow the path.
Take the Big View
Our habit is always to return to a small view of our experience. meditation trains us to return again and again to a larger view of our existence.