Category: Updated Resources

Ajahn Sucitto describes the connection between joy and samadhi in an article in which he makes clear that “through this process of bringing happiness into body and mind, the mind is naturally concentrated. That is samādhi.” So, concentration is fostered by joy, not the forceful exertion that many expect it to be. You can find… Continue reading Updated Resources for Meditation and Support

Gil Fronsdal provides a good introduction to calm and tranquility that you can find on the Insight Meditation Center website: Tranquility Jack Kornfield describes the relationship between tranquility and happiness in an article that you can find here: Happiness and Tranquility Sounds True has produced an e-book on the factors of awakening that is an… Continue reading Updated Resources for Meditation and Support

James Baraz has a short article on the role of joy in meditation practice that is clear and helpful. You can find that post here:  Practice as a Path of Happiness You can find a brief talk by Gil Fronsdal that examines the relationship between the hindrances and the factors of awakening. He also describes the relationship… Continue reading Updated Resources for Meditation and Support

Vanessa Zuisei Goddard has a brief introduction to energy and effort, including some good quotes. You can find her article here:  Pocket Paramis: Energy Susan Pollak discusses the tendency for people to hold their breath or breathe irregularly while texting, emailing, or generally being focused on their devices. She provides several suggestions that can help us to… Continue reading Updated Resources for Meditation and Support

Heidi Bourne provides a good introduction to energy as a factor of awakening, including a description of the four forms of effort described by the Buddha. You can find that article here: Energy & Effort, the Third Factor of Awakening, Part 1

Gil Fronsdal has a good introduction to investigation that you can find here: Investigation Santikaro, a western student and translator of the well-known Thai teacher Buddhadasa, has a detailed article on investigation that relates it to the practice of mindfulness of breathing. You can find that article here:  The Investigation of What is Important Tara Brach… Continue reading Updated Resources for Meditation and Support

Christina Feldman and Jaya Rudgard give a brief introduction to the factors of awakening that you can find here: Seven Factors of Awakening Explained. Gil Fronsdal shows how the factors of awakening are qualities that are already present within us, but that we can learn to appreciate them and strengthen them. You can find his article… Continue reading Updated Resources for Meditation and Support

Gil Fronsdal provides a good description of different forms of doubt, both as a hindrance and as an aid in our learning to see clearly. He also discusses useful approaches to respond to doubt when it is a hindrance. You can find his article here: Doubting Doubt: Practicing with the Final Hindrance. This article by Jack Kornfield provides… Continue reading Updated Resources for Meditation and Support

Gil Fronsdal provides a good discussion of the hindrance of restlessness and worry and the importance of working with it in order to settle the mind and see clearly. You can find his article here: The Hindrance of Restlessness and Worry. Another good article on restlessness and worry comes from the Bellingham Insight Meditation Society. You… Continue reading Updated Resources for Meditation and Support

Gil Fronsdal provides a good discussion of the hindrance of sleepiness and sluggishness, classically translated as “sloth and torpor.” He includes information on many of the causes of lethargy and ways that we can be aware of it and work with it. You can find his article here: The Hindrance of Sloth and Torpor