Category: Updated Resources

Shaila Catherine, the principal teacher of Insight Meditation South Bay, is one of the foremost teachers of samadhi, or concentration meditation in the West. She translates samadhi as concentration, the most common translation. Her website includes a good introduction to the meaning of concentration and ways in which to practice it and develop it. You… Continue reading

The “Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation” from Gil Fronsdal and the Insight Meditation Center provides a great introduction to mindfulness and the various ways we can apply mindfulness in meditation. Mindfulness is not just watching the breath, but a clear awareness of whatever arises, including bodily sensations, thoughts, and emotions. You can find the introduction here:… Continue reading

Sarah Doering was a practitioner, teacher, and supporter of Insight Meditation who had a significant impact on the Insight Meditation Society and several related meditation centers. She wrote an article on the five faculties that describes the way that the five faculties support one another. Her description of energy and effort give a good feeling… Continue reading

Gil Fronsdal provides a good introduction to the five faculties recommended by the Buddha. He describes each of the faculties and identifies them as skills that we can enhance through practice. You can find his article here: The Five Faculties A more in-depth examination of confidence and faith can be found in an article that… Continue reading

The Buddha’s teaching identified several characteristics associated with everything we experience. Those characteristics include impermanence and our sense of self. When we don’t see those clearly, we often experience stress and dissatisfaction. Sean Oakes, a teacher at Spirit Rock, describes the three characteristics of conditioned experience. He also offers some suggestions for practicing with them,… Continue reading

One area of the Buddha’s teaching describes the set of processes that we often identify with as the self. Known as the aggregates or skandhas, these five processes include the physical processes of the body as well as several mental processes. Gaylon Ferguson unpacks each of these processes and attempts to show why identifying with… Continue reading

The Buddha’s teachings on non-self are considered to be some of the most important for finding liberation from the distress we can experience in life, but also some of the most difficult to understand. Gil Fronsdal provides a brief introduction to the teachings on non-self and their connection to freedom from suffering. You can find… Continue reading

The human experience of uncertainty and groundlessness play a central role in most of the teachings of Pema Chodron. She is quite clear that there’s no cure for impermanence or uncertainty, they are a part of life we can’t escape. However, she provides many approaches to learning to be more at ease with uncertainty. This… Continue reading

Scott Tusa is a teacher in the Tibetan tradition. He posted an article on impermanence that takes a broad look at the truth of impermanence and change. He includes ideas for noticing impermanence more clearly, in meditation and daily life. You can find his article here: Understanding Impermanence Gil Fronsdal discusses the relationship between impermanence… Continue reading

Kaira Jewel Lingo, a student of Thich Nhat Hanh, emphasizes the inclusiveness of equanimity, the ability to include many perspectives, to stand firm, and at the same time not take sides. You can find her article here: How Equanimity Powers Love Narayan Liebenson discusses equanimity as a response to the Eight Worldly Winds, four pairs… Continue reading