Neutral Feeling as an Entry Point to Not-Self

Intensely pleasurable contacts often trigger desire and grasping. That reaction creates tension and solidifies a sense of a “me” having this contact. Neutral feeling, though, offers an opening to a radically different experience, to equanimity, peace, and seeing that...

Idle Speech and the Role of Inner Silence in Awakening

Idle speech appears at the end of Right Speech. To the uninformed observer, mentioning pointless conversations can seem like a throwaway category, an insignificant one at that and only tagged on for good measure. That would be a grave misunderstanding. What we allow...

The Magic Wand of Disidentification

Over time, the habit of recognizing and releasing deluded and obsessive thoughts has the power to return the mind to its natural state of clarity, contentment, peace, and inherent wellness.

The Enjoyable

In Samyutta Nikkaya 22:27 the Buddha speaks candidly about his meticulous and exhaustive investigation into the many enjoyable things about body and mind. He then sets out with equal determination and scrupulousness to uncover the drawbacks and perils of delicious...