Wise Attention Blog
The writing on this site explores what it means to practice Buddhism, mindfulness and ethics in the modern world. You'll find reviews, , talks, interviews, broadcasts and reflection on the arts as well as reflections on the Buddha and Buddhist teachings
Thought for the Day
Arts
Buddhism in the Modern World
Book Reviews
Greek Buddha
What if the Greek philosopher who travelled to India with Alexander the Great had become a monastic practitioner and taught Buddhism to the Greeks, thus offering dramatic new evidence of the true character of Early Buddhism. Do the claims of ‘Greek Buddha’ stack up?
The Dharma of Children’s Wellbeing
When English children are asked how they feel, they’re less happy than children in Ethiopia and Algeria. How can Buddhist ideas of mindfulness and skilful action help young people?
Life After Shopping
As London prepares for 24-hour tube services and the way opens for 7-day shopping, how much commerce do we really need and what’s it doing to us?
The Refugee Crisis
There have never been more refugees. How can we respond to the crisis?
The Sleep Book: Review
It’s true that Buddhism is about waking up, but this book using mindfulness approaches to address sleeping problems is a clear, thoughtful and practical application of sound principles
The Buddha on Wall Street
What does Buddhism have to say about our society and how can it become a force for changing it? Book review of The Buddha on Wall Street: What’s Wrong with Capitalism and What We Can Do about It by Vaddhaka Linn
Mindfulness and Mental Health
This year’s Mental Health Awareness Week focuses on mindfulness. What’s the connection between an ancient Buddhist practice and modern mental health needs?
Responding With Compassion
We often turn away from the suffering around us or in the news. But, following the Nepalese earthquake, what happens when we open up?
Living With Change
Everything changes all the time. Here are some practices that can help us confront that and engage with it creatively
Service is Worth More than Money
Public fury at politicians are on the make shows that we want them to serve, not profit. Thats an inkling of the Buddhist practice of dedicating one’s whole life to serving all beings
Remembering Marshall Rosenberg
Marshall Rosenberg died on Saturday 7 February, 2015. He was the originator of Nonviolent Communication, a creative approach that is used in education, conflict resolution and mediation. In 2002 Vishvapani met him to discuss his work to promote tolerance and understanding worldwide
Restoring Criminal Justice
Our Criminal Justice System is under pressure and failing to stop reoffending. As Vishvapani is learning through working in this field, mindfulness and Buddhist principles offer the basis of an alternative approach
Professionalising Mindfulness
Mindfulness teaching is becoming a profession. As interest grows exponentially, much is being asked of a grass-roots movement. How can mindfulness teaching retain its integrity, avoid the pitfalls of professionalisation?
Launch of Mindful Nation UK : Interim Report of the Mindfulness All Party Parliamentary Group (MAPPG)
The Mindfulness All Party Parliamentary Group (MAPPG) launched its interim report in the UK’s Westminster parliament, proposing how public policy can help make us a more ‘Mindful Nation’.
Appreciating Vajraloka
Vajraloka Meditation Retreat Centre is a wonderful resource for anyone who wants to meditate in beautiful and deeply tranquil surroundings. Little known outside The Triratna Buddhist Community, Vajraloka is one of the UK’s longest-established Buddhist retreat centres.
Vishvapani
I live in Cardiff, UK, with my wife and son and most of my work as a teacher and writer is focused on Buddhism and mindfulness. I discovered meditation and Buddhism when I was 14 and became a Buddhist soon after. My Buddhist practice since 1980 has been focused on the Triratna Buddhist Order and I became a member of the Order in 1992.
The Pakistan Massacre and the Spiral of Violence
What are the ultimate causes of the Pakistan school massacre, and how can we how can we stop violence proliferating – in our minds and in the world?
The Mindfulness Initiative & the Mindfulness All Party Parliamentary Group
The Mindfulness Initiative & the Mindfulness All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG). How mindfulness can benefit British society, and how public policy can support its development
Kisagotami
Kisagotami lost her child and went mad. The Buddha’s skilful teaching helped her see a wider truth
The Obesity Crisis: What are the Roots of Good Health?
The UK faces an obesity crisis. But what are the underlying causes of poor health and what conduces to flourishing?
Execution Videos: the Medium and the Message
Following the execution of journalist James Foley by ISIS the video was posted online. Foley is the victim, but not the target. We are. The horror and revulsion most of us naturally feel at these images has been calculated and prompted. How can we engage responsibly with the world of images?
When We Suffer We Need Calm, Perspective and Kind Words
In the wake of Robin Williams’ suicide, we’re talking more about mental illness and distress. Here’s how mindfulness can help in working with difficult mental states.
Playing is a Serious Business
Play is important for children and adults too. What would it be like if everything you did felt like play?
Sexual Abuse is Society’s Shadow
Stories of sexual abuse are everywhere in British life. We need to do more than condemn this behaviour. We must acknowledge it as the shadow side our society
The Healthcare Crisis is a Spiritual Challenge
More of us are living longer with longterm health conditions. The healthcare crisis is a challenge for our society and discussion needs to move beyond politics. We need a vision of life that looks beyond our personal interests and struggles and values community
Suffering and Compassion
The world is full of suffering. The times are troubled. How can we respond with wisdom and compassion to our struggles, other people’s and the world’s?
All Things Considered: Mindfulness (BBC Radio Wales)
Discussion programme on mindfulness & religion on BBC Radio Wales with Vishvapani, Rebecca Crane, Father Roger Dawson & Baroness Ilora Finlay
Discipleship and its Discontents
In recent years Sangharakshita, the teacher and founder of the Triratna Buddhist Order has restated the importance of discipleship. But what does it means to be a disciple – in general and in relation to Sangharakshita in particular? How can we acknowledge squarely the difficulties this relationship can contain?
Eye on Wales: on Mindfulness
This 30 minute current affairs programme explores mindfulness, featuring Vishvapani and two of his former students
Discussing Mindfulness on Radio Wales
This is an appearance on the Tom Price Show on BBC Radio Wales discussing mindfulness: kind of fun.