When controversy is met by criticism what happens to free speech? As novelist Hilary Mantel speaks out at her treatment in the media, what do Buddhist teachings have to say about the ethics of communication? Thought for the Day 7/3.2014 A year ago Hilary Mantel, the...
The mindfulness movements show that, in our speedy, stressed out society ancient wisdom traditions are more relevant than ever The former Speaker, Bernard Weatherill once told a friend of mine that when the Commons was in uproar he groaned inwardly and then turned to...
Mindfulness practice is sometimes presented as a way of coping better with what society throws at us. But the implicit message is more radical and more political. What does mindfulness tell us about our society and how we might change it? The recent cover of Time...
The criticisms that can be legitimately levelled at Mindfulness Based Approaches boil down to a single issue: the entire mindfulness movement is based around eight-week courses. Teachers of secular mindfulness, along with others such as Buddhists, need to face this...
Some years ago I attended a Bearing Witness Retreat at Auschwitz concentration camp. It as a sobering, but deeply stirring experience. >When I announced I was going to do a retreat at Auschwitz, I met many responses. Some people were shocked, as if uttering...
In the Buddha’s world, nature and the wilderness were frightening threats. The early Buddhist texts show how he forged a new relationship with nature, opening the way for the beautiful nature poetry of his followers As the Discourses of the Pali Canon (our main...
