Wise Attention Blog
Wise Attention includes 20 years of writing exploring 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
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.
The Buddha’s Significance Today
As Buddhists mark the Buddha’s Enlightenment, Vishvapani asks, what is his significance today?
Entering the Buddha’s Realm
The Buddha and his teaching are very down to earth, but his perspective also expresses is very strange and quite beyond anything we already know. This can also become a vivid element of our experience through the experience of liberation, particularly by breaking what Buddhism calls ‘the fetters’
Discussing Mindfulness in Parliament
The Wellbeing Economics All Party Parliamentary Group in the UK’s Westminster parliament had a meeting discussing mindfulness on 9th April 2014. Here’s a report
Rude Awakenings: Zen at War
Zen at War revealed to people in the West the extent of Buddhist collusion with the Japanese War Effort in WW2. This article explores the issue that raised with the book’s author, Brian Victoria
Interview with the Middle Way Society
In this interview I discuss the secular mindfulness movement, the relationship between the religious and the secular aspects of Buddhism, enlightenment, Jung and integration, the relationship of the Middle Way with the arts, incrementality and my views on karma and rebirth.
Religious Responses to Wilderness (Beyond Belief on BBC Radio 4)
I am one of three speakers on this BBC radio 4 discussion programme on the spiritual significance of wilderness. Here's the text from the bbc.co.uk: The Christian season of Lent is a time for...
Free Speech Means Listening, Too
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?
Mindfulness is more Relevant Than Ever
The mindfulness movement show that, in our speedy, stressed out society ancient wisdom traditions are more relevant than ever. Thought for the Day.
Mindfulness in Westminster on PM (BBC Radio 4 News)
Here is a clip of a news programme on PM, the BBC Radio 4 afternoon news programme describing the mindfulness courses that have been running in Westminster for MPs and Lords. ...
Mindfulness is Political
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?
You Can’t Change the Weather
Britain is being battered and much of Europe is being battered by storms. However much we dislike it, the truth is we can’t change the weather. Facing the raw power of the natural world shows us our vulnerability and challenges our inner resources. Weekend Word, BBC...
The Mental Battle is What Draws Us To Sport
As the Winter Olympics start in Sochi, Russia, what is the fascination of sport? Could it be the mental battle that echoes the challenges of our own lives? Thought for the Day