978: Stephen Batchelor: Simplifying Buddhism and the nature of Meditation (R)

Stephen Batchelor is a contemporary Buddhist teacher and writer, best known for his secular or agnostic approach to Buddhism. Stephen considers Buddhism to be a constantly evolving culture of awakening rather than a religious system based on immutable dogmas and beliefs. In particular, he regards the doctrines of karma and rebirth to be features of ancient Indian civilisation and not intrinsic to what the Buddha taught. Through his writings, translations and teaching, Stephen engages in a critical exploration of Buddhism's role in the modern world, which has earned him both condemnation as a heretic and praise as a reformer. I am honored and delighted to have him on ZEN commuter to help me understand Buddhism.

Thom WaltersMarch 5, 2018Comment

977: Don't Be Alarmed By These Sensations During Your Meditation

As a seasoned meditator, I sometimes forget about the sensations I experience in a session; sensations that may seem off-putting to a beginning meditator. One of them has to do with the perception of lights and patterns, and the other has to do with the inability to feel your hands or feet. Neither is anything to be alarmed of, as I will discuss today.

Thom WaltersMarch 1, 2018Comment

976: How Your Brain Changes with Meditation

One of the greatest misperceptions about meditation is that it is a spiritual practice with religious roots. There is a belief that when you meditate something otherworldly happens. As spiritual as I am, I also appreciate and understand that meditation has its roots in anatomy and physiology. Your brain changes when you meditate. It changes in very positive and discernible ways. Today, with the help of mindful.org, I will discuss how your brain changes with meditation.