April 2008 Issue: "Purification"

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Online Classes Now Registering

Want to learn to calm your mind but find that you're too busy to make it to a class?

Wildmind offers four-week online courses suitable for complete beginners to experienced practitioners. Guided by an experienced teacher, these classes offer an opportunity to learn with others from around the world.

All of our courses offer a content-rich, interactive experience -- with online readings, guided meditations in MP3 format, and a teacher-moderated discussion forum -- all available 24/7.

Click here to learn more about our online courses

NEW Starting April 7 : The Open Circle

If you've been looking for the support and encouragement of a community of like-minded spiritual practitioners, the Open Circle may be just right for you.

The Open Circle is an ongoing discussion forum in which you can explore Buddhist teachings and apply them in your life.

Part on-line book club, part course in Buddhism, Open Circle provides an opportunity to explore key Buddhist concepts and be guided through reflections and activities designed to integrate them into your life.

What are the topics for discussion and practice?

To begin with the discussions and activities will be based on an exploration of the the very accessible book Buddhism: Tools for Living Your Life, by Vajragupta.

The focus of the Open Circle is on practice and discussion rather than simply study.

Each week we will read and discuss a short section of the book, and take the principles and practices being covered into our daily lives.

The Open Circle starts April 7, but you can join at any time.

Click here to read more

Quote of the Month

"Purity of heart is to will one thing."
-Soren Kierkegaard

How do we find inner peace? How do we learn to overcome inner conflict? What is the guiding principle of our lives? Bodhipaksa takes a saying by the 19th century Danish theologian and philosopher, Kierkegaard, and looks at the Buddhist perspective on "willing one thing."

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Book Review

"The Meditator's Atlas:A Roadmap of the Inner World" by Matthew Flickstein

Tejananda, long-term Buddhist practitioner and meditation teacher, follows The Meditator’s Atlas on a spiritual road trip to purification.

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On Practice

The purity of no-self

Guest blogger Justin Whitaker looks at what the term "purification" ultimately means in Buddhist practice.

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Original faces: Reflections on Purification

Saccanama has heard Vajrasattva’s bell calling him to realize his own innate purity, and is on a return journey to reconnect with his own stainless nature.

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Anxiety, depression, anger... Paths to purification?

Sunada shows how our negative emotions can turn out to be our teachers.

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Guest article by Vajradaka

Encounter in the Vortex

Vajradaka looks back on a meeting in a smoky Jazz club and explores the mystery of empathetic communication between artist and audience.

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Ask Auntie Suvanna

This month our resident advice columnist Auntie Suvanna helps a perplexed Canadian who can't quite imagine how to develop lovingkindness for Dick Cheney and the rest of the neo-conservative crew.

Check out Auntie Suvanna's new column, and tell her your troubles.

Meditation in the News:
Top Five Stories of Last Month

We've recently integrated our news database into our regular blog. We hope that you like the new arrangement as much as we do.

• Holy Man: What Does the Dalai Lama Stand For?
• As a scientist I used to think meditation was hokum. Not any more!
• Meditation Can Lower Blood Pressure, Study Shows
• Unrest as Tibetan protests spread
• Buddhists Meet Mind Scientists in Conference on Meditation and Depression