December 2008 Issue: Spiritual materialism

Welcome to Wildmind's latest monthly meditation newsletter. You're receiving this email because you subscribed to our newsletter mailing list. You may unsubscribe at any time by following the instructions at the end of this email.

Online Classes Now Registering

	Get support and guidance from an experienced meditation teacher when you take an online meditation course.
	Experience the convenience of learning meditation at home, with 24/7 access.
	Develop greater peace of mind with the help of our online readings and MP3 meditations.
	Connect with others in our discussion forum.
	Click here to learn more about our online courses

New ways to keep in touch!

1. We have a Twitter feed, which will deliver tweets right into your Twitter in-box each time we post an article.

2. You can get emails sent daily to your mailbox containing all the new articles that have been posted on our blog. The emails come courtesy of Feedblitz, and you can sign up from the form at the top of our sidebar.

On Practice

Dharma on zero dollars a day
by Walker Douglas

In a time of global financial meltdown, it may be wise to consider that many of the best things in life are indeed free, including self-awareness, happiness, and the freedom to explore one's own experience. Bodhipaksa shares some reflections from a former monk.

Click here to read more

Bid for freedom
by Vishvapani

Is it possible to combine spiritual practice with professional poker, to remain detached and equanimous in the midst of a game full of bluffing, and where the aim is to take away other people's money? In 2005 Vishvapani talked this over with Andrew Black, one of the world's finest poker players — and a devout Buddhist.

Click here to read more

Goals in the spiritual life
by Sunada

Are spiritual goals dangerous triggers for grasping and selfish desire? Do we need to let go of goals in order to be truly free and happy? Sunada doesn't think so. She argues that it's not the goals themselves that are the problem, but how we approach them.

Click here to read more

Is your meditation smoking?
by Bodhipaksa

Is your meditation smoking? Or is smoking your meditation? Bodhipaksa shares an anecdote about smoking and meditation, and explores the difference between meditation as a sitting practice and meditation as an attitude towards ordinary activity.

Click here to read more

Quote of the Month

"Any so-called material thing that you want is merely a symbol: you want it not for itself, but because it will content your spirit for the moment."
- Mark Twain

Everyone is prey to distractedness, to seeing solace in activity as an escape from experiencing ourselves. In fact this is one of the major obstacles to a meaningful life. Bodhipaksa argues, however, that the force underlying our distractedness is a creative one, and that properly channeled it can take us all the way to enlightenment.

Click here to read more

Connect with other practitioners in The Open Circle

About 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.

Free Trial of the Open Circle

And we're offering a limited number of no-strings, free, two-week trials. These are available on a first-come, first-served basis. If you're interested, just reply to this email expressing your interest.

Click here to read more

Meditation in the News: Top Five Stories of the Past Month

Each month we bring you the media buzz on meditation.

• Top UBC psychologist uncovers roots of religion - and himself
• Vanderbilt neuroscience research featured at annual conference
• Raisin consciousness pits meditation against depressive spiral
• Man's midlife crisis a hard walk
• China Falun Gong follower receives 3-year sentence