Hi, I’m Bodhipaksa, and I set up Wildmind in 2001 with the help of several friends who offered me their time and technical support when I was a grad student with no financial resources at all. I’m a member of the Triratna Buddhist Order, I’ve been a practicing Buddhist since 1982, and I’ve been teaching meditation since the late 1980’s.
I’m the author of Wildmind: A Step-by-Step Guide to Meditation, a book called Living as a River, which explores the Buddhist teaching of not-self though a traditional reflection on interconnectedness called the Six Element Practice, and Vegetarianism: A Buddhist View, which is a book on Buddhism and the practice of vegetarianism. Additionally, I’ve written I Can’t Believe It’s Not Buddha! (a book on fake Buddha quotes), This Difficult Thing of Being Human (on self compassion), and A Year of Buddha’s Wisdom (which is a collection of daily readings, reflections, and meditation suggestions). I’m also the author of ten audiobooks of guided meditations.
In Oct 2012 gave a TEDx talk on compassion.
I was given the name Bodhipakṣa when I joined the Triratna Buddhist Order in 1993 (although at that time it was called the “Western Buddhist Order”). “Bodhi” means enlightenment and “paksha” (there’s a dot under the “s” which gives it a “sh” sound) means “wings.” So my name means “Wings of Enlightenment.”
I was born and brought up in Scotland, although I now live in the US. For three years, I was the director of Dhanakosa retreat center, in the Highlands of Scotland, and after that I ran the Edinburgh Buddhist center. For three years, I taught Buddhist meditation in the Religious Studies department at the University of Montana, before moving to New Hampshire.
I love teaching meditation. It’s had a tremendously positive effect on my own life, and I’ve seen it have an equally large effect on the lives of my students. Over and over again, students have told me how learning to meditate has changed their lives.
For many years I’ve been excited by the potential for bringing the benefits of meditation to millions of people over the Internet. That enthusiasm is what led to me setting up Wildmind.
Wildmind started as a project while I was completing a Masters degree in Montana. Supported by a grant from the American Council of Learned Societies, I worked with Dr. Alan Sponberg to develop an innovative Internet based meditation course for the University of Montana, and that experiment formed the basis of Wildmind.
I hope you find these materials useful, and I’d love to hear from you. Please feel free to drop me a line using the comment form below. If you want to write more privately use the “contact” link above — the message will get to me.
I also have a personal website where you’ll find links to all my publications, YouTube videos, etc., as well as information about the meditation coaching that I do. It’s at Bodhipaksa.com.
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Hi Robin,
I'm afraid I don't know of any programs like that.
All the best,
Bodhipaksa
Hi, Bodhipaksa. Just wanted to thank you for helping spread the word about my new book, WHEN IN DOUBT, MAKE BELIEF. I'm very heartened by the response this book is getting from the Buddhist community--especially because of the immense role that Buddhist mindfulness has played in my own battles with uncertainty.
Gratefully yours,
- jeff bell
http://www.BeyondTheDoubt.org
You're very welcome, Jeff. You're doing good work and I hope your book is reaching a wide audience.
All the best,
Bodhipaksa
Hi Bodhipaksa,
I have some questions on the Opening the Mind meditation. You talk about the fact that when you are intensely focusing on something the muscles tense etc. Is this based on research? I'd be very interested in any links you have on the subject. I think this might be part of what has caused chronic tension in me my whole life.
Hi Lisa,
It's just based on my experience of myself and of watching others. A lot of the physical tension that builds up in our bodies through normal day-to-day usage seems to be from "concentrating" in an unhelpful way. I'm afraid I don't have any articles to offer, although this page, for example, describes tension headaches as being "the product of tightening muscles caused by such things as emotional stress or physical straining."
Wonderful meditations. I'm new to the practice of meditation and very much appreciate your direct approach and omission of that pervasive ethereal hum one finds in so many guided meditations.
While I personally have fallen away from identification with Christianity, my wife is interested in raising our children within this theological framework. It's been through meditation that I'm beginning to reconcile my aversion to Western theological canon with the deeper spiritual meaning underlying the dogma. As I write this, there was a brief moment I touched on the potency of mindfulness in helping guide the spiritual path of my children. Thanks for the help.
I was quite surprised to see you had lived in Montana.
Best Regards
Bodhipaksa, Hello from Montana!
I discovered your excellent CDs on Amazon and then found the Wildmind web site and learned that you have spent time here in the Empire of Montana! I live in Anaconda - twenty miles north of Butte. I'm still fairly new to meditation - it was suggested by my pain management physician for help with my chronic back pain sustained on active duty in the military in 2006. I'm developing my meditation practice with the help of my husband of 18 years who is now the chief physician of correctional medicine at the state prison in Deer Lodge. We both are admirers of your work helping our inmates lead more satisfying lives.
I'm anxious to read your upcoming new book, and thanks for all you do at Wildmind.
Best,
Vienna
Thanks, Vienna! I must get back to Missoula sometime. I'm long overdue a visit there.
I wanted to tell you that I'm pretty sure that, after many years, I've finally stumbled across the right 'school' for me. I've always avoided being involved with the 'saffron robed, mala toting set' - not because I find anything wrong with it; that particular path has simply never been my 'cup of tea'. Although I have quite a few friends who have fully embraced the Tantric Buddhist path, and even family members who belong to a community (called 'Mandala', BTW), my own leanings have been towards a more western approach. Your 'Still the Mind' C.D. set has been a warm and beautiful introduction to what I know will become my own personal collection of valuable material - AND I'm going to immediately sign up for Wildmind Buddhism/meditation online course.
I'm quite isolated in that in 2004, after treatment for a rather deep seated brain tumour, I became physically disabled, (karma! lol) and don't feel comfortable meditating (in my wheelchair, with all the extra paraphernalia) in a group situation. To add, I live in a 'care' facility, so lone practising it has been for some time. But now I feel well guided by your fantastic site, courses, and C.D.s. (I've previously looked at the FPMT online courses, and although they seem to be very wonderful, they're too lengthy, too deep for my requirements).
With much gratitude
and good wishes
Dee
Hi Dee,
Thanks for your very kind comments. Where in Australia are you? I have a number of friends and students (not that those are mutually exclusive lists!) in Australia, and one or more of them may be able to get in touch with you. although you're not keen on a group situation, a friendly voice or face can really help our practice.
With all best wishes,
Bodhipaksa
Hi Bodhipaksa,
Thankyou for your kind reply. I'm a new resident of the Gold Coast in Queensland; I moved here to be closer to family. Previous to 'the tumour thing', when I was living in Adelaide, quite some years ago I had a bit of contact with 'Buddha House' (I did a few 'learn to meditate' courses, and some 'Medicine Buddha'.)
It would be wonderful to speak with someone 1/1,...not only concerning practice, but the philosophy of Buddhism, the history of, as well. Books, even the I/N are wonderful resources, but they CAN lack the more personal and immediate feedback that is so beneficial. And BTW, regarding the online courses, I was going to take level 2 (which sounded the MOST appealing to me), but it would be more prudent to start at the very beginning, and enrol for level 1, wouldn't it???!!! Yes....I think so!....I'll do them in order. (I answered my own question!!)
Many good wishes
thank you
Dee
Hi Dee,
I passed your email address on to a Buddhist in Brisbane (which I think isn't too far from you -- please excuse my ignorance of Australian geography) and hopefully you'll hear from someone there.
And it is funny how sometimes the effort to clarify a question ends up answering the question, isn't it? I've noticed that many times in my own life. It does go to show that ultimately we are our own most important teachers.
All the best,
Bodhipaksa