anatta (non-self)

To be a better person, stop trying to be a good person

Recently I've been realizing more and more that it's unhelpful to want to see yourself as a good person. That…

January 30, 2018

The key to a happier life is learning how to suffer better

One of the Buddha's key teachings — arguably the key teaching — is the four noble truths, which tell us…

January 14, 2018

The great mystery of being

Wildmind's online course, The Great Mystery of Being: A Practical Introduction to the Experience of Non-Self, begins on Wednesday, September…

September 18, 2017

Science and Buddhism agree: there is no “you” there

Lori Chandler, Big Think: Evan Thompson of the University of British Columbia has verified the Buddhist belief of anatta, or…

June 26, 2017

What is insight practice?

What is insight practice? Before answering that question, let’s back up a little and ask, “What is the Buddha’s teaching,…

December 1, 2015

Step seven: Making every effort to stay on the path of recovery

Once you think you’ve got recovery, you’ve lost your recovery. Because what is recovery? It is a path that can…

November 7, 2015

Taking the self out of self-compassion

One of the most interesting studies I’ve ever seen was by James Pennebaker, a University of Texas psychology professor, and…

October 29, 2015

Taking your hands off the controls

As living organisms anxious about our existence, we’re all naturally rigged to want to manage our lives with the goal…

April 8, 2015

“Not being able to govern events, I govern myself.” Montaigne

I've been depressed a few times in my life, but only once has it ever got so bad that I…

March 30, 2015

The holographic dinosaur; or, How fear is an illusion

You're walking down a busy shopping street, and you hear panicked screaming. You turn to see what the fuss is,…

December 20, 2014