soft eyes

Try gentler, not harder

There's an old story that goes something like this. A young man wants to learn to be an expert swordsman.…

November 9, 2020

Let the breathing observe you

I'd like to suggest a very different way of meditating. Normally in meditation we think about observing the breathing. Actually…

December 5, 2017

The flashlight versus the candle: how to calm your mind, quickly and easily

We can use our attention in two ways: either as a flashlight or as a candle. Flashlight attention is where…

June 30, 2017

How to get into jhāna (or dhyāna, if you prefer Sanskrit)

I'd like to offer you a simple, four-step approach to cultivating jhāna. With a little practice and refinement, this approach…

June 17, 2011