Because racing thoughts will steal your peace of mind if you let them — There are five hindrances, according to Buddhist philosophy, that block wisdom. Each influences happiness and fosters suffering. You will reduce your karma and increase contentment if you purge or curtail them. We often become more sage-like when we examine our lives, particularly our thoughts and behaviors. When we recognize the…

If you’re sick and tired of holding a grudge, Buddhist philosophy might help. — Resenting somebody takes a lot of effort. What’s more, it steals your joy. While you dislike them, you feel heavy, sad, and angry. No one wants to experience these emotions long-term. They can make you ill and unhappy. …

Knowing your character flaws is the best way to learn how to cope with the failings of other people — Although I believe every soul is worthy and beautiful, it hasn’t escaped my notice that we all have character flaws. Whether we like it or not, we will meet people we find difficult on our path, and we have no choice but to deal with them. …

Sharing my nurturing secrets — I’ve known many givers in my lifetime. Most of them know how to take care of others but rarely afford themselves the same level of care. Some are parents, dashing around, taking care of their kids, maintaining a home and their relationships, and trying to make ends meet. They want…

These spiritual practices can help you regain your balance — You need not play baseball to encounter a curveball. It’s one of those unexpected events that leave you wondering what to do next or an act of deception that throws you off kilter. Your cat moves next door, or you fail an exam you thought you’d pass. …

An exploration of what it means to shift a step beyond the ordinary — As a kid, I recall gazing at the beauty of butterflies and flowers, breathing in the scent of damp earth and tree bark, and listening to nature’s beautiful sounds: the wind through tree branches, rain falling on the roof, and birds singing. Life, I acknowledged, was incredible. Yet, as I…

Here’s how I practice forest bathing — Picture this: you walk in the woods, breathing in the fresh air and enjoying dappled sunshine patterns dancing on the floor. Your stress declines, calmness washes over you like magic, and the day’s pressure lifts. You feel terrific. Know it or not, you’re practicing Shinrin-Yoku, the Japanese art of forest…

“Enlightenment means taking full responsibility for your life.” William Blake — Sometime in the last decade, I finally recognized what it meant to take “responsibility for your life.” I want to give you a rock-solid example of a distinct incident that revealed this truth. But my wisdom gently unfurled like a new leaf and was not the result of a specific…

Here’s a reminder — I’m lucky to have a great mom. She’s offered me plenty of smart advice over the years, from “you don’t have to kiss anyone if you don’t want to” (I was 12 at the time) to “go your own way.” When I’ve asked friends, many of them tell me their…