- Do All Religions Lead to the Same Goal?
Do all systems of spiritual practice lead to the same place? Are they all essentially identical? This is a view that's come to be known as "perennial philosophy" or "universalism". I'll consider what the Buddha had to say about such…
- Can Practicing Kindness Bring Us to Nirvana? One Professor's Controversial Claim
Several years ago the eminent scholar and professor Richard Gombrich put forward a controversial thesis: that the Buddha believed practicing kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity could lead us directly to enlightenment. We…
- Equanimity Meditation: Last of the Brahmaviharas
In this video we will look at the meditation practice of equanimity in the Brahmavihāras or so-called abodes of the gods. We will begin with a look at what equanimity means in early Buddhism, and its importance. We will turn to a couple…
- Sympathetic Joy Meditation: Third of the Brahmaviharas
The practice of sympathetic joy is the third of the so-called Brahmavihāras or abodes of the gods. We will discuss what it entails, why we should practice it, and look at three different approaches to such a practice in the Buddhist…
- Compassion Meditation: Second of the Brahmaviharas
Compassion is the second of the four Brahmavihāras, or skillful emotional states. We will consider three forms of compassion meditation practice, from the early and later traditions. We will also look at its history in Buddhism, and…
- Lovingkindness Meditation: First of the Brahmaviharas
We'll look at the development of lovingkindness meditation practice beginning with its roots in early Buddhism and then at a couple of later practice techniques. We'll consider how the practices differ, and how they developed over time,…
- Cultivating Healthy Emotions: Intro to Brahmavihara Meditation
Today's video looks at the meditation practice of the Brahmavihāras or "abodes of Brahma". This practice is to cultivate four emotions key to a healthy and skillful approach to the world. We will introduce these four emotions, what they…