A psychological view of karma – part 3: Mental states
As we saw in A psychological view of karma (part 2), karma – which literally means ‘action’, but refers specifically to an intention or mental action – influences our life by creating mental tendencies that will affect the way we experience our life in the future. For example, if I act out of greed, in […]
A psychological view of karma – part 2: Karmic effects
As explained in a psychological view of karma (part 1), the Buddhist understanding of karmic actions entails some sort of intention. Therefore, as frequently misunderstood, our karma has more to do with the consequence of our past intentions than the result of our past deeds. But what about our karmic ‘effects’? Can an intention make us […]
A psychological view of karma – part 1: Karma as volition
Karma is becoming an increasingly popular term in the Western culture and language. However, for those who have not tried to comprehend deeply its meaning yet, this word may bear obscure and extramundane connotations, alluding to the folk belief of a personal retribution law according to the nature of one’s own actions. It is not […]
Meditation for people with learning disabilities
When I started working in Camphill, a community of adults with learning disabilities, I could not imagine that the residents would ask me to do meditation twice a day. However, it took me a while to find out the right way for engaging them in meditation. I first tried to impart the style of meditation […]
The spiritual roots of yoga
From children to elders, atheists to spiritual seekers and Indian saddhus to Western businessmen; in recent decades, yoga has gathered practitioners from all over the world regardless their age, nationality, religion, and background. While some prefer to practice yoga as a sport, others also want to drink from the spiritual source of this ancient Eastern […]
Being selfless: a direct way to fulfillment
In the Bhagavad Gita, Krishna says to Arjuna: ‘By devotion to selfless work one attains the supreme goal in life’. Give yourself a moment to think about this. Then ask yourself: when was the last time you did not expected anything from your actions? Can you recall the last time you have done something only […]
Walking barefoot: a direct way to reconnect with the Earth
This year, since the frosting season came to an end in early Spring, I tried to go for a barefoot walk every day. I immediately noticed an incredible difference compared to walking with shoes on. Actually, it made me wonder whether humanity has lost its connection with the Earth since we started to wear shoes […]
If you don’t live from love, you will be a slave of fear
There are people who struggle to be themselves, to live a life with integrity and in harmony with their own being. Others struggle not to get too close to themselves, not to face their fear, painful emotions and contradictory thoughts. If we seek comfort at any price, probably we will choose to be the second […]
What is ‘consciousness’? A question that will challenge your worldview
“Consciousness is the biggest mystery. It might be the largest outstanding obstacle in our quest for a scientific understanding of the universe.” David Chalmers Consciousness is one of the most familiar and at the same time one of the most mysterious phenomena in the universe. We are all familiarized with consciousness. Every day, when we […]
Smiling to autumn: how to welcome a change of seasons?
In this time of the year, some people who live in occidental countries may start to feel melancholic. The summer has arrived to its end, sometimes with a feeling of unfulfilled expectations, the autumn is here, and we find ourselves back again into the work or study routine, with its constant action demand, usually accompanied […]