mindfulness

Dual vs. Non-Dual Mindfulness: Understanding Bodhicitta

Q: Dear Todd, can you explain the dual and non-dual aspects of mindfulness, especially in relation to experiencing both ultimate and relative bodhicitta?TODD ANSWERS: Using the mind intentionally and consciously is exactly what it was designed for. When we are fully mindful and present, we become one with our surroundings and our conscious awareness expands beyond ourselves. So, I think it is really non dualistichttps://youtu.be/unm8ROYfrmU These 5 Minutes Could Shift…

3 incredible opportunities for deep meditation every day

Happy 4th of July to all who celebrate!Every year, I think about the inner freedom America’s Founding Fathers displayed when they envisioned a new form of government built on the ideals of liberty and equality. They first threw off the shackles of tyranny in their own minds so their creative spirit could imagine a better way forward. The conditions of political freedom were not prerequisites for their flourishing. In fact, it…

Do Video Games Count For Being in the Present Moment?

It’s not hard to see parallels between meditating and playing video games. Both activities force participants to step out of their head, to temporarily forget their mind-made illusory self, and to become free from thoughts and worries.But there are also some key differences between meditation and video games, which I will get into in this article.Do Video Games Count as MeditationGaming, swimming, running, rock climbing, making art, dancing and watching…

When the Present Moment Becomes Boring

From Path to Peace With Todd Perelmuter Newsletter Weekly Writings from the Desk of Todd Perelmuter Boredom may feel like a natural emotion or viewpoint, but nothing could be further from the truth. Boredom is born out of a resistance to the present moment. It is not a natural state to be bored. Boredom does not naturally arise out of a beautifully still, silent moment. Has any wild animal ever…

Is Meditation about Suppressing Thoughts?

Is mindfulness about controlling our thoughts or suppressing them? What even is the difference? Are they even possible things to achieve? Are they even worthy of us trying? In today's episode, I lay out the differences between these two approaches to dealing with our thoughts. But more importantly, I describe a third option for approaching our thoughts that is actually easy and way more effective for generating lasting happiness and…

8 Reasons Why You Need to Meditate Right Now

Have you ever noticed how in life, all pleasurable experiences are temporary? Have you ever noticed the futile effort we make to prolong happy experiences, and yet they are always followed by more longing and craving for those same good times? This may be why meditation is making a comeback. So just what are the benefits to meditation?It seems we spend our whole lives seeking pleasure and avoiding pain as…

Digital Detox: How to Manage Smartphone-Induced Stress

Smartphones are like refrigerators on steroids. Remember the old days? We’d go to the fridge, open the door, and be so overwhelmed with all of the stuff inside that we forgot why we went to the fridge in the first place. Who hasn’t spent 5 minutes staring at the inside of a fridge, completely lost in a daze?With smartphones, instead of 30 food items we have 50 notifications, 60 apps,…

How to Observe Your Thoughts (2 Ways)

We hear the phrase, "Observe your thoughts,"  but how do we observe our thoughts? What does it mean to observe our thoughts? Aren't we always observing our thoughts? And what the heck are thoughts?!Normally, we don't watch our thoughts, we think our thoughts. And we think, "I am the thinker." In spirituality, we dig down deeper. We recognize thought patterns and we observe how the mind really works. We discover…

How Do I Know I Need Meditation?

“The greatest relationship we’ll ever have is with ourselves, yet so many people don’t take the time to know what makes them truly happy.” – Todd PerelmuterWelcome to the first step on the path to peace. Before you can heal thyself, you must know thyself. Once you finish this short quiz, you’ll be able to achieve the following:Know yourself better.Know where you are.Discover where you want to be.Understand how to…

Can Meditation Help Fight Depression?

There are many more questions that envelope the idea behind meditation and spirituality. But one of the major questions that everyone asks is can meditation help fight depression? Depression is one of the most common yet most debilitating forms of mental illnesses a majority of us are suffering from today.The idea is that with meditation, you can begin your journey towards healing from this demon of depression. But what is…