Children see everything as new, everything is mysterious and they're curious. Adults jump to conclusions, and we're certain, and we already know everything. So to get back to that childlike wonder, we have to focus on the cause of that, which is our comparative mindset. We compare this moment to the last. We compare this thing to the same thing we saw yesterday. But every moment is different. The light…
Nature can be our greatest teacher if we learn how to listen correctly. It can teach us patience, its beauty can inspire, and we can understand its (and ours) nurturing, loving way. We don't have to go off and meditate in a cave for 30 years to become aware of our place in the cosmos, either. Our nature, our true nature beyond all our societal programming and upbringing, can be seen…
There are no wrong turns on your path if your intuition and instincts are your guides. Be careful about letting others take away your inner voice and your inner power. This path is about liberation and freedom, not freeing ourselves from our own ego only for it to be replaced by someone else’s ego. No enlightened being would charge huge sums of money for their “secret.” Retreats in beautiful places will…
1. Consistency is key. Like exercise, it doesn’t matter if you used to be fit, you have to stay fit. On days when I am very busy or traveling, I will find times to fit in my meditation, even if I have to break it up through the day or wake up extra early.2. I find an hour in the morning sets me up for a great day, and an…
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…
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…
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…
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 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…
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…
If something here helped you feel less alone, would you help me keep it alive?
Even the smallest support matters.
Weekly Writings from the Desk of Todd Perelmuter
