Siddhattha Gotama (the Buddha) was a seriously smart dude. He didn't have access to research facilities, neuroimaging technology, psychotherapeutic training or the DSM (the manual for diagnosing mental disorders). He achieved penetrating insight into what it means to be a human, out of sheer, singular attention. The incredible insights he gained from his awakening were the fruits of profound noticing! Gotama noticed that there were two essential elements of growth towards aw

On New Year's Day I didn't leave the house. I didn't even get out of my pyjamas. I had an overwhelming desire to go nowhere, see no-one and do nothing, to retreat into my cave, my home. I stayed in bed until midday, reading, then spent the next two weeks doing....whatever. In hindsight, the batteries had been depleting for a while. I have several partly written emails to you for example, that I just couldn't bring myself to finish. I usually enjoy writing to you. It shouldn't

I've just come back from a little trip to Tokyo to watch the World Athletics Championships, which was great fun. My last visit was over...

I've been living away from home the past few months, in Cairns. I often flee up there this time of year as the winter weather is divine...

The internet is saturated with influencers promising to lead the way to being the best version of you or living your best life. But what...

You’ve just settled into your favourite café with a good friend. Your brew of choice is on its way and you’re catching up on each other’s...

This was the opening subject of a recent interview I did on a new vodcast called Redefining Wisdom. The pod was started by a young man...

That's probably not a question you get asked often. But it's a worthy one. In Buddhist circles, which dominate in South East Asia,...

Do you meditate? If so, why? And what do you consider to be a good meditation? If not, have you considered it? If yes, what’s motivating...

I'm not a big fan of the wellness industry. The value-chain seems to be: pay me money and I’ll make you feel good - fast (ten minutes to transform yourself?! Really?!)   Add a charismatic, good-looking person and some vague, lofty-sounding spiritual talk, and you have people feeling wonderful. In and of itself, that’s not a problem – feeling wonderful is....wonderful!   But there are three key issues I have with t his. PLEASANT FEELINGS CAN BE MONETISED The first is that, bec

Golly! It's over two months since I started sharing with you my new learning on the engine room of our experience: attention . My own...

Writing my NY Reflections before the fireworks For the past decade, on New Year's Eve, my husband and I have engaged in a ritual - our...