Life is filled with vices, things which attempt to bind us to unwholesome ways of living and therefore do the very opposite of cultivating peace, joy, and greater realization in our lives.

The easiest way to sum up all “spiritual” practice is this: spirituality is the act of coming in touch with the ultimate reality or the ground of being, and as a result, spiritual practice is the act of overcoming those obstacles which keep us from realizing that.

Giving is more than the act of giving Christmas and Birthday gifts, it’s also about those gifts which we give each and every day which we don’t typically see as gifts at all.

Meditation practice offers the ability to transform every experience in your everyday life. Food is certainly one of those everyday experiences which is greatly transformed and often in very interesting and rewarding ways.

Death is an often taboo topic in Western society. We do everything we can to not only avoid the subject but pretend that it doesn’t even exist. The reality is, this is really unfortunate and in no way helps us lead better lives. Becoming keenly aware of your own impermanence and deeply understanding the nature of death with regards to our interconnectedness are both things which can help us find great peace.

Buddhists understand that you can hardly help another before you help yourself. But this isn’t referring to you gaining power or riches before you can help others or living in a way that you ignore others.

To live deeply, in a way that you become keenly aware of the precious nature of life, is to begin down the path of true peace and happiness.

Compassion is one of the most revered qualities in Buddhism and great compassion is a sign of a highly realized human being.

The Four Noble Truths comprise the essence of Buddha’s teachings, though they leave much left unexplained. They are the truth of suffering, the truth of the cause of suffering, the truth of the end of suffering, and the truth of the path that leads to the end of suffering.

Ideas of beauty are found in almost, if not every, culture. At almost every period in human history, these ideas have also shared many similarities.

Whether you’re facing a global or personal crisis – or a mix of both, building resilience can help you cope with stress, overcome adversity, and enjoy the better days to come.

We are often instructed to lead with our hearts. In the real world, how do we “lead with our hearts? These tips can turn this mantra into a mindset.

Compassion is a choice you can make it at any time. It requires no special schooling, no extra time or money, nada; but awareness and a decision to lead with love.

Why is it that some people seem to shine in any sphere in which they choose to exert themselves, and others cannot manage even a glimmer despite obvious talent? Research shows that it’s the way that they think about their ability that really counts.

In the past few days, I’ve heard so many disheartening stories of people showing their worst (like fighting over toilet paper at Costco). I’ve also heard uplifting, inspiring stories of people reaching out to help others, like a young couple who are running errands for their elderly neighbors who have no family nearby.