Spiritual But Not Religious Buddhism

Are You Spiritual But Not Religious?

Buddhism is about realization and experience, not institutions or divine authority. This makes it especially suited to those who consider themselves spiritual but not religious. Here are ten reasons why:

That Time I Sobbed My Way Through a Himalayan Meditation Retreat

Fear, sadness, grief, jealousy, and anger are like quicksand: resisting them in a sudden, knee-jerk way can make them much more troublesome. But investigating them patiently – embracing them, even — can undo their effects. Pema Chödrön, an American nun in the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, tells a story about Milarepa, a Tibetan sage who lived…

Crowd watching fireworks.

The Biggest Party Ever

As a child, Howard Axelrod dreamed of a festival that everyone in the world attended. Now he realizes that it's been happening all along.

How do I explain my Buddhist practice to my family?

Every time I see my family, I end up hurt because they believe Buddhism is a weird fringe religion. How can I make them understand?

Meditator holding an iPhone.

15 Buddhist Apps to Help Recognize You Don’t Really Need a Buddhist iPhone App

Sam Littlefair learns why there are so few Buddhist apps and how — even if they're not totally necessary — they might help you on your spiritual journey.

Awakening in the Body

Being mindful of the body is a profound—though often overlooked—opportunity to deepen our meditation and develop our insight.

The Perfect Love We Seek, The Imperfect Love We Live

Psychologist John Welwood looks at the difference between absolute and relative love, and the wound within each of us that no other can heal.

Awakening My Heart: On Retreat with Thich Nhat Hanh

Andrea Miller attends a transformational six-day retreat with Thich Nhat Hanh.

Emotional Resilience Krissy Pozatek, Children, Raise, Family, Parenting, Shambhala Sun, Lion's Roar, Buddhism

How to Raise an Emotionally Resilient Child

Emotional health means accepting the full range of human emotions, both the painful and the positive.

Ask the Teachers: Should I meditate if I can’t stop thinking about porn?

Bodhin Kjolhede, JoAnna Harper, and Repa Dorje Odzer answer the question "Should I meditate if I can't stop thinking about porn?"