10 things science and Buddhism says will make you happy
1. Be generous “Make altruism and giving part of your life, and be purposeful about it,” Yes magazine says. “Researcher Elizabeth Dunn found that those who spend money on others reported much greater happiness than those who spend it on themselves.” And in fact Buddhism has always emphasized the practice of dana, or giving. Giving hasn’t been seen purely as the exchange of material possessions, however; giving
Reconnecting with Your Spirit
The old saying is true – the older we get, the more quickly time flies! In this flurry of days, weeks, and months passing, we so often neglect to give our attention fully to the tasks at hand – always thinking about what we must accomplish next. We indulge ourselves in over-thinking and slowly drift from the sense of inner peace that slowing down and taking
The Epiphanies Of Aging
Patrick Kurp is reading John Updike’s Self-Consciousness, published when the author turned 57: I’m three years older than Updike when he published it, and he spends much time revisiting Shillington, Pa., where he grew up and frequently returned in his imagination. It’s an aging man’s reverie, one I share, and so forgive … Updike writes: Also like my late Unitarian father-in-law am I now in my amazed, insistent
Why do we meditate?
Is meditation narcissistic? The short answer is: it depends. The act of sitting in silence, eyes closed or facing a wall, attention focused on the inner landscape of breath, body and mental activity, could at least be characterized as self-absorbed — some might call it navel gazing. The term “navel gazing,” which the dictionary defines as “useless or excessive self-contemplation,” was originally a concentration
Spiritual But Not Religious
One of the more ubiquitous statements that has emerged over the last decade, ‘Spiritual, Not Religious’ is a self-affirming antidote to the traditional trappings of religion, the archaic and inflexible (and at times invented) demands of doctrine sometimes associated with Christianity, Judaism and Islam. According to one Gallup poll, nearly one-third of the US population falls under this umbrella term. While those roaming about the
Minister Honours Interfaith Harmony Week
Min. of state for Elderly & Disability affairs and also Bbaale county MP, Hon. Sulaiman Kyebakoze Madada has stressed the significance of strengthening interfaith harmony in the country. Madada revealed that world over, politics & the church are involved in the state formation thus one can not do without the other. He noted therefore, that there is need of an advocacy Uganda in particular
A Saudi-inspired all-faiths hub
The underappreciated power of prayer is a prime motivating force behind a new Saudi-inspired interfaith center in Austria that seeks to become the place for world religious leaders to meet, solve problems and melt the “mountain of fears” that exists between religious people, says the Saudi official who is championing the ambitious project. “We underestimate the wisdom of religious leaders,” said Faisal bin Abdulrahman bin Muaammar, secretary-general
The Pope resigns
This is astonishing news – Pope Benedict has informed his brethren at the Vatican that he will be retiring due to “advanced age”. I honestly thought that this was a hoax until I saw it was making early morning headlines and trending on Twitter/reddit etc. It obviously speaks well of Benedict that his concern for his office and the Church outweighs any personal desires
10 Great Jewish Proverbs
Self Improvement First improve yourself, and then judge others. Pride Pride is the mask of one’s faults. Giving The man who gives little with a smile gives more than the man who gives much with a frown. Friends Who finds a faithful friend, finds a treasure. Knowledge Whoever does not try, does not learn. Aspiration If you don’t aspire to great things, you won’t
Angels and Aliens in Texas Schools
What would Supreme Court Justice Tom Clark think of public school Bible courses that taught that Jewish festivals are actually typological predictions of Jesus, that the “African races” are descendants of Noah’s cursed son Ham, that biblical stories about angels may have referred to extraterrestrial visitors, or that Genesis’ six-day creation story is scientifically accurate if interpreted correctly? Clark is the justice who penned