The meeting with the monastics in southern Italy was more than a volunteer stay. It was a reminder of why the fight for equality in Buddhism means so much.

We can waist lots of time, doing the same things over and over again in meditation, if we don't sometimes pull back and look at what we are doing.

Guided meditation on contenment, which is a universial antidote to our hindrances.

One way of looking at the training is called the gradual training, which is a gradual refinement of wholesome happiness and freedom.

There are many hindrances (nīvarana) in meditation, and if you are not aware of these, or do not understand them, you can waste a lot of time. Podcast episode can be found in the article.