Concepts

Ideas that recur across traditions—explained in plain language, with differences kept visible.

• AwakeningAwakening names a deep shift in how life is understood and lived—not a medal for being more spiritual than others.Awakening names a deep shift in how life is understood and lived—not a medal for being more spiritual than others.
• AwarenessAwareness is the capacity to notice experience—thoughts, sensations, feelings, perceptions—without immediately becoming Awareness is the capacity to notice experience—thoughts, sensations, feelings, perceptions—without immediately becoming lost in them. You ca…
• CompassionCompassion is the wish that suffering ease, joined with a willingness to stay present with pain rather than turn away.Compassion is the wish that suffering ease, joined with a willingness to stay present with pain rather than turn away.
• CravingCraving is the hungry pull toward what we want, away from what we fear, or toward a fixed picture of how life should be.Craving is the hungry pull toward what we want, away from what we fear, or toward a fixed picture of how life should be.
• DeathDeath is the end of biological life as we ordinarily know it: the body ceases its functions, relationship with the livinDeath is the end of biological life as we ordinarily know it: the body ceases its functions, relationship with the living changes, and what …
• EgoIn everyday speech, the ego is simply the familiar sense of “me” as a separate person with a story, preferences, and defIn everyday speech, the ego is simply the familiar sense of “me” as a separate person with a story, preferences, and defenses. Psychologists…
• EthicsEthics is the branch of human reflection that asks how we ought to live—not only what we want, but what is worthy of resEthics is the branch of human reflection that asks how we ought to live—not only what we want, but what is worthy of respect, courage, care,…
• FreedomFreedom, in the sense many contemplative paths point toward, is not simply doing whatever you want. It is less captivityFreedom, in the sense many contemplative paths point toward, is not simply doing whatever you want. It is less captivity to a fixed, defende…
• GodPersonal creator, ultimate reality, ground of love, mystery“God” is among the most overloaded words in human language. In one setting it names a personal creator who speaks, commands, and loves. In a…
• I AM“I AM” is a short phrase that appears in very different settings: the Hebrew Bible, Christian scripture, modern imaginat“I AM” is a short phrase that appears in very different settings: the Hebrew Bible, Christian scripture, modern imagination teaching, and no…
• IdentificationIdentification is the habit of treating thoughts, roles, memories, emotions, or social labels as what you essentially arIdentification is the habit of treating thoughts, roles, memories, emotions, or social labels as what you essentially are. It is ordinary hu…
• IdentityIdentity is how we answer “who are you?” in practical life: a name, a history, roles at work and home, temperament, beloIdentity is how we answer “who are you?” in practical life: a name, a history, roles at work and home, temperament, belonging to a people or…
• LoveLove is not one thing. It can mean desire, friendship, mercy, devotion to God, or the steady will for another's good—eveLove is not one thing. It can mean desire, friendship, mercy, devotion to God, or the steady will for another's good—even when feeling fades…
• Not-selfBuddhist traditions teach that no permanent, independent self can be found at the center of experience. This teaching isBuddhist traditions teach that no permanent, independent self can be found at the center of experience. This teaching is called anatta, usua…
• ObserverThe “observer” is a way of speaking about the part of experience that can notice thoughts and feelings. When you watch iThe “observer” is a way of speaking about the part of experience that can notice thoughts and feelings. When you watch irritation rise, some…
• RealityReality is what we take to be there whether or not we wish it so—the ground of experience, the world of things, or whateReality is what we take to be there whether or not we wish it so—the ground of experience, the world of things, or whatever ultimately is. T…
• ReasonReason names the human capacity to ask, infer, test, and revise beliefs—to follow argument where it leads and to distingReason names the human capacity to ask, infer, test, and revise beliefs—to follow argument where it leads and to distinguish what follows fr…
• RebirthTraditional teaching, not proven scienceRebirth—also called reincarnation in common English—is the traditional teaching that consciousness or karmic continuity does not end with a …
• RelationRelation is the answer some traditions give to separation without flattening everything into sameness: real connection bRelation is the answer some traditions give to separation without flattening everything into sameness: real connection between persons, or b…
• ResurrectionA traditional Christian claimResurrection, in Christian tradition, is the hope that death is not the final word: God raises the dead to new bodily life. It is centered o…
• RevelationKnowledge described as given, not inventedRevelation names knowledge that traditions describe as arriving from beyond ordinary consciousness: divine speech, sacred scripture, prophet…
• SelfOne word, several meanings“Self” is one of the most overloaded words in spiritual and psychological language. In ordinary speech it simply means the person you take y…
• SeparationSeparation is the felt division between “me” and “not me”—my skin, my story, my standpoint over against a world that doeSeparation is the felt division between “me” and “not me”—my skin, my story, my standpoint over against a world that does not share them aut…
• SufferingSuffering is the felt friction of being alive: pain, loss, fear, disappointment, and the subtler sense that pleasant momSuffering is the felt friction of being alive: pain, loss, fear, disappointment, and the subtler sense that pleasant moments do not finally …
• ThoughtThoughts arrive as words, images, memories, plans, and judgments. For most of us they feel inseparable from identity: ifThoughts arrive as words, images, memories, plans, and judgments. For most of us they feel inseparable from identity: if I am thinking it, i…