Some years before I started writing about meditation and Buddhism, I wrote three thrillers. These were published in the early 2000s by Time Warner, a mainstream, London-based publisher. They have nothing at all to do with inner growth or spirituality and they haven’t been in print for some years. But they keep coming back. They pop up on amazon quite...
Latest Blog Posts
Is Buddha more Western than you think?
Years ago I was in one of those undercover markets, where you never know what kind of stall is round the next corner. I came across a beautiful statue of the Buddha. As I stood admiring it, the stallholder told me, “Of course, Buddha never wanted images of himself to be made.’ ‘Didn’t he?’ It wasn’t a subject I’d ever...
Unlock your own resilience and capacity to heal
In response to the coronavirus pandemic, I have written an introductory booklet about Medicine Buddha – a powerful, healing practice we use in Tibetan Buddhism. You’ll find the first two sections of the booklet below. I hope you find this inspires you to tap into the limitless capacity for wellbeing which we all possess. You can download the booklet, free...
What is the mindful response to coronavirus?
What’s the mindful response to coronavirus? Amid the turmoil, is it possible to create peace? Is it all just a horror show, or may it be that somewhere in the experience we can find a silver lining? Mindfulness of hand washing I must begin with a confession. I recently read an article offering medical advice on living in the age of...
Join David Michie in Europe – July 2021
I’m really thrilled to announce my first ever ‘Meditate in the Mountains’ retreat in Europe from Monday 19th – Friday 23 July 2021. This had to be postponed from summer 2020 because of Covid 19. Just like the Mindful Safaris I lead each year to Africa, our ‘Meditate in the Mountains’ experience will take us to the heart of nature,...
Giving to others on Mindful Safari
I’m often struck by the sad truth that most of us think of ourselves as ordinary people. When we wake up in the mornings and go about our lives, we usually do so on the basis that we’re pretty normal. We may even sometimes think of ourselves as unlucky when things aren’t going the way we wish in terms of...
Twala Trust Animal Sanctuary – A Place to Call Home
After Mindful Safari and our Meditate with Elephants experience this year (see blog: https://davidmichie.com/the-magic-of-meditating-with-elephants/) a few of our group had time before flying home to visit The Twala Trust Animal Sanctuary just outside Harare. When I think of Twala, that famous quote of Mahatma Gandhi often comes to mind: “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be...
The Dalai Lama’s Cat and the Four Paws of Spiritual Success. Prologue and Chapter One here!
Prologue Are you curious, dear reader? If you were to find yourself padding past an alcove concealed by a curtain, would your every instinct be to tug back the fabric—or, indeed, push under it—to see what lay behind? Making your way down a familiar street, if you came to a door which, for your entire existence, had been closed, but...
Attaining insights: Buddha’s wisdom of the three bowls
When we read a book, or listen to a teaching about personal transformation, we are doing something out of the ordinary. We are not simply wishing to acquire information or be entertained – although both of those things may happen. Instead, we are seeking insights to help us experience life differently. To bring an end to whatever unhappiness afflicts us. ...
The Magic of Meditating with Elephants
Last month our Mindful Safari group visited one of the most extraordinary wildlife sanctuaries in Southern Africa, the Zimbabwe Elephant Nursery (ZEN). Established by Roxy Danckwerts in 2012, ZEN is situated within Wild is Life Trust (1998), taking care of orphaned elephants as well as many other animals who cannot be returned to the wild. Most of us animal lovers...
A simple tool to connect with animals
One of the special aspects of our Mindful Safari visits to Africa is meeting kindred spirits from around the world. There are usually participants from USA, Australia, UK, and other countries, and while we have very different backgrounds and lives, we come together in our deep appreciation of nature, our practice of mindfulness and meditation – and our recognition that...
The new Dalai Lama’s Cat book: cover reveal!
I am thrilled to be revealing the chosen cover of the fourth Dalai Lama’s Cat book! My sincere thanks to each and every one of you who voted, commented and offered insights on the different options I shared a month ago. Although most people liked this cover, a number of you will have voted for a different one. I hope...
