The Ego as a Function
In this short video, Michael W. Taft discusses the ego—something which feels as if it is an eternal entity, but which actually is nothing more than a brain-generated function.
Michael W. Taft
Thinking about Thinking
As far as we know, human beings are the only animal capable of introspection—the ability to examine our own mental processes. We not only think, but can observe ourselves in the act of thinking,… Read More »Thinking about Thinking
Why Your Brain Needs More Downtime
by Ferris Jabr Every now and then during the workweek—usually around three in the afternoon—a familiar ache begins to saturate my forehead and pool in my temples. The glare of my computer screen appears… Read More »Why Your Brain Needs More Downtime
Emotions Are Physical Events: Video
Michael Taft – “The Physicality of Emotions” from Ego the Book In this short video, Michael W. Taft discusses the difference between the embodied sensation of emotions, and the conceptual understanding of emotions.
Create a System of Rewards to Increase Your Concentration
by Michael W. Taft “Yeah when you call my name I salivate like a Pavlov dog…” — Rolling Stones Concentration is natural, but many of us struggle to concentrate better at work, in school, in… Read More »Create a System of Rewards to Increase Your Concentration
Take Your Body with You
by Michael W. Taft When I was 33 years old, I became celibate. I had always been extremely open to sex, the senses, and my body. The more I studied meditation, however, and the more… Read More »Take Your Body with You
Meditation on No-self
by Michael W. Taft Why do you meditate? There are lots of possible reasons. I started because I couldn’t stand my own mind, and realized that it was not only the source of most of… Read More »Meditation on No-self
Five Amazingly Powerful Secrets of Concentration
by Michael W. Taft Are you having trouble staying focused on your tax return? Is texting so fascinating that you can’t keep your eyes on the road? Concentration can be difficult for all of us,… Read More »Five Amazingly Powerful Secrets of Concentration
Four Ways that Mindfulness Can Enhance Your Yoga to Make You Feel Awesome
by Michael W. Taft Does anything in the world feel as good as yoga class? Think about the slow, deliberate way you get worked into a posture, adjustment by adjustment, through a brand of practical… Read More »Four Ways that Mindfulness Can Enhance Your Yoga to Make You Feel Awesome
What Is the Self?
This is a video of me speaking at the Portland Float Conference last October (2012). I’m adapting Shinzen’s ideas about how to deconstruct the ego to the environment of a flotation tank. Thanks to the… Read More »What Is the Self?
Make Yourself Some Chai
by Michael W. Taft A hot cup of spicy chai is a fabulous way to start the day: allow no substitutes. It’s also makes a great support to meditation. Getting hopped up on tea before… Read More »Make Yourself Some Chai
Five Easy Ways of Undoing Distraction
by Michael W. Taft If you cannot focus on one thing at a time, or cannot maintain attention on one thing for as long as you want to, that is distraction. Distraction dilutes brain power,… Read More »Five Easy Ways of Undoing Distraction
Tuning Into the Body with Mindfulness
by Michael W. Taft I really like to go dancing. In the Bay Area, where I live, there are a lot of rave-inspired dance events, where I go and dance for hours. The DJs are… Read More »Tuning Into the Body with Mindfulness