JB, one of our members, has agreed to author a short series on his Buddhist practice and the battle of middle age bulge. It's an interesting slant on combining Buddhist practice with everyday problems and experience. There are no dieting tips, no special recipes, no secret Buddhist cookbooks, and no invocations, prayers or ceremonies involved. Nor it is a series of Buddhist scriptures that will supposedly encourage your faith and sustain you through the effort. As JB relates, "Even meditation doesn't make it easier. If you're just trying to find an easy way to lose a few pounds, meditation probably won't help. Meditation may make you more willing and able to endure the necessary effort and suffering, but it won't take the obstacles out of the way."

The principle value of the articles is actually not about losing weight at all, but about tackling everything in life, especially problems with an intent to see and understand one's own mind, how it functions, and finally what it is not. In that vein, Buddhism becomes everyday life, and everyday life becomes a teacher.  The topic is intriguing because it's outside canonical Buddhism, while clearly within the heart of it. It very doubtful you've ever heard a monk or lama discuss this type topic.

The article is most valuable for lay practitioners, where conditions of existence present almost limitless opportunities for indulgence without the shelter of monastic orders with rules to fence out temptations. The lay practice is somewhat a daily trial in fire, rather than  cool shaded forests protected from noise and temptations. If Buddhism will work in the lay environment, it will work anywhere.

Hopefully, you will find it both enjoyable and food for heart and mind. There are three short articles in the series which will start next week.