A Buddhist monk who began his monastic life at age 10 is sharing the wisdom he has gained from decades of meditation to help others cope with modern stress. Bhante Saranapala, now 53 and based in Toronto, leads weekly meditation sessions and monthly retreats focused on mindfulness and mental health.
Saranapala explains that his practice is rooted in the Buddhist goal of Nirvana, the highest state of enlightenment marking the end of suffering. He emphasises that meditation must be built on a foundation of morality, purifying the mind from negative emotions. 'Meditation gives us the wisdom to see things as they are, and we realise the fact that everything is impermanent,' he says.
While a practising Buddhist, Saranapala stresses that anyone can benefit from meditation. Key elements include slow, silent breathing and staying present. He notes that meditation helps prevent impulsive reactions to stress, grief, or depression, and fosters a calm presence that can positively affect those around you.
George Wiegand, a California resident, began exploring meditation in his early thirties and now studies Tibetan Buddhism. For 40 years, he has lived at the Tibetan Nyingma Meditation Center, dedicating an hour daily to analytical meditation. He practices 'calm abiding,' which involves sitting and observing the mind without attachment, leading to clear seeing of thoughts and sensations.
The popularity of meditation is growing. According to the National Health Interview Survey, the percentage of US adults who meditated more than doubled from 7.5% in 2002 to 17.3% in 2022. A 2018 study in Behavioural Brain Research found that brief daily meditation improved memory, mood, and emotional regulation in novices, while the Mayo Clinic notes it can reduce anxiety and stress.
Saranapala reports that meditation gives him emotional balance, resilience, and better relationships. He carries mindfulness into everyday activities, staying fully present to prevent negative thoughts from spiralling. 'With mindfulness, you have an “aha” moment,' he says, advising against emotional reactions to minor frustrations like traffic.
