Paul Van Gogh
In 2003 I ended up on a meditation cushion for the first time during the 'classical Buddhist meditation' course in Nijmegen. I was immediately captivated by meditation practice and also by Buddhism. Over the past 20 years I have immersed myself in the practice by attending retreats and studying with various teachers. I feel at home in the tradition of insight meditation.
I am particularly inspired by Theravada Buddhism. Through my work and studies as a Buddhist spiritual counselor (BGV), I have also immersed myself in other Buddhist movements. I am also trained as a mindfulness and compassion trainer. In my work as a BGV, I have guided meditation to various target groups such as prisoners and soldiers. I strive to offer my meditations in an accessible and recognizable way.
Paul Van Gogh works as a Buddhist spiritual counselor at Defense.
Updates
Nonviolence as an ideal, war as a reality – 2
Our current era is one of uncertainty and global change. Freedom, once taken for granted, is under pressure from geopolitical shifts: the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, and the growing tensions between America and Europe. We are on the eve of ...
Nonviolence as an ideal, war as a reality
As a Buddhist chaplain in the Ministry of Defence, Paul van Gogh is confronted daily with the reality of war and violence. Can this be reconciled with the Buddhist ideal of nonviolence? Are there situations in which violence is justified? 👉 https://bodhitv.nl/geweldloosheid-als-ideaal-oorlog-als-realiteit/ Date: 11/03/2025 ...
Sangha Live scheduled for 20-04-2025: Nonviolence as an ideal, war as a reality. Dilemmas of our time.
Sangha Live: Nonviolence as an ideal, war as a reality. Dilemmas of our time.. As a Buddhist spiritual counselor in Defense, I am confronted daily with the harsh reality of war and violence. This is of course in contrast to the principle of ahimsa ...
Live Meditation scheduled for 12-02-2025: Rest in place – rest
Live Meditation: In place rest - rest. As a Buddhist chaplain in the military, I often hear the cry: "in place rest". This statement reminds me to pause and to myself ...
Live Meditation scheduled for 06-02-2025: Rest in place – rest
Live Meditation: Rest in place - rest. In my work as a Buddhist spiritual counselor in the military, I often hear the statement: 'rest in place'. Where the soldiers at these moments stand in the 'rest' position on the ...
My offer
#49 The Spiritual Warrior – What is awakening? – Episode 6
Buddhism talks about Enlightenment, awakening, Nirvana or Nibbana. What does that actually mean? Is that an otherworldly state, or more...
#48 The Spiritual Warrior – Stress? – Episode 5
Everyone faces stress in their lives. From everyday concerns to the unique workplace challenges that...
#47 The Spiritual Warrior – What has meditation brought you? – Episode 4
What do you experience when you go on retreat for a few days and spend time in silence? Which aspects of yourself, which usually...
#46 The Spiritual Warrior – What is a retreat? – Episode 3
What do you experience when you go on retreat for a few days and spend time in silence? Which aspects of yourself, which usually...
#45 The Spiritual Warrior – What is meditation? – Episode 2
Is meditation complicated or vague? Only intended for spiritually oriented people? What could meditation mean for Defense? In this ...
#44 The Spiritual Warrior – What is Buddhist Spiritual Care? - Episode 1
What role can a Spiritual Caregiver play in the dynamics and hectic within Defense, when it comes to reflecting ...
The Spiritual Warrior – Intro
In the podcast series 'The Spiritual Warrior' the world of Buddhism comes together with that of Defense. Two Buddhist Spiritual ...
#17 Paul van Gogh
Paul van Gogh (1978) is a Buddhist Spiritual Caregiver at Defense. Paul worked for years in psychiatry and care for the disabled. He studied ...
