I want to talk about why it’s so important to become familiar with our own minds and our own experience. All of our teachers talk about this, but why? Many years ago when I was first starting meditation, when I was practicing in the Vipassana model, I would try to…
A safe space is a place that provides assistance to people in need. When we need a safe space in meditation we’re so caught in our dukkha we can’t find a way to be with it.
We’re hardwired to fear the unknown. But there is another side to uncertainty: the possibilities that open to us. They can hold growth, new ideas, potential. There is freedom in not knowing; a chance to be curious.
Not too long ago, I read an article in the NYT about awe, A-W-E and it’s impact on health. For the past month, I’ve brought the experience of awe into my meditation, exploring it and trying to pay more attention to awe in my walking around life too. There are…
There was a man by the name of Cudapanthaka, who wanted to learn how to meditate. The Buddha heard about him and went to talk with him and hear his story. He then suggested he sweep, just sweep the dust away. Here is my take on this traditional story.
As you recall, I went to the International Western Dharma Teachers Gathering in late October. Last time I talked about what I learned to support practice. This time I want to share some of what I learned about the climate crisis and the response or lack of response from Buddhist…
I want to share some ideas with you from the International Western Dharma Teachers Gathering. These suggestions about a meditative mindset could become a fruitful discussion.
There is a way that nature speaks, that land speaks. Most of the time we are simply not patient enough, quiet enough, to pay attention to the story. I think this is also the dharma, not just dukkha, attachment and the poisons.
We’ve just passed the 9/11 anniversary and you’ve probably heard a lot of remembrances about that day. It’s the kind of event that you never forget where you were when you first learned about it. I can even see in my minds eye where I was and the first images…
This is the nature of our life—there is suffering (as well as happiness, delight and joy). I have had to learn this over and over again. How can I tolerate suffering, gently and kindly?