Several months ago, I asked permission to ordain as a priest at the Berkeley Zen Center. To become a priest has been a lifelong dream of mine — or at least one that I’ve dearly held in my heart for the last thirty years of my adult life. When my teacher said “yes” to...

“I used to tolerate a lot because I didn’t want to lose people. Now I set boundaries because I don’t want to lose myself.” ~Anonymous I used to feel stretched and depleted in my own life, drained by obligations, and confused about why I felt overwhelmed even when...

I want to share a story, one that I think is important for us to recall at this time in our country. For as my friend Rebecca Solnit reminds us, our memory of the past provides us with the ingredients for insight into what might serve the future.  It is the story of...

‘May all those lost in the pain of jealousy find delight in the success of others’ Everyday Buddhism

“Remember, you have been criticizing yourself for years, and it hasn’t worked. Try approving of yourself and see what happens.” ~Louise L. Hay There it was—glaringly obvious on the page. An embarrassing typo stared back at me from the backside of a brochure I’d...

For a long time, Jillian lived a life that was "pretty good." Nestled among the mountains of Northern Utah, she was happy and had known about gratitude for years. But back then, her thankfulness was silent. She figured that as long as she thought she was grateful, it...