Luckily for me, my teacher Nyogen Roshi keeps repeating the same thing over and over again. (I’m beginning to realize that’s what teachers do.) In nearly every one of his weekly dharma talks he ends up reciting a set of instructions given to him by his teacher Maezumi...

In the fall, the broad canopy of giant sycamores in my backyard turns faintly yellow and the leaves sail down. First by ones, and then by tons. A part of every autumn day finds me fuming at the sight of falling leaves. Then, I pick up a rake. Tell me, while I’m...

‘Performing good actions merely to attain fame and praise is like exchanging the mystic wish-granting gem for pellet of goat’s dung.’ Tibetan Saying

This sutta uses the metaphor of crossing a dangerous flood (ogha) to represent transcending samsara. The Buddha's method—neither striving too hard nor being completely passive—illustrates the Middle Way.

When you’re a writer or an artist, nothing is wasted. Even the most painful and difficult situations in life can be recycled into material for a project, and it’s the artist’s job to be awake, aware, and opportunistic. This attitude might sound a bit cold and...

Years ago, I was at a professional dinner, chatting with a young visiting researcher from China. In discussing her job-search process, she shared that Chinese women had an earlier mandatory retirement age than men. This piqued my curiosity, as I’d heard about this...

‘The spiritual source shines clear in the light; the branching streams flow on in the dark.’ Sandōkai

‘Morning Meditation: Awareness is not something we create; it is already present, a natural quality of mind.’ Everyday Buddhism

‘Strong faith combined with weak intellect are apt to lead to the error of narrow minded dogmatism.’ Gampopa

‘Weakness of faith combined with strength of intellect are apt to lead to the error of talkativeness.’ Gampopa