Spirituality
“When there is no enemy within, the enemies outside cannot hurt you.” ~African Proverb It is just past ten in the morning on a Tuesday. My wet boardshorts and blue tank top are drying at lightning speed in the sweltering South Indian sun. I am feeling alive and...
‘Those who seek the Buddha and dharma outside of mind are all children of rich men who have forgotten where their homes are. When you awaken to the unique and wonderful dharma of your true nature, it is as if the lost child had come home.’ Bassui Tokushō
Experts of many varieties seem to agree: we’re moving way too fast, and we need to slow down—not just for our relaxation, but for our survival. Can a personal mindfulness practice have any meaningful effect on our individual and collective addiction to constant...
“You are not stuck with the brain you have. You can make it better.” ~Dr. Daniel Amen At the beginning of the year, I had this whole list in my head about the benefits of dry January: drop a few pounds, sleep better, get those bright white eyes everyone raves about....
‘It is simply that when ordinary people hear a true discourse, because of their ignorance, there are a thousand variations and ten thousand distinctions. It’s like squinting your eyes to make one moon appear as two.’ Bassui Tokushō
Growing up in Jammu for twenty-four years, Ananya was a fiercely independent child who preferred the peace of her own inner world over the heavy societal expectations. As the eldest daughter in a family where both parents worked in the government sector, there was a...
If you find you often react without thinking, explore this practice to respond with greater awareness. The post A Meditation to (Gently) Interrupt Habitual Reactions appeared first on Mindful.
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...