I am standing on a vast expanse of palm-lined sand on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica; a hundred baby sea turtles claw their way out of the safety of their nest. Inch by inch, these tiny beings wriggle across the runway of sand toward the ocean. I watch in wonder as...

No matter how advanced our spiritual practice might be, in the end, we should always remember not to be reckless in our behavior. Therefore, ethics is the foundation of all Buddhist practices, including the Dzogchen tradition in which I practice. Without the framework...

In Buddhism, equanimity is traditionally considered one of the most beneficial states of mind, yet in American Buddhism it is often sidelined by better-known qualities such as mindfulness and compassion. Margaret Cullen corrects this in her new book, Quiet Strength:...

“Vulnerability is the only path through the wall that separates us from each other.” ~Brené Brown Every time I share something deeply personal—an article, a post, a piece of my story somewhere or to someone—there is a part of me that lights up with energy. I feel a...

‘Awareness is a natural state; it’s normal. It isn’t a compounded state that depends on other conditions.’ Ajahn Sumedho

In 2020, life felt deeply unstable on many fronts for Naisola Wandiri. After completing her university studies in Kenya, she experienced a sudden spike in self-awareness. However, this period of personal growth also brought an unexpected wave of loneliness. She was...

‘You don’t have to be a vegetarian to be a Buddhist, but it certainly helps the beings you decide not to eat.’ Zen Graffiti

‘When we try to grasp the nature of enlightenment or liberation purely through the intellect, we often find ourselves at an impasse. The concepts that once seemed clear become paradoxical, and the distinctions we rely upon begin to dissolve.’ Everyday Buddhism

‘When you hear me talk about the Void, do not at once fall into the idea of vacuity. It is of the utmost importance that we should not fall into this idea, because when a man sits quietly and keeps his mind blank he will abide in a state of ‘‘Voidness of...

“You can’t go back and change the beginning, but you can start where you are and change the ending.” ~C. S. Lewis I started life in a poor household with one parent who left when I was very little, never to be seen or heard from again, and another who stuck around but...