My electric toothbrush has seen it all. I usually look in the mirror when I’m brushing my teeth, and for a while last fall, I often cried when I stared into my own eyes. I did my best to hold it together in front of my sons—most of the time, anyway. But the mask often...

‘Things cease due to utter destruction, But not due to understanding their conditioned nature; To whom will this be evident? How can “destruction” be possible?’ Arya Nagarjuna

“The only people who get upset when you set boundaries are the ones who benefited from you having none.” ~Unknown For most of my life, I lived with a quiet ache, a longing I couldn’t quite name but always felt. I wanted to be chosen. Not just liked or tolerated, but...

‘Reflecting on the way it is brings into consciousness what a lifespan as a human being involves.’ Ajahn Sumedho

From the moment language blinked into existence, humans have tried to hold onto the words that accompany our mysterious moments of insight. We’ve etched them on bones, written them on papyrus scrolls, attached them to the refrigerator with a magnet. A bit more than a...

“Emotions are not problems to be solved. They are signals to be felt.” ~Vironika Tugaleva We’ve been taught to package our emotions like fast food—served quick, tidy, and with a smile. Americanized feelings. Digestible. Non-threatening. Always paired with...

The life story of the Buddha is lofty, elevated, and inspiring, providing us with a role model we can admire and respect. We marvel at Prince Siddhartha’s renunciation of worldly life, and we are in awe at his attainment of buddhahood. But does the story also provide...

‘Patience requires us to go beyond the choice between fleeing or fighting. It is the third and most difficult way. Affectionate awareness starts being a real central value in our lives.’ Corrado Pensa