Buddhism famously says that everything we are looking for—happiness, the end of suffering, even enlightenment—is found right here in this life. Chop wood, carry water, and all that. But what is this life? It may be much vaster and deeper than we think, both less real...

‘Unless you see your nature, all this talk about cause and effect is nonsense. Buddhas don’t practise nonsense.’ Bodhidharma

‘Nature of mind is basically empty, neither pure nor impure Free of both practise and realisation.’ Bodhidharma

Wu Wei is a key concept within Daoism — and refers to a serene acceptance of events. It’s a wisdom we’re very uninclined to remember in our own times.

‘There's a unborn unbecome unmade unconditioned. If there were no unborn-unconditioned, no escape would be possible from the born.’ The Buddha

Question: I recently moved to a Buddhist retreat center where I am pretty much the only person of color. I knew that going in, but it’s been more difficult than I expected. I love the practice and don’t want to leave, but I feel uncomfortable and miss my own people...