2500 Years Of Social Revolution

Zen.Buddha

This quote by Roshi Joan Halifax came to me by email in December. This ties in with The Story of the Buddha from earlier this week and reflects on 2500 years of social revolution. Also, I have been listening to a podcast by Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh in which he talked about how the Buddha [...]

Roshi Joan Halifax Is Coming To Stanford

Roshi Joan Halifax Is Coming to Stanford

Roshi Joan Halifax is coming to Stanford University in one week on February 20, 2013. She will be in conversation with Dr. Jim Doty, Stanford neuroscientist and founder of The Center for Compassion And Altruism Research And Education (CCARE). When I met Roshi Joan Halifax sixteen years ago, I had no idea she was such an [...]

Phase Shift In The World Religions

Joan Halifax and the Dalai Lama

During the summer of 1997, when I was on retreat with Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh in Santa Barbara, California, I met Roshi Joan Halifax. I was immediately struck by her presence and her beauty. Who would think that she could accomplish so much in her lifetime. She is the founder and abbess of the Upaya [...]

Unarmed Truth And Unconditional Love

Martin-Luther-King-Jr-9365086-2-402

This quote came to me from the Upaya Zen Center run by Roshi Joan Halifax. Dr. Martin Luther King nominated Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1967. I refuse to accept the view that mankind is so tragically bound to the starless midnight of racism and war that the bright [...]

The Better World

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

This quote came to me on Christmas morning from Roshi Joan Halifax. If we are to have peace on earth, our loyalties must become ecumenical rather than sectional. Our loyalties must transcend our race, our tribe, our class, and our nation; and this means we must develop a world perspective. —Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. [...]

Backstage Interviews At Wisdom 2.0

Many important teachers at Wisdom 2.0 were asked, “What is wisdom?” Jack Kornfield, founder of Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Marin County, California said that it was bringing about connection. His statement was in line with The Declaration of Interdependence. Biz Stone, co-founder of Twitter, said “Wisdom is understanding plus experience.” Daniel Siegel, co-director of the [...]

The Tripple Truth of the Buddha

Buddha

Just saw this quote courtesy of Roshi Joan Halifax: Teach this triple truth to all: A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things which renew humanity. —Buddha

Happy Continuation Joan Halifax

Roshi Bernie at Prajn aon Roshi's 70th

In celebration of the continuation day of Roshi Joan Halifax, please enjoy this poem. Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh taught us that his way of saying, “Happy Birthday” is “Happy Continuation Day!” So Happy 70th Continuation Day to you Roshi Joan Halifax. LONE MALLARD A lone mallard glides across the pond without her young practicing [...]

Happy Birthday Roshi Joan Halifax

Roshi Joan Halifax Is Coming to Stanford

Open Letter to Roshi Joan Halifax Dear Roshi: We met in 1997 at the Thich Nhat Hanh (Thay) retreat in Santa Barbara sitting under a tree with a group of people. Maybe we will meet again in 2013 when Thay comes to Santa Cruz. You might remember me as having just been diagnosed with bladder [...]

Governments Need Mindfulness – Not Enemies

Thich Nhat Hanh in Vancouver in 2011

You may be wondering why a website devoted to meditation practices would have something about how governments need mindfulness – not enemies. Read on and you will find out how and why. Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh has been a peace activist in the world since 1964. At that time, his goal was to put [...]