Archives for July 1, 2015

The “Right” Way We sometimes imagine that if we just lead our spiritual life the ‘right’ way, we won’t encounter life’s sharp edges. We will be on a direct path to ever-increasing tranquility and joy. We are not prepared for all of our unfinished business being exposed, all of our unresolved trauma pushing up from […]

Sit like a Buddha There are times when the pain and awkwardness and strangeness fall away and you’re left with something sublime. Stillness. Joy. Clarity. Insight. Peace. Those moments make it easier to believe that this practice is positively affecting your life. – Brent R. Oliver, “5 Things That Might Surprise You about Meditation Retreats”

“People with good self-control mainly use it not for rescue in emergencies but rather to develop effective habits and routines in school and at work. The results of these habits and routines were demonstrated in yet another recent set of studies, in the United States, showing that people with high self-control consistently report less stress […]

Skillful Speech Few things can improve the nature of our relationships as much as the development of skillful speech. Silence offers us, and those around us, the spaciousness we need to speak more skillfully. When we speak with greater skill, our true self—our compassionate, loving self—emerges with gentle ease. – Allan Lokos, “Skillful Speech”

How Time in Nature Can Revitalize Your Body and Restore Your Soul. Numerous researchers have discovered a link between physical and, especially, mental health and exposure to the outdoors. It makes sense; human beings are as much a part of the natural world as any other animal, yet in the modern era, many of us […]

In an age of acceleration, nothing can be more exhilarating than going slow. And in an age of distraction, nothing is so luxurious as paying attention. And in an age of constant movement, nothing is so urgent as sitting still. – Pico Iyer

Great Faith, Great Doubt, Great Determination These are like the three legs of a tripod. It is uncertain whether we can accomplish the dharma if one of these three legs is missing. If all three are present, however, we would be more likely to miss the ground with a hammer than we would be to […]

“Your real enemies are the self-defeating thoughts, paltry expectations, and beliefs that you must live at less than full throttle. You will experience as much pain as you are willing to accept. You do have control over how much you hurt. Pain happens; suffering is optional. You can choose thoughts that bring you relief rather […]

Leave Yourself Alone The paradox of our practice is that the most effective way of transformation is to leave ourselves alone. The more we let everything be just what it is, the more we relax into an open, attentive awareness of one moment after another. – Barry Magid, “Five Practices to Change Your Mind”

May I Be of Service May I become an island for those seeking dry land A lamp for those needing light, A place of rest for those who desire one, And a servant for those needing service. – Shantideva, “May I Become an Island”