Ancient Wisdom for Our Times

These words of ancient wisdom for our times were offered centuries ago by Lao Tzu. He is the famous author of the Tao Te Ching, the Book of Changes. My copy of the Tao Te Ching dates back to 1969 or 1970. If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are […]

How to Recover from Distractions in Meditation

These words of wisdom from Sharon Salzberg (again) teach us how to recover from distractions in meditation. I like the way she tells us to begin anew, as if we are beginning to meditation again for the first time. So, beginning again: your attention will go somewhere eventually, one breath, two breaths, ten breaths later. […]

The Self Never Did Exist Says The Dalai Lama

This quote teaches us that the self never did exist says the Dalai Lama. He is saying that we need to identify something that is nonexistent as nonexistent. Selflessness is not a case of something that existed in the past becoming nonexistent: rather, this sort of “self” is something that never did exist. What is […]

Two Versions of Mind Control

Today, I want to present two versions of mind control. The first version is mind control the point of view of a Zen Buddhist Nun, Kim Iryop. Kim is saying that when she can control her mind, she feels in charge. It is this mindset that can keep us comfortable, not matter what the situation. […]

Thoughts on Engaged Buddhism

Here are a few quotes from Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh containing his thoughts on engaged Buddhism. It was Thay, as he is affectionately called by his followers, who coined the term, “engaged Buddhism” in 1954. Now, it is more important than ever before for us to take action to do what we can to […]

The Search for Happiness

Matthieu Ricard has often been called “the happiest man in the world.” I tend to agree with this statement based on my limited encounters with the man through Tricycle, Buddhadharma, Shambhala Sun, and other articles; Ted Talks, Google Talks and other videos; audio recording and books. Whenever I see his name arise in an email […]

What is Your SoulPrint?

There’s nothing more beautiful, liberating and blissful than living true to your soul. It’s as though you have a spiritual guide with you at all times… helping you live your highest purpose. But how connected are you to your soul? What is your SoulPrint? Do you hear it clearly when it speaks to you? Are […]

The Nature of Religion

This quote from Karen Armstrong, a noted commentator on world religions, follows on the tail of the recent article, Joanna Macy Talks about The Kingdom of Shambhala. In that article, we learned that we must act as bhodhisattvas and take up the challenge of becoming a Shambhala warrior. Now, Karen Armstrong is telling us the […]

We are Here to Awaken from the Illusion of Our Separateness

Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh (affectionately known as Thay by his followers) says, “We are here to awaken from the illusion of our separateness.” This quote appeared in a Tricycle.com article by dharma teacher Wendy Johnson. She is the longest-running writer for Tricycle Magazine. Her articles on gardening appear each month and we have been […]

Joanna Macy Talks about The Kingdom of Shambhala

In this lovely video, Joanna Macy talks about The Kingdom of Shambhala as related to her by Choegyal Rinpoche from the Kalachakra Tantra. This talk was recorded at Spirit Rock Meditation Center on January 28, 2014. The teaching she is talking about is the emergence of the Kingdom of Shambhala. She talks about the Shambhala […]