In Praise Of Mother Earth

This poem came to me by email from the monks and nuns at the Deer Park Monastery of Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh in honor of Earth Day. IN PRAISE OF MOTHER EARTH (written by Thay, Thich Nhat Hanh)   Homage to you Refreshing Earth Bodhisattva Mother of this world with its many species. We want […]

True Love Knows No Boundaries

One of the most beautiful teachings of the Buddha was his teaching that true love knows no boundaries. This idea was expressed in the metta sutta as a mother’s love for her child: Even as a mother protects with her life her child, her only child, so with a boundless heart, should one cherish all living beings. […]

Lincoln And Enlightened Leadership

This week’s Words of Wisdom chosen by Lama Surya Das is about the movie, Lincoln. The movie stars Daniel Day-Lewis, Sally Field, Jackie Earle Haley, Tommy Lee Jones, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt and was directed by Steven Spielberg. I’ve heard that Sally Field gained a lot of weight to play the part of Mrs. Lincoln. Lincoln’s struggle to […]

Wedding Dream

In May 2009, I went to Israel with my family. Rachael was already there on a work-study program in architecture and Jessica was on a Birthright trip. Two of my nieces got married, Naomi on May 31 and Aviva on June 4. Aviva invited me to speak at her wedding, which I accepted. I knew […]

Equanimity

This is another quote from Weekly Words of Wisdom chosen by Lama Surya Das. The subject is upekkha or equanimity, which is one of the four brahma viharas or “immeasurable minds” or “sublime abodes” that lead to liberation. What are the other three brahma viharas? Metta or loving kindness, karuna or compassion, and mudita or […]

Loving Kindness Meditation

Ed and Deb Shapiro have been teaching meditation for 25 years. One of the meditation practices they teach is loving kindness meditation. Loving kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity are the foundations for a happy life. They are known collectively as the four immeasurable minds. These practices work for anyone. They are not restricted to […]