The Heart of Meditation

Everyone talks about mindfulness these days. Now that it has gone mainstream it means different things to different people. My spiritual teacher Venerable Dhammananda Bhikkhuni, said mindfulness is when our minds are fully present. Most of the time we... Read more

Healing In Community

“The medicine is already within the pain and suffering.  You just have to look deeply and quietly.  Then you realize it has been there the whole time.”  –Saying from the Native American oral tradition   One way to think of the pandemic is a ye... Read more

Compassion For This Moment

20 years ago, when the Twin Towers fell, many of us experienced some shared moments of suffering – confusion, shock, fear, anger, and grief (the ripples, reactions, and repercussions unfolding from that tragedy we’re globally still grappling with toda... Read more

Let Metta guide your actions

Metta is a Pali word which is most often translated as lovingkindness.  It’s not a perfect translation because that’s not a word that is used in English.  Other translations used are benevolence, good-will, loving friendliness, universal love etc.  Me... Read more

Self-Compassion’s Core Questions

The quintessential question of Mindful Self Compassion (MSC) is, “What do I need right now?”  That is, mindfully checking in with yourself, and if stress or struggle are present, showing up for yourself as you would a friend – maybe offering some so... Read more

Steadiness Amidst the Waves

  Tomorrow morning, I’m offering teachings on “Steadiness Amidst The Waves.” How does what I notice or miss in any moment affect the steadiness of my heart? As I drive, I see a man at the approaching intersection selling flowers, his weatherbea... Read more

Subtleties

  A brilliant Tibetan Buddhist meditation teacher was famous for pointing to an image of a bird flying in a clear blue sky and asking, “What do you see?”. The answer would usually be, “A bird”. The teacher would then point to the sky and ask, “W... Read more

Too Busy Is A Lie

  Today I was interviewed by Vince Horn*. Vince is starting an oral history project called, “My Beloved Teachers,” a loving way to capture teachings and memories of his older teachers about their own  teachers who are long gone. Vince starts his... Read more

Freedom on a Windowsill

  Ahhhh...holidays! Just hearing that word has such nostalgic power. I dream of freedom from routines, time to meditate more, relax, hang out with family, friends and community who remind me of being loved and important to others besides myself.... Read more