What's a Black Bodhisattva to Do?
For some, taking refuge in Buddha, Dharma and Sangha is not abstraction. It’s front-and-center reality. But what if that refuge is breached?read more
View ArticleThe Dalai Lama: On Approaching the Profound
An excerpt from His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s book The Middle Way.read more
View ArticleKindness is not a four letter word
“What are you working with right now?” he asked me.(This is something Buddhists sometimes ask each other.)“Kindness,” I responded. “I find that I can always be a little kinder to myself.”“Oh, that’s a...
View ArticleIs Our Love Sufficient?
The charge of "depraved heart murder"was filed against one of the Baltimore police officers accused in connection with the death of Freddie Gray in Baltimore. That's an odd term for most of us:...
View Article10 Takeaways from The Birth of the Warrior
It is hardly necessary, or even necessarily recommended, to follow up Shambhala Level One with Shambhala Level Two: The Birth of the Warrior as quickly as I did. read more
View ArticleNepal Earthquake - How Not to Look Away
It's been a few weeks since the Nepalese earthquake struck, devastating the country, killing over 8,000 people and injuring ~20,000. Today another powerful quake hit, bringing even more destruction...
View ArticleMeditation For the Win
One of the reasons for meditating -- sitting still and focusing on an object, such as the breath -- is to train in tapping into the calm space in your awareness so that you can find that space in the...
View ArticleHow to Make Sickness your Practice
Excerpted from Toni Bernhard'sHow to Be Sick. In this book, Bernhard shares ways to make “being sick” the heart of a spiritual practice — and through truly learning how to be sick, learn how to live a...
View Article4 Lojong Slogans That Save My Life
On a sunny Sunday morning last April, I woke up late, took a sip from the half-empty bottle of beer on my end table, and felt my pancreas explode.read more
View ArticleThe Power of Trusting
Excerpted from Free Yourselfby Carolyn Hobbs.I lie on the living room couch exhausted, two weeks before Christmas. Luckily, after years of coming back into the present, I know how to switch channels. I...
View ArticleLaziness and restlessness
I've been writing for the IDP blog on a regular basis for almost five years -- not because I think I have great insights to share but because it needs to be done. I've worked on daily newspapers for...
View ArticleReduce Stress and Distraction with This Short Body Scan
You’ve heard of eight-minute abs, but have you heard of an eight-minute body scan?This short embodiment practice is for when you’re lost in worry, feeling a bit frantic, or out of touch with your body....
View ArticleDaily Connect: Branding like a Buddhist?
An article in today's Guardian reports that Thai brand strategist SirikulLaukaikul is offering corporate clients "karma marketing" tools; a way to promote their produc read more
View ArticleIs Zayn Still in One Direction in a Pure Land?
Buddhism is often seen these days as a supremely rational philosophical system or belief system, depending on your stance. Investigate everything, the Buddha said. Do not believe anything just because...
View ArticleWhat to Do With the Mind: Instructions for Meditation from the Classic...
Excerpt from Mindfulness in Plain English by Bhante Gunaratana.read more
View ArticleA Body without Shame: Living Mindfully with Pain
Pain is tough, of course, but the thoughts and feelings of shame which pain can stir up are the real nightmare. In my own history and my private practice teaching adults with pain, feelings of shame...
View ArticlePractice Like a Champion
My Buddhist teacher shared this photo of a T-shirt she saw someone wearing at the airport, commenting that it seems like a good message.Practice like a champion.Since my teacher suggested it, I have to...
View ArticleDaily Connect: Truly Want to be Happy? Remember You're Gonna Die
The BBC website has a recent article"Bhutan's Dark Secret to Happiness". What's the "dark secret"? Death.read more
View Article10 Questions to Reflect on Wisdom
Excerpt from Life is Spiritual Practice by Jean Smith.A Practice and Reflection on Wisdomread more
View ArticleDaily Connect: The Tragedy in Charleston Today
When I heard about the mass murder in Charleston, SC this morning, my first reaction was an awful feeling of sadness, quickly followed by outrage, then blame. I thought to myself, "It's the fault of...
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