Cultivating Equanimity in Daily Life
Equanimity is a great resource for us in formal practice, as well as in how we meet the day to day unfolding of our lives. I’d like to suggest some ways we can bring...
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Reflections from our teachers
Faith: Cultivating an Undivided Life
The opening lines of the seminal Zen poem, The Mind of Great Faith, written by Sengcan in 7th century China, states:“The Great Way is not difficultfor those who have no preferences.When love and hate are...
What Can I Do to Help?! I’m At My Limit!
Sometimes, as much as we want to be of benefit in the world, and how hopeful we may feel about our meditation practice, we come up against walls. As much as we want to...
The Appropriate Response
When confronted with the question of action, it’s natural to turn to a formula. If you’ve seen the show “Sex Education”, you’ll remember the scene where the young protagonist nervously attempts to apply a...
Seeing Clearly in an Age of Confusion
To say that it’s strange times is a bit of an understatement, wouldn’t you say? From the climate emergency to the war in Ukraine, a global pandemic and an opioid epidemic, we are living in a...
Skillful Distraction
This is an excerpt from Shaila Catherine’s 2022 book, “Beyond Distraction: Five Practical Ways to Focus the Mind” – shared with permission. There are appropriate times for distraction. A parent might dangle a set...
Five Things to Do at the Beginning of Meditation
Here are five things you can do at the beginning of a meditation period that may help you get settled and prepare your mind for meditation. It is very helpful after you get seated...
Touching the Earth: Turning the Mind to the Roots
Buddhist Teachings can appear mythical and yet are often very practical. I’ve always been touched by the account of this particular moment in the Buddha’s struggle: during his last night before awakening, upon being...
What Am I Doing In Here
“What Am I Doing In Here” is a practice that connects us with the Buddha’s first talk, which came to be known as “Turning The Dharma Wheel,” The Wheel of Law, which means working...
Precepts as Orientation
The 5 precepts often given to lay practitioners are (with positive instructions in parenthesis): I vow not to kill (Love and support all beings)I vow not to steal (generosity)I vow not to misuse sexuality...