As part of our studies in Buddhist and Western Psychology, my graduate school class spent three months in a Rocky Mountain retreat, personally experiencing the transformative power of the ‘five buddha families’. We were exploring the radical teachings of Tibetan … Continued
Today I am saying goodbye to my little white pony. She’s been with me for four years mostly folded up in the front hall closet. I got her in the spring of 2020 when I discovered that I could finally … Continued
now how to respond to this difficult emotion. Being In A Bardo The word bardo is a Buddhist term often used for the after-death experience. But it also describes the gap triggered by any unexpected crisis. The shock of illness, … Continued
A cancer diagnosis might feel like the worst thing that could happen to us. But if you want to know the nature of fear, it gives us a great opportunity to work with fear. The step by step instructions … Continued
For the first half hour bumping through the clouds in this small plane I’ve been trying to make small talk with the guy sitting next to me. The weather. Is this vacation or work? Where is home? Short questions and … Continued
Recently a wind storm knocked over one of my favourite trees in our neighbourhood, a large cedar that must have been about 200 years old. City workers moved in with saws to shave the new stump, revealing the wide and … Continued
Mindful Communication; A Mirror for Effective Feedback Kris, the woman sitting next to me on the plane, was returning from what she called a ‘new kind’ of management conference. “What was different about it?” I asked, curious about her … Continued
Last week around 45 people celebrated New Year’s in a silent winter retreat in the heart of downtown San Francisco. Along with plenty of sitting meditation, we were exploring what happens when we make a commitment , like quitting … Continued
Blessings and Hearts Today my American family and friends are celebrating Thanksgiving. Internet sites are posting stories about all we have to be thankful for. In particular, I was reading a text by psychologist Dr. Robert Emmons about the … Continued
Joy slips into my life by surprise. I click an e-mail attachment and the eyes of my friend’s new-born baby blink open. The traffic’s stopped in the rain at a construction zone– out of nowhere, a brilliant rainbow! A spring … Continued