True Dharma & The Zero Commandments of Buddhism.

The dharma isn’t a rule book that says when “this” happens, do “that.” When your child throws a tantrum, say these magic words to her. When Judy at work gossips about the manager, say the following mantra.

Thankfully, this is not the case; if it were, the teachings of the Buddha would just be another thing to hold over our heads, to judge ourselves and others by, to feed our pride or shame when we did or didn’t live up to the “rules.”

The Joy of Purposelessness

Paradoxical as it may seem, the purposeful life has no content, no point. It hurries on and on, and misses everything. Not hurrying

Buddhism

Meditation is Essentially Addressing this One Point. (It’s probably not what you think.)

This piece originally appeared on elephant journal, here. The reason that we cannot simply be present is that we have a habituated impulse to act—to lunge forward to what’s next, to find that one thing out there that we need to be okay. It’s as if we are constantly seeking to fill a hole in…

The Boy who Sat Down.

The Man sat down in the middle of the street cross-legged and smiled at the bun toasting he instantly received from the hot tar.

Buddhism

Sticking to One Boat & Not Being a Spiritual Shopper

This article originally appeared on elephant journal here. Some people, even those who appreciate Buddhist teachings somewhat, and who aren’t particularly religious, ask me why it’s necessary to adopt the label of Buddhist. Why do I have to join the club and wear the hat, so to speak. Lately, I’ve been thinking that becoming a…

Bernie Sanders is My Hero.

Bernie Sanders is my hero because he is doing what I wish I was doing. I have always looked up to, and admired most, people like Amy Goodman, Howard Zinn, Arundhati Roy, Noam Chomsky, Michael Moore, Chris Hedges, and so on (and still very much do) because of their willingness to speak truth to power,…

How I Learned to Cherish People.

“May no one who encounters me ever have an insignificant contact.” ~ Shantideva

I’m Not the Man they Think I am at Home.

Note: This article first appeared on elephant journal here. There is a phenomenon I would like to explore that involves a person beginning and traveling a meditative or yogic path that is in complete contradistinction from the spiritual or religious position of their family and upbringing. Maybe Westerners who have become Buddhists or serious yoga…

The Dawn of Enlightenment

Note: This piece first appeared on elephant journal, here. We are all alone. In Sophie Fiennes’ wonderful documentary starring the contemporary celebrity philosopher, Slavoj Zizek, The Pervert’s Guide to Ideology, Zizek speaks of the spontaneous arising ideology that we all employ to help us manage our lives, but which instead keeps us from seeing what’s…

The Four Reminders that Turn our Minds Toward Sanity & Cheerfulness

Note: This piece first appeared on elephant journal, here. Find the place inside where the awareness waits to be discovered. It is there, always, underneath the sediment floating in the pond of our minds. In Buddhism, we practice contemplating the Four Reminders that Turn the Mind Towards the Dharma. The first one is precious human…

Effort is a Moment of Mistrust

Author’s note: The title of this article is a quote, taken out of context, from a talk that Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche gave at an advanced assembly several years ago. The following is my processing this idea while sitting in the dining hall at Karme Choling as we waited for Rinpoche to invite us in the…

Pema Chodron: This is the Most Important Thing

Note: This piece first appeared on elephant journal, here. Pema Chodron, the Rockstar Nun, made this enlightening statement to an audience at Shambhala Mountain Center for the first Shambhala Sangha Retreat in 2009: “There’s nothing more important on our spiritual path than developing gentleness to oneself.” This key practice translates into gentleness towards others and…

Selected Topics

on Shambhala, Buddhism, and Shambhala Buddhism