By Sylvia Boorstein Heaven is nowhere else but right here on this earth, when we live with friendliness, compassion, joy, and equanimity. In Buddhism, these benevolent states of mind are called the divine abodes, and in this excerpt from her new book, Happiness Is an Inside Job, Sylvia Boorstein tells us some surprising storiesContinue reading “The 4 Immeasurables, or Brahmaviharas, by Sylvia Boorstein”
Category Archives: Dharma
On Writing, by Natalie Goldberg
Meeting the Chinese in St. Paul: Rhino Hits the Midwest By Natalie Goldberg A season devoted to the koans of the ancient Chinese Masters gave Natalie Goldberg a taste for the stripped-down, naked truth of things. As she searched Minnesota for an elusive rhinoceros, a simple truth revealed itself: I’m broken and I’m free. AsContinue reading “On Writing, by Natalie Goldberg”
Peacocks and Poison
Bodhisattva – Like a Peacock Thriving on Poisons Peacock thrive on poison like bodhisattva thrives on negativies. Peacocks live in forest with poisonous plants, they eat the poisonous plants that no other animals can eat, and instead of being poisoned, peacocks transformed the poisons thay eat into beautiful, colorful and vibrant plumage and thrive. Similarly,Continue reading “Peacocks and Poison”
A Fantastic Resource for Learning Meditation (from Thailand)
Here in Phuket we are in the midst of an incredible retreat by luminary meditation teacher, scholar, Tibetan translator Alan Wallace. He graciously offers his teachings for free, so if you’d like to join us via podcast, go here and subscribe. May all beings benefit!
A View As Vast As Space
“Although my view is as vast as space, when comes to the nature of actions and their consequences, I am extremely precise, like little particles of flour.” (Or sand.) ~Guru Rinpoche
The Real You–by Alan Watts
Watch this!
A visit with the 17th Karmapa
In March of this year, I went to Sarnath, India, where Shakyamuni Buddha gave teachings for the very first time. While I was there I had the incredible good fortune to have a private meeting with His Holiness the 17th Karmapa. My meeting was limited to 3 minutes, so I had time for one questionContinue reading “A visit with the 17th Karmapa”
Royal Palace, Phnom Pehn
One thing I love about Cambodia is its incredibly rich spiritual heritage. It’s one of the few places where you can get a felt sense of how the Hindu and Buddhist traditions mixed, merged and eventually diverged. Outside of Nepal, I have not come across another culture that has such a vast treasure of theContinue reading “Royal Palace, Phnom Pehn”
Nepal Yoga Retreat and Pilgrimage, March 2015
Nepal Yoga Retreat and Pilgrimage, March 2015 Practice or learn yoga and meditation while visiting sacred sites throughought the Kathmandu Valley with masters of yoga and meditation. Join us for a magical 10 days of practice and pilgrimage through the Kathmandu Valley. We will visit sacred Buddhist sites throughout the Kathmandu Valley and practice dailyContinue reading “Nepal Yoga Retreat and Pilgrimage, March 2015”
Secret spots of Sarnath, Part 2
Continuing on last week’s theme of places to stay and eat in Sarnath, here is my personal favorite: Namo Buddha guesthouse. This is where I stay when I am here. Run by German born Chris Teich and her husband Nehru, this is a little oasis of calm in dusty Sarnath. she only has 3 properContinue reading “Secret spots of Sarnath, Part 2”
Diary of a Pilgrim 