One of my favorite places for a meditation retreat is Wat Suan Mok, in the Surat Thani province of Thailand. Just an hour’s drive from the planet’s oldest rainforest and Khao Sok National Forest, this gorgeous retreat center holds a monthly 10 day vipassana retreat for westerners from the 1st to the 10th of eachContinue reading “My favorite vipassana meditation retreat center in Thailand”
Tag Archives: Buddhism
Desire in the Dark Age
Clearly we are at the deep end of the dark age. I can tell because I’ve spent the last week eating cheese puffs. Like most of us here in the desire realm, I grasp at the world of form in a misguided attempt to reduce suffering. The array of distractions is vast: Cary Grant films,Continue reading “Desire in the Dark Age”
Make a Wish
The Great Stupa of Dharmakaya at Boudhanath is said to grant wishes to those who ask with faith and devotion. Five years ago, I made the journey to Nepal to try my luck. My root guru passed away before I met him, (you’d have to understand the teachings of Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche to know whatContinue reading “Make a Wish”
Kathmandu
One of the best things about visiting Kathmandu is the auspicious presence of spiritual masters. On my recent visit, I was fortunate enough to spend time with a few of them. Here at Shechen Monastery, a drupchen was in progress… Dilgo Khyentse Yangsi Rinpoche, the reincarnation of the great master of the last century, presidedContinue reading “Kathmandu”
Why You Need to Reinvent Yourself
Q: Why do you need to keep reinventing yourself? A: Because you do. I know, you hate that answer. So did I. But by now, you’ve probably figured out that there’s no such thing as a straight shot when finding your way in life. Four steps forward, eight steps back; three steps forward, and theContinue reading “Why You Need to Reinvent Yourself”
How to Practice Meditation
These days, you see references to sitting meditation everywhere. People sell cars now sitting in lotus posture, eyes closed with wind gently tousling their hair. It’s enough to make you gag. But if you truly want to learn to meditate, check out this practical guide to learn to meditate from one of Tibet’s great yogis,Continue reading “How to Practice Meditation”
Raising Consciousness with Thich Nhat Hanh
Just back from a long weekend with the Thai Plum Village people (not to be confused with the Village People) (sorry, I couldn’t help myself), which is the local sangha of revered Vietnamese Buddhist teacher and Nobel Peace Prize nominee Thich Nhat Hanh. We spent the time in the mountains near Chiang Dao, in NorthernContinue reading “Raising Consciousness with Thich Nhat Hanh”
Diary of a Pilgrim 