I am the bird who hops and pecks I am the mountain standing tall and firm I am the sky so vast and open I am the clouds with wispy fans I am the juniper bush, fragrant when you pass I am the lizard slithering playfully on your window sill I am the scorpion, deadlyContinue reading “Waiting For You”
Tag Archives: meditation practice
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 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”
Luxury Pilgrims
Just finished our 3rd annual Contemplative Practice and Wellness Retreat in Phuket, and the incomparable Amanpuri Resort. We hosted a small group of graduate level psychology students in a training designed to share mindfulness practice for practical application in the clinical setting. It was a fabulous reminder that being a pilgrim, learning to train theContinue reading “Luxury Pilgrims”
My favorite yoga retreat center in Thailand
I’m just back from leading a 2 week retreat at Jungle yoga in Khao Sok National Forest, Southern Thailand. It is my new favorite retreat center in Thailand! All of the buildings, including the yoga shala, are on floating rafts on the Ratchaprabha Dam. The retreat season is from November to April, withContinue reading “My favorite yoga retreat center in Thailand”
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 1
I’ll give this to you straight: don’t come to Sarnath looking for creature comforts. This is a sacred power spot, the place where the historical Buddha first turned the wheel of the Dharma, giving his first talk here at Deer Park. You come here for Dharma teachings, or pilgrimage. My teacher Thrangu Rinpoche has aContinue reading “Secret spots of Sarnath, Part 1”
The non-linear path of evolution
Just back from retreat at the new Soma Retreat Center in Chiang Rai, Thailand. It’s tempting to think that the spiritual path is a linear journey. What a surprise when you see your old neurotic patterns re-surfacing again, just like an old dysfunctional relationship you thought you had outgrown. Sometimes it can be painful toContinue reading “The non-linear path of evolution”
Beauty is in the Mindfulness of the Beholder
Once upon a time I taught yoga in Hong Kong, managing the yoga studio at the Landmark Mandarin Oriental Hotel. It was an intense phase, living in the big, bustling, money-worshipping city. I had a hard time relaxing into the pace of that life. What I learned then was that yoga practice has to involveContinue reading “Beauty is in the Mindfulness of the Beholder”
Timing is everything
Just as I was about to enter into solitary meditation retreat a couple of weeks ago here in Crestone, I learned that Tulku Damcho Rinpoche would come to give 3 days of empowerments at Vajra Vidya Retreat center. Empowerment (Tibetan: wang) in the tradition of Tibetan Buddhism is a ritualized way of transmitting the essentialContinue reading “Timing is everything”
Diary of a Pilgrim 