obstacles – Diary of a Pilgrim

Richard Freeman on Yoga and Ambition

Here’s a short interview my friend Waylon at Elephant Journal did recently at the Yoga Journal Conference in Colorado with Richard Freeman about the trap of ambition in the path of yoga.

Expect the Unexpected

You can never really count on things going the way you think they will, but here in Crestone, you can pretty much assume things will not go the way you think. After tending my garden for several weeks this summer, here’s what August weather can look like around here: It definitely keeps you onContinue reading “Expect the Unexpected”

Attitude of gratitude and Thanksgiving resolution

Though I rarely celebrate Thanksgiving anymore– I’ve lived in Asia for over 10 years now– I love the spirit behind this day of thanks. There is a powerful message to be learned here. This message was brought to me loud and clear this past few weeks, which have presented quite a few obstacles. Now, IContinue reading “Attitude of gratitude and Thanksgiving resolution”

3 Tips for Mental Health and Well-Being during your Pilgrimage

So you packed up your home, put your life on hold, and now you find yourself traveling in Asia with an open stretch of time ahead of you. You plan to rest, take stock, and discover a new angle on life. Have a few adventures. Maybe make a transition in your career. No more boringContinue reading “3 Tips for Mental Health and Well-Being during your Pilgrimage”

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”

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”

Beginners Mind for Yogis

Here’s the honest to god truth: after over twenty years of devoted (bordering on obsessive) yoga and meditation practice, I am amazed at how much time I still spend criticizing myself, judging others and wanting things to be different than they are. Wanting things, in general. Or, not wanting things. Being mad at how ourContinue reading “Beginners Mind for Yogis”

This Precious Life

It’s not always easy to be grateful for this unique life with all of its less-than-perfect moments. Sometimes the veil gets thick, and it’s hard to see what’s real. With all the chaos in the world, it’s especially important to dwell in gratitude, rather than its opposite. Someone reminded me recently that the only reasonContinue reading “This Precious Life”