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”

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”

Second annual Contemplative Psychology Intensive in Phuket

Getting ready for our second annual Contemplative Psychology Retreat Intensive this week at Amanpuri Villas in Phuket. It’s not at all a bad place to have a retreat. Ten graduate students from The Chicago School of Professional Psychology will learn the foundations of Ashtanga yoga, shamatha sitting meditation, and practices of loving kindness and compassion,Continue reading “Second annual Contemplative Psychology Intensive in Phuket”

My favorite vipassana meditation retreat center in Thailand

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”

Ashtanga Yoga for Beginner’s Mind

Finally. Ashtanga Yoga for Beginner’s Mind is available as an Ebook on Amazon! Ashtanga for Beginners is a guide to the practice of the primary series with a section on shamatha meditation and commentary on how each practice informs the other. While the book is appropriate for all levels of students and gives instruction at theContinue reading “Ashtanga Yoga for Beginner’s Mind”

Foundation for a New Life

 I’m walking down a lazy dirt lane in the late afternoon heat of Northern Thailand. A gaggle of ducks waddle about, making their way to a large pond for their afternoon dip.  Rice paddy extends to low hills in the distance and as I approach the meditation hall where I am to lead the afternoonContinue reading “Foundation for a New Life”

Change your mind, Change your world

Though the word mindfulness has turned into a catchy buzzword recently, there is a powerful message behind the buzz. The ability to steady the mind and bring it back to the present moment—which is another way of saying back to the breath, as we practice in yoga– is an important aid to healing. When youContinue reading “Change your mind, Change your world”