Sometimes I learn how to cultivate a positive quality by witnessing how it’s polar opposite gets played out either by myself or people around me.
Lately I’ve had the opportunity to work with cultivating equanimity,...
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The budget battle in America has been interesting. My main interest - as a student of consciousness - is in the view of human nature on display in any argument, the ethical beliefs that lie underneath any...
I was listening to an episode of Being with Krista Tippet recently, and Krista was interviewing Dr. Scott Atran, author of Talking to the Enemy. Dr. Atran made one assertion during his interview that really struck me:
On China's phenomenal economic growth of the last decade:
...it's creating a lot of environmental damage, it's not generating many jobs, much of the benefits of this growth are not going to the average household ... in addition,...
Happy April Fools Day all! Have you had any good jokes played so far? Google TISP is a good April Fools' joke. I wrote a comment on my facebook and twitter feeds today, but then read this great article from Salon.com, My Month of No Snark.
I work at a place (United for a Fair Economy) that is trying to create a more equitable distribution of wealth in the US. Right now, Cuomo in New York is trying to get rid of two higher tax brackets that were created a couple of years ago and we...
A recent article in the NY Times highlights how a global increase in demand for Quinoa has increased the cost of the seed in Bolivia, where it is produced, to the point where many Bolivians themselves cannot afford it and are turning to unhealthy...
A friend just posted this on twitter, and i thought i'd share it, seeing as some of the states are in one of those teacher bashing modes, down on their unions, etc.
Here's to all the crazy wisdom out there, and all the teachers who wake...
There are many people I admire. Historically, my heroes have been do-ers—Martin Luther King Jr., Gandhi, Gloria Steinem and the like. My criteria for greatness disproportionately favor those who push for and achieve...
I don't know how to reconcile Buddhist teachings with the realities of international politics and war. Given the current state of world affairs, I wonder if it's truly possible to practice the precepts or the four immeasurables if you'...
This past Monday, I attended an incredible talk by Sebene Selassie, delivered at the people of color sitting group at New York Insight Meditation Center. I was so touched and inspired by it, and so I thought I’d riff on it for this...
As a posturing aggressive flamboyant art star with a bad attitude, Terence Koh is an artist I generally ignore. As a clear and beautiful meditative arts practitioner, Terence Koh is very moving and inspirational.
The New York Times reported this morning that the Dalai Lama will retire from his position as the leader of the Tibetan government in exile. Essentially, he's handing over political authority to a leader to be elected next month by Tibetans in...
This weekend a dear friend and I traveled to Madison, Wisconsin to take part in the ongoing protests at the capital. As Ethan has previously reported, tens of thousands of people have been at the capital for weeks now passionately protesting the...
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America is NOT Broke, despite the radical austerity measures and cutbacks being proposed across the country. We are wealthy. This was the message shared when Michael Moore spoke to the tens of thousands of...
Want to join me on a 3-day street retreat this fall? It’s a chance to hang out with a Roshi, to make friends with homeless people, and to feel the liberation of having nothing, like the first Buddhist monks. September 22-25....
