"Hatred, jealousy and excessive attachment cause suffering and agitation. I feel that, again, it is compassion that can help you overcome these to move into a calm state of mind. Compassion is not being kind to your friend. That is attachment...
My sophomore year in college I proclaimed myself “an Aristotelian.” Beyond thinking the moniker would impress a certain class of women, I had read the philosopher’s theory of “the golden mean,” that is, a...
This week, IDP activism director Adreanna Limbach interviews Stuart Moody and Beth Terry of the Green Sangha, a San Francisco Bay Area based group working to advance spiritually grounded environmental activism. This is the first of a three part...
In Getting Unstuck, Pema Chodron talks about scratching the itch. The itch is all the discomfort of being; from the itchy leg during meditation to the stinging itch of aloneness, sadness or anxiety. We find these things unbearable, like a crazy...
I have been playing with something in my mind for the last week or so. It may be obvious to most, and maybe some people have forgotten it, but it something I have been really trying to be aware of as I go through my day. In our fast...
last week was my girl's 25th birthday. it was riotous fun at the neighborhood gay bar for karaoke night. abby completely outdid herself, and sang her face off. amazing. i completely outdid myself also and drank to wiiiin. and the next day,...
"Two years ago I set out on a quest: To sift through the myriad of practice opportunities available to a 21st century American Buddhist and find a spiritual path that I could call home."
The challenge this week: to practice metta (loving kindness meditation) while being catcalled on the streets of New York City.
“Hey, sexy!”
“Good morning, ma.”
“Sexy.” “Sexy.” “Sexy....
The Games for Change festival ran last week, June 20-22, in New York City. It centered on the idea of online games encouraging progressive social change. Interdependence in action!
Somewhat improbably, Al Gore gave the keynote. (He's been in...
A man is riding on top of a horse that is galloping by frantically, as if he has to be somewhere important, as soon as possible. A bystander sees this and asks the man,“Where are you going?”
“I don’t know,...
How many times have you said this? Or thought this? Or been told this? I know you and you'll never change. She'll never learn. He'll always be a drunk. I'll always be fat. I...
What is the funtion of the bow in meditation practice? What does it say about our view of self and other? Is it submission or surrender? Is there a difference?
Last month, the IDPoC group met up on a Friday evening...
Sitting on the cushion, watching my mind lets me see that there is a gap – however infinitesimal – between the stimulus and the response. If I am aware enough to notice the gap, I can then choose how to react: to mouth off, to back off...
My girlfriend and I got into a fight last night because she says I’m a slob and that meditators should be more “mindful” of their living quarters. What would Sid say about that? – Messy Jessie
In the movie X-Men: First Class, a prequel in which we meet the younger, more innocent versions of the characters from the later movies, the ever-wise and telepathic Charles Xavier (later known as Professor X) coaches Erik -- the vengeful, angry...
The sound of my alarm at 5:30AM, causes a slight dread on the three or for mornings that I know I am getting up to go sell fruit and vegetables. The day is eleven hours, constant significant proof of the existence of suffering and impermanence.
"He has not defended the science against the ongoing withering and dishonest attacks. Nor has he provided a presidential venue for the scientific community ... to bring the reality of the science before the public."
My question this week: is it possible to experience joy in not getting what you want? Or, to turn the sword of inquisition around, how can I personally have joy in my life while not getting what I want?
And what would happen if I...
Does life ever get easier? Short answer: no. I realize that doesn’t sound altogether yogic. Not to mention, I have often waxed poetic on how living through difficulties is the fertile soil of new possibilities. ...
I spent much of last week dealing with an aging and difficult relative, who said some very unkind things to and about me. Although I understand she is very sick and acting from confusion and suffering, her words dredged...
