Sakyong Mipham Rinpoche has just published his fourth major book, The Shambhala Principle, and I’ve been lucky enough to spend a good deal of time reading and rereading my now-wrinkled advanced readers’ copy over the past few...
In light of the Interdependence Project's upcoming Annual Membership meeting, I'd like to share some figures I read today, compiled by the American Association for Fundraising Counsel's 2011 Giving USA report:
Individual donors comprised of 83% of...
THE NOW - It Shows Up Uninvited
But don't worry, we can shield ourselves from "The Now" by watching Channel 4 news! Or at least that's what is implied by this ad.
I’ve been practicing meditation since 2004. I’m aware of the major benefits that my practice and study have had on my life, and I feel good about taking refuge in the Three Jewels — the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. For the past few months, I’...
Welcome to the next Contemplation Station: Barre, Massachusetts. I am being a bit selfish in bringing you here. I am going to an Insight Meditation Society retreat at the end of this week (my first!) and I would like to get to know the lay of the...
Am I everything or am I nothing?Rumor has it that a bunch of students asked Buddha whether there is a self or there is no self. Wisely, he refused to answer.
Where am I not walking the walk?
Dr. Jeffrey Rubin posed this question in the first class of Spiritual Awakening NOT Spiritual Bypassing on Monday night, and inspired me to ask myself.
Sometimes I focus on my successes; when my intention to...
I captured this photo of a trash can in downtown Brooklyn last year. Since then, I have seen these Love Yourself stickers all over New York City. I even found one with the paper still on and stuck it on the back of my phone. I...
In mindfulness meditation we train in shamatha—peaceful abiding. This is basically the ability to hang out with and be curious about our experience, whatever our experience is. Through shamatha, we learn that our experience is valid and worthy.
Dear IDP Community,As our online presence continues to grow, it's important that everyone understands The Interdependence Project website policy. We offer three ways to interact with us online: via the official Blog, through personal Journals...
Starting a new piece of writing is a fantastic opportunity to practice.
A few weeks ago I wrote about how to tackle the smushy blob of too much work. But often when you’re beginning a piece of creative writing, there is no clear path from
When I first started IDP’s Yearlong Immersion Training two years ago, I was intensely consumed with all kinds of doubts and questions about whether or not I would ever be well suited enough to be a dharma teacher. I also wondered if a year was a...
Sitting in a rehearsal studio on Saturday morning with about twenty strangers at a trauma relief training workshop, I found myself wondering about the value of stories. As a writer, that’s an almost blasphemous thing to admit.
But as I...
Sunday evening is the weekend's last hurrah, the time when weekday workers begin to look at the week ahead. It's a perfect time to look at not only what challenges we face but what we bring with us, what we are grateful for. Take a deep breath and...
Apple COO Tim Cook. Frank Lloyd Wright. Tolstoy. The Italian Futurists. What do all these folks have in common? They all set their intentions and wrote them down.
Here’s a snippet from the colorful Italian Futurist Manifesto:
Today I am grateful for:
-- This precious human birth
-- The bodhisattva activists who don't shy away from looking at the world's pain
-- Compassionate space and all those who hold it.
-- Rituals -- like Champagne and celebrations.
-- Always...
Today I am grateful for:
-- Unscheduled time
-- Friends -- and lunch yesterday with one who sparks so much insight and joy in me
-- Life on life's terms.
What are you grateful for? Write it in the comments below or share it on Twitter #...
Today I am grateful for:
-- My brother, whose birthday is today
-- My son, who goes back to his own home today. yikes!
-- new (to me) music.
What are you grateful for? Write it in the comments below or share it on Twitter #idpgratitude
This is a...
Today I am grateful for:
-- Deep thinkers, who frame my thoughts so much more eloquenty than I can
-- the two meditation students who came to class last night despite the snow -- and the warm, settled, centered energy we shared
-- my sweet spouse,...
Today I am grateful for:
-- time together
-- awareness of what arises
-- holiday lights, including stars and planets
What are you grateful for? Write it in the comments below or share it on Twitter #idpgratitude
This is a community space where you...
Today I am grateful for:
-- the world turning
-- being together
-- JRR Tolkein
What are you grateful for? Write it in the comments below or share it on Twitter #idpgratitude
This is a community space where you can list whatever you're grateful for.
