When I found out several years ago that I had a chronic disease, it was difficult for me to accept. There would be things I would be limited in doing and gradually there became things that I could no longer do. It was difficult knowing that a lot of things that brought me joy [...]
But the biggest revelation hit my heart hard and turned me inside out. I just didn’t have the will or the fervor to make “the right” noise. This change in persona has been a long time in the making. Call it old age, or ageless wisdom but to add more agitation to the already [...]
In a life where I have little control of many things, I've found a level of trust to inwardly (and now outwardly) say, yes, I felt a lack in my life and for years; I filled that lack with alcohol. By Andrew Costa This summer, I learned much from a 20-year old in [...]
Lately it is all you hear about, whether gender-based, nationality, faith, or sexual orientation. The ‘anti’ talk comes from many sources, but right now there is one particular politician trumping out divisive language devised to prop up beliefs that one race, one religion (one country) is superior to all others. By J.G. [...]
What would it be like if we let go of this fantasy of a fulfilling partner, this fantasy of a better future, and instead focused on finding fulfillment in the here and now, within ourselves? By Leo Babauta I have a friend who is lonely, who has such a good heart [...]
By Carmelene Melanie Siani "Look!" David exclaimed. Up in the air in front of us was a huge multi-colored bird swooping and soaring in the wind. Was it some kind of sea bird? Was it even real? No! It was a kite. A big, beautiful bird kite that twisted and dipped and "flew" in the [...]
Even though Dudeism is a wink and nod enterprise, there's a deceptive depth to the philosophies behind it. It takes the best of the world's religions and philosophies and leaves the rest, and it's still becoming---always becoming. Abiding is itself a deceptively simple concept until it's no longer a concept but an actuality. It's [...]
A goth, a young mother, a vegan and a hunter were all occupying space together under the watchful eyes of monks. We had nothing in common, and yet we were able to sit silently, and support each other's practice. It was beautiful. By Alex Chong Do Thompson A few months ago, I [...]
How much happier would we be if we only step back from the rat race and confusion and focus on what is really important in life? By Deb Avery Is there a secret to living a happy life? I think so. And I think that secret is in keeping things simple. Animals and [...]
A historical Soto Zen Buddhist named Gikai once said: “Dignified manner is the Buddha Dharma; decorum is the essential teaching.” I was jarred when I first read this, and I didn’t understand. How could Buddhist practice be reduced to what sounded like simply “acting nice” or “sitting up straight?” Once I was covered in [...]