This talk is supposed to be about transformation. In Buddhism, transformation usually refers to the movement from suffering to the relief of suffering. Or possibly from the confused state of our usual life to the awakened state of a buddha. I don’t even know where to start with such a thing! But I can tell … Continue reading Why I Smile So Much 

How do we find Right Action in the face of what we perceive as evil? Perhaps more importantly, how do we find Right Intention in that space? Where does Equity fit in? “Everyone wants justice,” the young man said to me, as if that were a foregone conclusion. “I am not interested in justice; I … Continue reading “Justice” and “Equity”

Kindness, compassion, shared joy and inclusiveness. According to Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, these four qualities are the four basic elements of True Love. These are qualities we can understand. They are qualities we can cultivate, nurture and grow, until they embrace the whole world. I would like to share some of the nuances of … Continue reading The Four Basic Elements of True Love

I’ve been thinking about Mystery, and what kind of mysteries I might find inside Buddhism. I decided that Enlightenment, also known as Awakening, is a pretty mysterious subject. What is it, anyway? How do you reach it? What’s the process? Is there a process? They say that those who know, don’t say; and those who … Continue reading Mysterious Awakening

“Generosity is complete in itself; there is no need for any other reward than having made others happy.” “If you are truly generous, you will be free of all difficulties and will possess whatever wealth you need to carry out altruistic deeds.” These two quotes from Dilgo Khyentse offer a glimpse at the first Buddhist paramita (“perfection … Continue reading Generosity: The First Step in Perfecting Wisdom

I would like to offer a deep practice of honoring our ancestors called “Touching the Earth.” This guided meditation brings our attention to three lines of ancestry: our genetic/blood ancestors, our spiritual ancestors, and our land ancestors.  Both joy and suffering regarding our ancestors are recognized. It is a beautiful practice. Service will be both … Continue reading Touching Our Ancestors

There are many ways to welcome animals into our life. We can enjoy animals outdoors in nature, eat vegetarian food, and choose to not poison ants or swat mosquitoes. Up close and personal to many of us is sharing our homes and our lives with one or more pets. Having a pet in your home … Continue reading Welcoming Animals Into Our Life/Blessing of the Animals

Buddhism talks about “non-self.” What is that?  It’s a tricky question, and really hard to answer, especially in a language so full of words like I, me and mine. So instead of answering the question, let’s play a little with our “self-talk” around feelings. What words do we use when we feel anger or physical … Continue reading Playing with Non-Self   

What is the relationship between the individual and the collective? Between self and other? Between a piece of paper and the whole earth? Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh teaches us to look deeply into a sheet of paper to discover all that is in there. I love sharing this way of looking at the Buddhist … Continue reading Emptiness, Fullness, and the Piece of Paper   

In February, Bucky Beach Spoke about “explaining” stories, and about the Christian understanding of suffering. He asked, “What if we got the story wrong?” and said he would like this conversation to continue. I would like to pick up on this thread from the Buddhist perspective, sharing a classic “explaining” story, and offering my own … Continue reading “Explaining” Stories: Buddhist Understanding of Suffering