These past 32 years of recovery from drug/alcohol addiction, combined with 16 years of Buddhist training at Shasta Abbey have provided opportunities for insight into ways of offering myself compassion for particular karmic conditions. Recently I resolved a perceived conflict … Continue reading →
I work as a community occupational therapist. The word therapist comes from an ancient root, dhr, meaning ‘to uphold/maintain’, which also gives us Dharma. Discovering this connection has brought something into focus for me about the inseparableness of my daily … Continue reading →
An extract from Returning to Stillness: Zen Training in Everyday Life When we’re at a crossroads at twilight, unfamiliar with the terrain, it can be difficult to see which way to go. If a storm is signaling its arrival, there … Continue reading →
This is an assorted collection of reflections on the spirit and essence of Bowing. The scriptures tell us that when there is no more bowing there will be no more Buddhism. That statement makes plain how significant the heart and … Continue reading →
Here are some of the questions I often hear beginning meditators ask: How often should I meditate? How many times a day? Why couldn’t I empty my mind? What should be happening? Here are questions I—a slightly more experienced meditator—often … Continue reading →
One of the most interesting developments during my time as a clinical psychologist over the past 30 years has been the mainstream acceptance of mindfulness-based therapy. This has enabled me to apply the experience of my personal meditation practice into … Continue reading →
This article is based on a lecture I gave at Shasta Abbey in August 2012 as part of a week-long retreat. This lecture was based on An Outline of Practice by Bodhidharma. This describes four practices that encompass all of … Continue reading →
I was in my mid-forties when I became a monk. I had been married for some years previously and later had two other relationships. Without my especially thinking about it, my view of these relationships, especially my part in them, … Continue reading →
I spent this January at Throssel for the winter Sangha retreat. I have been training for years but had never had a chance to stay for such a long period. I have generally just been for sesshins and weekends, which … Continue reading →
Recently at a meditation group meeting we had a discussion on the difficulties of caring for others. Several people in the group had been looking after elderly relatives, or were still doing so, and we looked at why
Continue reading →