All entries filed under this archive
Mudra Musings: Its Reasons and Its Beings – HIGHLIGHT
by Vicky Moyle Chaos and Vastness Mudra’s connection to a sense of chaos is very interesting. A system is called chaotic if small changes in the initial conditions at some initial time lead to large differences at some later time. That seems to very much apply to a ... continuePosted October 13, 2020 by archives-staff
Preparing to Die by Andrew Holocek – HIGHLIGHT
Reviewed by Christine Heming Recently several books have appeared written by well-regarded teachers on the Tibetan Buddhist approach to death and dying. These add to a growing collection of teachings, practices and guidance for the dying and for their caregivers. One might ask if we need yet ... continuePosted September 18, 2020 by archives-staff
Mudra: A Tool for Chaos – HIGHLIGHT
By Craig Warren Smith “Chaos should be regarded as extremely good news…Chaos is the great space of emptiness that occurs before genesis. … This space provides an opportunity to reconnect with what lies under the chaos and negativity — inherent awakened nature. Another way chaos is good ... continuePosted September 11, 2020 by archives-staff
A Few Thoughts About Karma and Reincarnation – HIGHLIGHT
Photo by Anastasia Zhenina on Unsplash by Bob Siegel The Buddhist law of karma emphasizes cause and effect. Our actions have consequences and these consequences in turn affect who we are. This does not negate free will. We can change those consequences by changing our behavior and thereby ... continuePosted August 25, 2020 by archives-staff
Primordial Grace by Robert and Rachel Olds – HIGHLIGHT
a book review by Don Beamish In 1997 artists Robert and Rachel Olds felt the call to enter into a meditation retreat that lasted for nine years and changed their lives forever. It is quite clear that they emerged from retreat with profound realization. Primordial Grace: Earth, ... continuePosted July 10, 2020 by archives-staff
Spacious Minds by Sara E. Lewis – HIGHLIGHT
From Cornell University Press Review by Shastri Steve Gleich Have you ever wondered what it would be like to grow up and live in a Buddhist culture? Would you view the truths of the dharma as common sense? One would be indeed fortunate to be part of a ... continuePosted June 16, 2020 by archives-staff
Dakini Power by Michaela Haas – HIGHLIGHT
A review by Christine Heming Michaela Haas has shared with us her “labor of love” by honoring the lives and accomplishments of twelve female pioneers of Buddhism in the West . . . and these are remarkable women. As individuals they are direct, determined, sharp, humorous, courageous ... continuePosted May 4, 2020 by archives-staff
Good Society Part II: Feeling the Goodness – HIGHLIGHT
Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash The second part of a two-part series by Shastri Russell Rodgers. For part one, click here. In Part I of this two-part essay, we looked at the genetics behind the universal human impulse to create good society. The logic was this: everywhere ... continuePosted November 15, 2019 by archives-staff
The Great Within – The Transformative Power and Psychology of the Spiritual Path – HIGHLIGHT
Christine Heming reviews the new book by Han F. de Wit, PhD. Han de Wit’s story has a familiar ring – the pursuit of Western psychology in the 1970’s only to find it offered little to those who wanted to study and understand the mind. Fortunately for ... continuePosted October 31, 2019 by archives-staff
Buddha’s Teachings Regarding Cleanliness in the Home – HIGHLIGHT
Photo by Samantha Gades on Unsplash By “Jackie Writing Jackie” Mental health professionals often encourage their patients to keep their homes clean and tidy. Cluttered, dirty interiors can interfere with mental health and wellbeing and hamper the peaceful, mindful state that is encouraged by the Shambhala way of life. One of ... continuePosted October 24, 2019 by archives-staff
Human Drala – HIGHLIGHT
Photo by Jacek Dylag on Unsplash By Russell Rodgers Sometimes one encounters people or places that cut through one’s habitual chain of thoughts. The Tibetan word for that is “drala”, which means “above the enemy”. In this case the enemy is our cocoon of gossipy thoughts that keeps ... continuePosted October 17, 2019 by archives-staff
Meditation Practice to Help You Through Dental Treatment – HIGHLIGHT
By “Jackie Writing Jackie” Anxiety about dental treatment and fear of the dentist affects 16% of people. For many, it causes so much worry that they avoid going for a checkup, or getting work done when they really need to. In the long term, this can be bad for ... continuePosted October 2, 2019 by archives-staff
Cutting Through Spiritual Puritanism – HIGHLIGHT
Illustration by Alicia Brown This article was originally published on Nov. 27, 2018 on The Arrow: A Journal of Wakeful Society, Culture & Politics Written by Gabe Dayley In the West it is difficult for the Dharma to take root. The soil is not fertile. The good and evil, fire ... continuePosted September 23, 2019 by archives-staff
Favorite Books: An Invitation to Readers of the Times – HIGHLIGHT
If you haven’t fully embraced the digital age (like me) and enjoy holding a book in your hands, you probably have to keep scouting out more shelf space (me too). Then there is the dilemma of how to organize the increasing treasure trove. I’ll share my ... continuePosted September 10, 2019 by archives-staff
Book Review: In Love With the World – HIGHLIGHT
In Love With the World: A Monk’s Journey Through the Bardos of Living and Dying by Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche with Helen Tworkov Reviewed by Christine Heming If you do not recognize the truth of impermanence, you cannot attain genuine realization. You must allow the illusion of ego to die. ... continuePosted August 20, 2019 by archives-staff