Valentine’s Day is the designated push for sweethearts. It's a day for heart-shaped boxes, long-stemmed roses, and cute cards. Every February 14th, we flock to florists and chocolatiers like ducks to water in order to engage in what has become the almost ritualistic practice of honoring an individual (or individuals) we romantically admire. But what [...]
In yoga and meditation this morning, as I wrapped my arm around my waist from behind, I hugged myself. Yoga teachers call this "bound." After today, I will always think of it as "hugged." I felt awash in love for myself, for continuing to practice meditation and yoga day after day after day, even when [...]
Bodhisattva. For the non-Buddhist, it is almost certainly a foreign term. Maybe you recall the name of an old Steely Dan album, at best. Put simply, bodhisattva is “a Sanskrit term for anyone or anything motivated by great compassion.” It is a combination of two separate Sanskrit concepts: Bodhi—meaning awakening or enlightenment Sattva—meaning existence, reality [...]
The integration of The Twelve Steps with Buddhism has become increasingly popular, as mindfulness continues to cross over from "spiritual philosophy" to practical, every day self-care. This morning, it dawned on me that the words Buddha spoke upon his awakening were very much like those of people in 12 Step programs who have taken the 2nd [...]
It is uncanny how many people I meet who had early childhood trauma. It’s not just patients in my office, it’s people I meet in casual conversation. I mention Jizo & Chibi, and the moment I start telling them about Chibi — the inner child, the infant self — they open up and tell me [...]
I had a remarkable exchange recently with a Canadian woman who bid on one of my Noble Jizo’s during Shambhala Sun’s auction, Bidding for Good. It made me wonder what each of us is giving birth to at the present moment… and what may be gestating within us that would like to be born. [...]
Teaching children to meditate is easier than teaching adults. Children like consistency. We are the ones who usually introduce inconsistency to them at a very early age. Nobody is perfect, right? Rather than sitting and breathing in a circle, start the meditation process with a child by walking back and forth through a hallway or [...]
