Author: Michael Stevens

The new solar year begins. Many folks make aspirations to accomplish beneficial changes in their lives. Beginning with lofty goals, many resolutions soon fall away—swallowed by old habit patterns. This happens because the underlying...

I am sitting in a tea shop, one of my usual haunts, listening to unfamiliar music bouncing about the red brick walls and mottled concrete floor. I swirl a cup of hot tea between...

Dudjom Rinpoche was a very great householder yogi. He embodied the best of the Dharma yet remained a humble husband, father, and Dharma teacher. As a lama, he inspired thousands to practice pure awareness....

I remember reading a book (more than 30 years ago) entitled, Gratefulness: The Heart of Prayer by Brother David Steindl-Rast. I am reminded every moment of the author’s message. When I chant a mantra,...

We were overwhelmed by the positive response to the previous post. Many people seem to be suffering with regard to the election and need a bit of compassionate sanity. I am happy to offer...

I write this as the election is coming to a close. There is no clear winner yet. I am choosing to post this before the final decision to encourage everyone to generate the mind...

Tarn and I took a desert walk today. We enjoy exploring a section of an ancient river bed that snakes its way through sage, juniper, and rabbit brush far east of Bend. From a...

I hosted 105 trick or treaters by 7:15 pm. After running out of all our organic low sugar items and raiding our camping stash of nut bars, I was exhausted by the feeding frenzy....

D.T. Suzuki often used the phrase, “beginner’s mind.” He was referring to maintaining a fresh, unconditioned approach to meditation and all things. As I am preparing to teach another beginning Buddhism class through the...