Category: Dharma Journal

Spiritual Friend

When I experience a student with sincere fearless interest in the Dharma, much transpires in that relationship which transcends the simple meeting of two humans. It is like a doorway to the vast expanse...

Mirror to the Light—Part II: Meditation

I am often asked why we do not spend more time in silent meditation at our center. The simple answer is that silent meditation was never emphasized by my teachers. It was only a...

Mirror to the Light—Part I: Visualization

For those of us born and raised in the West, one of the more challenging aspects of Vajrayana Buddhism is visualization practice. Our minds are heavily influenced by a need for empirical, verifiable data....

Nothing has Changed—Inauguration Day

“Even if the sun rises in the west, the way of the bodhisattva is the same.”  –Suzuki Roshi Many folks are challenged by the reality of a Trump presidency. But, from the perspective of...

Snow Dharma

My muscles are whining as snow continues to fall. So much shoveling! But the burning ache is only a sign to stop for a moment and soak in the beauty of a landscape draped...

Re-solution

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...

Saying Goodbye

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...

Laying Down Our Faults: Returning of the Light

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....

Gratitude and Patience

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,...