The Sinking Boat
The Amazing Power of Grace By Michelle Hobby It was 1986 when I went with a group of doctors and nurses to Haiti on a medical mission trip. Tensions were high with the turmoil related to their dictator Papa Doc’s regime. We were surrounded by guards wi… Read more »
What Does Awareness Mean to You?
Sangha Members Share At one of our group meditation sessions, sangha members shared their reflections on the experience of bare awareness. Here’s a list of their contributions. Awareness is… seeing through the eyes of a newborn. not getting caught up… Read more »
Remember R.A.I.N. When You Feel Overwhelmed
The R.A.I.N. approach, originally developed by senior mindfulness teacher Michele McDonald, is a great tool to utilize in your Mindfulness/Vipassana practice. Use it when you’re overwhelmed and need to regather your inner resources to respond rather th… Read more »
200 x 200 and the Girl in the Well
By Paul Hibschman There are (supposedly) 200 billion stars in a galaxy and 200 billion galaxies. That is an unfathomable number with a four followed by 18 zeros, or commonly written: 4 x 1018 . That does not count planets or any dark matter or other u… Read more »
Are You Angry?
Many of us gravitate towards and feel safe around the “Mary Poppins” of this world – those people known for their sweet, angelic, and “appropriate” behavior. Similarly, we tend to frown upon and judge those who act out their anger “inappropriately.” So… Read more »
Generosity and Wise Giving
A dharma presentation on dana, or “generosity,” was followed by a rich group discussion in our sangha. Sangha attendees explored their beliefs about generosity and the value it holds in their lives. One man commented, “Sometimes I feel guilty and fear… Read more »
Buddhist Meditation Practice – Serious or Happy?
Gotama Buddha is historically portrayed as a young prince over 2500 years ago, in what is now known as India, who saw the reality of human suffering so deeply that he left his kingdom with a vow to discover the end to this cycle of unavoidable human st… Read more »
Using Mindfulness to Navigate the “Holiday Blues”
For many, the Holiday season is one of great joy, sharing and togetherness. Along with joy, however, this season has also been known to set up the perfect conditions for darker and more difficult moods to emerge. It is well-known that this season tends… Read more »
Right Action – Samma Kammanto
Also referred to as “Wise Action,” “Ethical Conduct,” or “Right Conduct,” Right Action is one the factors of the Buddhist Noble Eightfold Path. Like the Bible’s Ten Commandments, Right Action consist of moral or ethical rules that, when followed, are m… Read more »
Insight Dialogue with Phyllis Hicks
What a gift it was to have Phyllis Hicks visit and introduce Insight Dialogue to our group. Phyllis discussed the importance of mindfulness in communication with both ourselves and with others. Here are some of the highlights from her presentation: The… Read more »