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Dialogs With My Teacher #55
January 10, 2011 (#55) Student: What is the most enlightened way to communicate with someone who is very difficult? Michael: The same way Ive suggested that you speak to someone who complains a lot; listen deeply and speak from a place of open generosity. Student:...
read moreBill Clinton: Meditator.
While I'm happy for the former presidents choice, I can't help but wonder how a meditation practice might have affected his choices during his presidency. ...in his latest bid to improve his well-being, the Democrat has hired his own personal Buddhist monk to help him...
read moreDialogs With My Teacher #54
January 6, 2011 (#54) Student: If there is no self, who sets goals and where do these goals come from? Michael: Goals arise just as all else arises: from Emptiness. They also eventually die back into Emptiness. This basic rule applies to everything, including the self...
read moreDialogs With My Teacher #53
January 4, 2011 (#53) Student: Can you explain what you mean when you say that our spiritual transition can get ugly when glimpses of the Infinite start to show up? Michael: When the egoic you, or small self, sees that the Infinite You, or Big Self, exists, things can...
read moreBuddhism in the US Surges
This near doubling in the number of self-identified, US Buddhists since 2007 is interesting: A new study by the Pew Forum on Religious and Public Life estimates that between 1 and 1.3 percent of the United States populationbetween 3 and 4 million peopleidentifies as...
read moreWhen spiritual practice deepens, do heart and mind open the same way?
Commuter Zen #89
read moreDialogs With My Teacher #52
December 28, 2010 (#52) Student: What is the difference between knowing and believing? Michael: Both are activities of the mind that can be useful. If, for instance, you know something, you generally have some kind of evidence to back up your mental position. With...
read moreWhich Style of Meditation is Right?
Thought this was cool... SAN FRANCISCO STATE UNIVERSITY Meditation's variations can frustrate or enlighten To the uninformed observer, meditation looks simple: Sit still, seek inner peace, repeat. But meditation can be practiced in a variety of forms, each of which...
read moreHow do we best watch the mind?
Commuter Zen #88
read moreFall Weekend Retreat
Come join us... Cultivating Fearlessness October 12-14, 2012 MOUNT MADONNA CENTER This weekend retreat will offer an approach to living in this way. Each day will involve sitting meditation, walking meditation and dharma talks followed by Q&A, as well as practice...
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