Mar 2012 I had the opportunity to meet Rep. Tim Ryan of Ohio this past month, who is a US Congressman who is advocating for mindfulness as part of the solution to our nations problems. Yes, I am serious, an American politician who is embracing mindfulness! He just wrote a book called “A Mindful Nation”. Along with other mentions of mindfulness these past few months in the NYT, Psychology Today, Scientific American, and more, mindfulness seems to be emerging in mainstream discourse as a topic worthy of discussion. All aboard the mindfulness train in the 21st century!
Category Archives: Modern Life Applications
Slavery and Your Life
Jan 2012 Here’s an interesting (and intense) website that shines the light on the interconnection of our possessions and actions with the human labor that it takes to make them. Like the “carbon footprint” around the environment, this site lets you know how much slave labor is involved in creating the conditions of your life, even if you don’t see it directly.
Trading in humans is one of the professions that is not recommended as a good way to spend your life or something to support (under “Right Livelihood”) .
Check it out. http://slaveryfootprint.org
Generosity vs Consumerism
Dec 2011 It’s hard not to notice the holiday season is upon us, which includes the full court press of consumer culture. It is great to give (and get) gifts, but also to focus on the dimension of generosity involved (as much as the stuff itself). So some reflections for the season: in what way can I be more generous in my life? (Check out this study about the importance of generosity in creating happiness, in this case, happy relationships, recently posted in the New York Times). Is there some area where I can let go of something I am unnecessarily holding onto, whether material things (like clothes I don’t need), emotional patterns (like impatience or jealousy), or the act of clinging itself? The world will be a better place because of it, as will your own heart and mind 🙂
Waking Up As Leaders
Oct 2011 I’m excited to be leading a retreat at Spirit Rock Meditation Center focused on leaders, bringing together all the strands of my work in the world. Developing self-awareness through the tools of mindfulness and compassion is an essential part of being a great and effective leader. The retreat is called “Waking Up as Leaders: Courage and Clarity” which will be held from Jan 24-29, 2012. I recently joined the Spirit Rock Teachers Council and am glad to get a chance to offer this through the center, the first time such a thing has been done there. Come join us if it sounds right for you! Space is limited, so if you are interested, please sign up soon.
Navigating Your Life
Aug 2011 I got the chance to visit some Polynesian Voyaging Canoes as they made their way across the ocean to California, using only ancient techniques of navigation based on the wind, stars, water, birds, fish, waves, etc. The practices of navigation reminded me of how we have to learn to navigate our life…..you can listen to a dharma talk on this here.
Dharma and Technology
Aug 2011 I’ve spent some time this summer clearing out some old boxes of letters from the days in which, well, people actually wrote long handwritten letters! It gave me some appreciation for the time it took to write them, the patience for the letter to arrive, and then the waiting for a response. Technology is great (enables this web communication to take place with people all over the world!) but there is something to be said for taking more time with people, in person or in writing than the speed of email, texting, ot tweeting inclines us towards. So here’s to giving each other full and deep attention in friendships and relationships, whether in conversation or in written correspondence…..try it and see what happens! Here’s a talk I gave on Dharma and Technology.
Dharma of Harry Potter
July 2011 The new Harry Potter film comes out this month, which has shades of dharma practice. The Petronus spell, used to protect oneself from painful horrific Dementors, is much like the protection of metta practice. Harry is supported by his sila or integrity, as he won’t kill others. If you are a fan, keep your eyes out for other similarities! Or even better, come on retreat and develop your own magic powers! In the meantime, here’s a dharma talk about the Dharma of Harry Potter for you…..
Watching News Through Lens of Dharma
Apr 2011: Recently there has been a lot of intense, exciting, and challenging news about our world: revolutions in the Arab world ; earthquake, tsunami and nuclear meltdowns in Japan; and much more. How can we take all this in? Is it possible to make this part of our spiritual practice? I have been reflecting on this recently; here are some of my thoughts (a work in progress)