Buddhist Women on a Path of Spiritual Awakening
A Wilderness Traveller
All of us can train our minds. When we are driven by lack of wisdom, ill-will, greed or confusion, we live in a wilderness of the mind. In spiritual community, we hold together to blaze a trail through that wilderness, establishing trust and confidence,…
Peace Without Fear – Seven Lights to Freedom
The Buddha teaches us about seven lights to gain true freedom . They are none other than the factors of enlightenment. Three are dynamic skills that deeply cleanse the mind. In turn, these give rise to four ‘septic friendly’ brightening agents that lead us…
Compassion Is Greater Than Fear
Compassion is a strength, a generosity, a joy, a guardian of the mind, a rescue from fear and all forms of suffering, and a fountain of peace. It brings untold benefit both for one who gives it and for one who receives it. Compassion…
Time to Defragment
The Buddha gives us lessons in freeing ourselves but there are critical choices to be made – an emptying out, a readiness, a rising up, a deep yearning for truth. We are compelled to trust so completely to wake up to the peace in…
At the Frontier of Harmlessness – Chop Off the Head of Mara
One who practices true compassion inwardly as well as to others is praised as a superior person, a spiritual warrior on the path of harmlessness. How do we emulate that? Guided by right intention, we abandon the hindrances of the mind and patiently whittle…
This Is Where the Mind Is Liberated
Human beings have that special ability to deeply see and fathom things as they truly are. But we are so impatient. We resist letting go. Clinging, we harm unknowingly and stray from truth, gaining no peace. How can we recover and free ourselves from…
Dedicate Everyday to Someone
Are we able to dedicate our goodness and our practice for the welfare of others? COVID teaches us that if we are not healthy, others are affected, and if the world is not well, then we will also suffer – because we are all…
To Die With A Peaceful Heart
Develop health of the mind. Many who face dire illness and many at the cusp of death overcome their fear or face death fearlessly. How is that possible? Caring for the mind can bring it to peace whereas the health of the body will…
The Basis of Our Happiness
Take refuge and commit to ethical precepts to deepen the purification of virtue within us. This is the basis for true happiness. We take refuge in enlightened wisdom, and in our ability to awaken. We have faith that we can realize that Truth by…
We Will Arrive – Beating a Path to Awakening
How can we beat a path to awakening? Meditate and develop deep, wise insight, training like a spiritual athlete in this new millenium. Like clearing a trail in dense forest, walk it again and again, with strong determination, truly knowing, and enduring difficulties to…
~ Dhammapada Verse 54