First came the anthropologist of Arctic poverty who found me on Instagram and confided that she was a Jazzercise fanatic. Then the intellectual historian who eloquently introduced herself as an expert on a similarly Serious Topic but rapidly and with sparkling eyes, before any of our fellow conferees entered the elevator, effused that it was […]
When Wellness is a Dirty Word Read More »
In the latest podcast from Dharma Punx NYC, Josh Korda, Buddhist teacher and lifelong activist, shares practical approaches for staying sane while politically engaged. In the 2,500 year old tradition I teach entirely by dana: scraping by entirely on the generous donations of those who listen and get something from the teaching. Please check out
Staying Sane in a Sh*t Show Read More »
It is both human nature and culturally instilled behavior to seek lasting security, happiness and transcendent meaning amidst the roller coaster ride of fleeting conditions: sexy pleasures followed by gastric discomforts, financial gains followed by losses, approval one day, criticism the next; our 15 minutes of fame giving way to insignificance. Just as the youth
The True Goal of the Spiritual Journey Read More »
The following is my adaptation* of the Buddha’s Vitakkasanthana Sutta, roughly “How to Remove Unwanted and Obsessive Thoughts.” There are many wonderful translations available via numerous resources (see my note at bottom), so I urge those interested in learning more about this practice to review other versions. I’ve focused on creating a version that is
How to Remove Unwanted and Obsessive Thoughts Read More »
From earliest infancy and continuing throughout life, humans seek secure relationships with others that will provide enough security to allow us to explore the world around us without feeling alone and vulnerable. Supported by others, we don’t fall back on fight-flight-or-freeze programming, nor allow basic survival concerns, such as finding the next meal, to dominate
Finding Authentic Meaning for Life Read More »
There are times in life when it becomes difficult to swallow our anger, frustration or disappointment that have resulted from loss and abandonment. Opening to feelings we’ve attempted to suppress will become necessary, which is by no means easy. Disagreeable feelings are sensed as physical discomfort, along with a secondary layer of obsessive, repetitive memories
Healing Loss Through Mindfulness Read More »
What exactly is happiness? How do we find it and why do we so often miss it? And how can yoga help us discover a personal path that will guide us? For years, I wouldn’t even entertain the idea of trying yoga. My impression was that yoga was the territory of lithe, Paltrowy girls and snobby
Sam Chase on Yoga and the Pursuit of Happiness Read More »