As some of you may know, there is a great deal of trauma being exposed in the world of Shambhala where I have studied and practiced Buddhism for more than 20 years. It centers on the clergy sexual abuse perpetrated by Sakyong Mipham, the lineage-holder. The stories of abuse are captured here in a report from Andrea Winn’s Project Sunshine,... READ MORE
Dear friends, students, and Shambhala Sangha, If you haven’t heard, the head of my Shambhala lineage has been accused of clerical sexual abuse. The community is reeling. Whether you are in the Open Heart Project community or are a fellow Shambhala practitioner, I want to share with you my own thoughts and feelings about what is going on. First, thank... READ MORE
…and I could not be more excited. Can’t wait to share it with you. I hope you will find it inspiring, useful, and real. It is about what it really takes to open your heart in a love relationship. We are self-publishing this, y’all. I wrote this book for us specifically. Every single decision that has gone into creating it... READ MORE
The meditation begins at 10:32 Audio only version is here. Hello, dear meditator. How are you? I hope you are well and feeling happy. Basically everyone I have ever known finds it difficult to be consistent with their practice and, further, basically everyone thinks this is because they lack discipline. I suggest that this is probably not the issue. Before... READ MORE
The meditation begins at 9:17 Audio only version is here. Hello, dear meditator. How are you? I hope you are well and feeling happy. In the U.S., this is Thanksgiving weekend. For many of us, this means time with family–which can also mean time with people who make you angry/sad/confused/irritated…triggered. We meditate to practice generosity, patience, and equanimity. How do... READ MORE
The meditation begins at 6:13 Audio only version is here. Hello, dear meditator. Without knowing (most of) you, I feel pretty confident in saying that you are working really, really hard to create more happiness for yourself and those you love. In fact, given all of the complexities of your history and your current life (not to mention planet earth),... READ MORE
The meditation begins at 4:58 Audio only version is here. Hello, dear meditator. Before today’s meditation, I offer you a suggestion for working with painful thoughts. It is a short, simple exercise you can do anytime, anywhere, on the spot. I use it constantly. Let me know if you try it! This suggestion comes directly from the work of a... READ MORE
The meditation begins at 7:15 Audio only version is here. Hello dear meditators. It is great to see you! In meditation, we bring mindfulness to three aspects of our existence. First, we are mindful of our bodies in the way we establish the meditation posture. Second, we become mindful of breath by allowing our attention to ride the breath. Finally,... READ MORE
The meditation begins at 7:09 Audio only version can be found here. Hello and welcome to your practice. It is great to practice together! Before today’s 10-minute sit, I offer you a very simple definition of discipline. Though it is not easy to be disciplined, it is predicated on one very simple gesture that you can make within your own mind.... READ MORE
The meditation begins at 7:01 Audio only version is here. Hello! I am so happy to see you and to offer this week’s meditation. How do you know what is right for you in terms of meditation styles and spiritual practices? There is a lot to consider and there are many options. Some Before today’s 10-minute sit I offer some... READ MORE
The meditation begins at 8:47 Audio-only version can be downloaded here. Hello to everyone in the Open Heart Project. I am so happy we can practice together. Before this week’s sit, I offer you some thoughts on the four qualities that, according to Buddhist thought, you possess in immeasurable quantity: loving kindness, compassion, sympathetic joy, and equanimity. In this video, I talk... READ MORE
The meditation begins at 4:49 Audio only version is here. Hello, dear meditators. I think you are very brave. I think this because you are willing to look at your mind through the practice of meditation. Thank you. As you may be aware, over the last six weeks, we have looked at each of the six paramitas, or transcendent actions.... READ MORE
