In the two weeks since our 2016 presidential election, many people have been experiencing fear and anger. I can understand why given the words of inequality, prejudices, and disregard for our precious planet. My heart feels for every person who is experiencing fear or anger or separation. To be honest, I didn’t think this would

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Maybe you’ve experienced this before: you set out with good intentions – being kind to your mom, having patience with your child, being kind and accepting of people in your life, committed to meditation every day, enjoying the mundane like washing the dishes or mowing the lawn, but something happens.  Instead, you find yourself saying something reactive and

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I was on the phone the other day with my brother. We don’t talk much, haven’t much, until the last couple of years, when I realized my family is really important to me and I want us to be closer. I taunted him as an older sister growing up – calling him names like, “stupid,

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This week, after the first night teaching a meditation class of a 4 week series on opening the heart, I saw there was a message on my phone. I listened. It was from a woman who called just before class to get directions to the center so she could attend. I returned her call the

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Our brains like lists and stages to give us some kind of idea of where we are and where we’re heading. In Zen Buddhism, it’s the 10 Ox-Herding pictures. According to Rick Hanson, in his book, The Buddha’s Brain, there are 4. Both can be helpful. But first, let me back up to a universal

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You know when you have those moments where you did something or said something, and then immediately cringe at what just came from you. Or realize later it wasn’t the most “skillful” moment of your life? I had one of those moments this week.  I call those my Medusa moments. In Greek mythology she’s described

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The long answer is “YES.” Yes, yes, and yes. ANYTHING can be used to escape from what we feel in the body. Including meditation. And the entire spiritual path. “I’ll just say my prayers, do my mantras, meditate, wish good will to the world… but don’t ask me to call my brother I haven’t talked

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I got some news I didn’t like. I was pissed. But I didn’t let it show. After all, anger isn’t a nice, lady like thing to show. I don’t get angry. So I reached in the cupboard for a box of cookies. “Ahhh, that’s better.” I thought.  And then it happened again. I was pissed.

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I was 38 years old when I forgave my dad.  Did he actually do anything “wrong?” My little girl voice said he did – up until that moment. I spent almost 30 years wanting him to be different than he was. To be loved different than I was loved. To be given attention like I

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Do you struggle with conflict like I do? Do you run and hide or stay silent so you don’t have to get in an argument with someone?  That was me to a tee. It use to work pretty well for me. I just ran away (avoided) and then didn’t deal. Done.  But the side affect?

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