LIBERATION FROM OUR STRUGGLE WITH FEAR
.... and Life Coaching with Joe
MONDAYS 7pm (et) - new link!
When we talk about joy, we think of moments of pure happiness. But, it is said that joy is deeper than simple happiness. Happiness exists in the absence of suffering, even if that absence is temporary. We are happy for the moment. And moments of happiness are very important for stress release and building mental … Read the rest
ACCEPTANCE, THE GATEWAY TO THE PATH
The Buddhist path is said to be vast and profound. Profound refers to the notion that the teachings reach below surface standard cognition penetrating to the depths of our being into our human experience. Vast refers to the many manifestations that the Buddhist journey takes and the many … Read the rest
HOW TO GET EVERYTHING YOU WANT
From the moment we first cried out for our bottle to the time we sidled up next to someone at the bar hoping to have them buy us a drink, we’ve learned to manipulate our world. More specifically, we’ve learned to manipulate our feelings in order to manipulate others … Read the rest
PATIENCE, THE KEY TO SYNCHRONICITY
Learning to work with anxiety is an important practice for anyone trying to maintain mindful balance in their lives. How often are we thrown off-course in life due to reacting unmindfully when prompted by our fear. Something feels wrong, and before we can look into what that may be, … Read the rest
The unreliable narrator is a technique used by writers to tell their story from a point of view that is changing, altered, or diminished in some respect. This creates a sense of un-ease in the reader. However, despite its temporal unreliability, this technique often reads as organic as it feels closer to how our minds … Read the rest
WITHOUT WARNING
For Bobby Hughes, and All of Us
The Buddhist teaching on impermanence is central to the idea of valuing the present moment. We have so little time left. And, for many of us, that time can be taken at any moment without warning. None of us know exactly when the end will … Read the rest
SADNESS
The journey that unfolds through our meditation practice begins with acceptance. We accept where we are in the present and, returning to the breath, we are returning to the heart of our experience. In this way, we are accepting each moment. In time, with consistent practice, we train the mind to accept our … Read the rest
WORKING WITH ANGER
Today we will discuss “anger” and their drama queen sibling “rage.” In the Buddhist tradition, we speak of the wisdom of anger because although anger elicits many unpleasant experiences, there is a clarity and precision at its core. In Buddhism, we see Anger as a manifestation of one of the “Five … Read the rest
THE POWER OF HUMILITY
The word humility conjures the idea of humiliation. This judgement stems from a defensive ego-mind that sees any diminishment to its powers as a threat. If we quiet the shouting and listen, are we giving up ground that can allow the enemy to advance? But what enemy is that, exactly?… Read the rest
THE NEXT STEP
I was waiting at the top of the steps leading down to the front door at Gampo Abbey Monastery. It was a typically cold wet March Nova Scotia morning. A number of us had been lined up waiting in the rain for some time. Finally, we got the call that Sakyong Mipham … Read the rest
