October 2014 full moon – viriya / heroic energy

Viriya: persistence; energy; vigour; courageous effort; heroic exertion I recently had the good fortune to sit a two-week retreat offered by Gil Fronsdal at the Insight Retreat Center near Santa Cruz, California.  As Gil led us deeper and deeper into one of the core texts on mindfulness of breathing, the Anapanasati Sutta, I again foundContinue reading "October 2014 full moon – viriya / heroic energy"

September 2014 full moon – equanimity part 2

Equanimity: Evenness of mind Last month I wrote a bit about equanimity, and how the possibility of not holding on to changing experiences can offer a sense of ease, even in the middle of difficult circumstances.  So this quality of equanimity can be a kind of refuge, but - at least in my own experienceContinue reading "September 2014 full moon – equanimity part 2"

August 2014 full moon – Equanimity

Gain/loss, status/disgrace, censure/praise, pleasure/pain: these conditions among human beings are inconstant, impermanent, subject to change. Knowing this, the wise person, mindful, ponders these changing conditions. Desirable things don't charm the mind, undesirable ones bring no resistance. His [or her] welcoming and rebelling are scattered, gone to their end, do not exist. Knowing the dustless, sorrowlessContinue reading "August 2014 full moon – Equanimity"

July 2014 full moon – Hatred never ceases by hatred …

          Hatred never ceases by hatred, but by love alone is healed. This is an ancient and eternal law. quoted in "The Places That Scare You: A Guide to Fearlessness in Difficult Times" by Pema Chödrön 2001 Hatred never ends through hatred.  By non-hatred alone does it end.  This is anContinue reading "July 2014 full moon – Hatred never ceases by hatred …"

4 July 2014 – celebrating two years of “homelessness”

Just realised today is the second anniversary since I had to leave the US, which means I've been technically homeless and living out of this suitcase (the silver sub) for two years now!  Sending much gratitude to all the people who have given me a roof over my head - thanks to all of you,Continue reading "4 July 2014 – celebrating two years of “homelessness”"

Danish retreat with Joseph Goldstein and Uffe Damborg, June 2014

A view of Kerteminde harbour Just wanted to share a few photo souvenirs from this retreat, which took place last week on the outskirts of Kerteminde, an old fishing village a couple of hours from Copenhagen.  The retreat was led by Joseph Goldstein and Uffe Damborg, who have known each other for over forty years,Continue reading "Danish retreat with Joseph Goldstein and Uffe Damborg, June 2014"

Brene Brown on shame, vulnerability and compassion

Australian echidna not enjoying having its photo taken Recently I've offered a couple of retreats and courses exploring the theme of "Transforming Poison into Medicine - working with the mind's difficult energies."   That phrase about "poison and medicine" was borrowed from a chapter in a book by Pema Chodron, an American nun in the TibetanContinue reading "Brene Brown on shame, vulnerability and compassion"

Reflections on the Brahma Vihara practices

This article (with minor amendments) was first published in the March 2014 BMIMC newsletter. Since returning to Australia and New Zealand from the United States eighteen months ago, I've been teaching several weekend retreats, day-long workshops and evening classes in New South Wales and Auckland.  Alongside the insight meditation practice, I've usually included some focusContinue reading "Reflections on the Brahma Vihara practices"

Insight Meditation weekend – Auckland, New Zealand

This weekend's insight meditation retreat at St Francis Retreat Centre in Auckland was blessed by good weather, good food, good friends - and good singing and chanting, courtesy of a Pasifika dance group on Saturday and a Hindu meditation group on Sunday!  Much gratitude to everyone who contributed to providing such powerful conditions for theContinue reading "Insight Meditation weekend – Auckland, New Zealand"