“Obstacles do not block the path, they are the path.” ~Zen proverb
I thought the concept of a “cold sweat” was unreal and paradoxical until the evening of August 27, 2014. That was my first cold sweat. My first of …
Hi friends! Since we’re well into December now, I imagine many of you may be either starting or rounding out your holiday shopping. If you’re not yet familiar with Backpack Buddha, I highly recommend checking them out!
What I …
“Don’t be afraid of death; be afraid of an unlived life. You don’t have to live forever; you just have to live.” ~Natalie Babitt
Once a month, I visit the local cemetery and walk around. I’m not there to visit …
Hi friends! I’m excited to share that I’ve recently launched a new selection of shirts and iPhone cases on Tiny Buddha, with five new designs—meaning nine in total—just in time for the holiday season!
I’m also happy to share that …
“Our spiritual mission is not to ignore the darkness, but to bring light to the darkness.” ~Marianne Williamson
It’s 3:17AM. You’ve been staring at the clock since 1:42AM, mind racing, body tense. In five hours you’re going to have to …
“You will never be free until you free yourself from the prison of your own false thoughts.” ~Philip Arnold
Do you ever doubt yourself? As if no matter how hard you try, it’s never enough.
Do you always tell yourself …
“Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally.” ~Jon Kabat-Zinn
I met Damon as one of about twenty ex-cons on a hiking expedition up Pike’s Peak. Like the others, he was kind …
“You can have your experience without your experience having you.” ~Linda Pransky
You’re no doubt aware that your moods can fluctuate from day to day, even moment to moment. I think most people can appreciate, when they really consider it, …
“A good rule of thumb is that any environment that consistently leaves you feeling bad about who you are is the wrong environment.” ~Laurie Helgoe
Do you ever worry that if you fulfill your needs you will disappoint others? Do …
I am a hospice chaplain.
I provide spiritual care to the dying and their families.
I do this by being present with …
“Insight is not a light bulb that goes off inside our heads. It is a flickering candle that can easily be snuffed out.” ~Malcolm Gladwell, Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking
If there is just one thing I would …
“Life is change. Growth is optional. Choose wisely.” ~Karen Kaiser Clark
Throughout my life, I’ve moved countries, studied a foreign language, changed careers, launched a business, run a half marathon, written a book, faced agonizing loss and grief, won …
“If you want to conquer the anxiety of life, live in the moment, live in the breath.” ~Amit Ray
I’ve battled chronic anxiety and PTSD my entire life and am no stranger to that tight pressure grip that dread and …
“You are strong for getting out of bed in the morning when it feels like hell. You are brave for doing things even though they scare you or make you anxious. And you are amazing for trying and holding on …
“Patience is not the ability to wait, but the ability to keep a good attitude while waiting.” ~Joyce Meyer
I used to say, “Patience is a virtue I don’t have.” So, of course, that is how I lived my life. …
“Striving for excellence motivates you, striving for perfection is demoralizing.” ~Harriet Braiker
The last three months I’ve been trying an experiment. It’s something that I’ve never done before, and in a certain way, it’s been a huge challenge. However, in …
“The human mind is a relational and embodied process that regulates the flow of energy and information.” ~Daniel J. Siegel
We are emotional creatures, and we were born to express emotions freely and openly. Somewhere along the way, however, many …
“You will never follow your own inner voice until you clear up the doubts in your mind.” ~Roy T. Bennett
One evening my husband and I decided that we, along with our daughter, would go together to a neighboring town …
“Rather than being your thoughts and emotions, be the awareness behind them.” ~Eckhart Tolle
When I first started practicing Zen (or presence), I used to believe I could become completely thoughtless. Making my bed, no-thought. Washing my hands, no-thought. Walking …
“Letting go gives us freedom, and freedom is the only condition for happiness. If, in our heart, we still cling to anything—anger, anxiety, or possessions—we cannot be free.” ~Thich Nhat Hanh
Roughly one year ago, I was having the time …
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