Dharma Essays

Interview about Physiology and the Buddhist Path

The Convergence of Vedanā, Our Mammalian Physiology, and Awakening Barre Center for Buddhist Studies (BCBS) interviewed me about an upcoming course I will be teaching in August.  The theme covers the intersection between mammalian physiology and aspects of the Buddhist Path. I feel this is an essential conversation for our communities to continue to engage … Interview about Physiology and the Buddhist Path Read More »

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A Warm Welcome to All of You

I want to give a warm heart-felt welcome to all of you who are visiting this new website. In Soto Zen monasteries, a chant recited at meals begins, “Seventy-two labors brought us this food. We should know how it comes to us.” Seventy-two refers to the seventy-two individual jobs found in a monastery, ranging from cook … A Warm Welcome to All of You Read More »

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A Deeper Sense of Happiness & Contentment

This article first appeared in the Mountain Hermitage newsletter. I reprint it here, slightly edited, with the hope that you will find it interesting and possibly useful.  During the Buddha’s time, a group of monks happened upon one of their fellow monastics in the forest, the Venerable Bhaddiya (Ud 2.10). “Ah, what bliss, ah, what bliss,” … A Deeper Sense of Happiness & Contentment Read More »

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A Vast & Beautiful Freedom

This is an article that I wrote for the Mountain Hermitage that you may find of interest.  Here it is: Driving west from Winslow, I see mountains in the distance, lightly covered with snow. This landscape provides the context for my life here in Arizona and offers my heart a reminder of the vast and … A Vast & Beautiful Freedom Read More »

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