Posts from — July 2011

As mentioned in the last post there are four karmas, four ways of taking action in this world to increase the sanity of our own and others’ experience. The first one, which we talked about last week, “to pacify” is about opening to whatever arises with a quality of directness and gentleness. This doesn’t mean that what is happening around you is gentle–simply that you remain so, even in the face of difficulty.

The second karma, called “to enrich” is what comes next. Once you have begun to pacify a situation by opening to it as it unfolds, you are in a position to increase the wealth of that situation. It is very much about creating and producing–not normally qualities we associate with spiritual practitioners who may be seen more as beings who don’t want to get overly involved with the stuff of this world. [Read more →]

I would like to teach it to you.

Register here for free webinar! Just type “Enneagram” in the subject line
and I’ll send you the dial-in details.

I’ve been studying this amazing system of personality typing for almost 20 years and, along with the dharma, it is my most important tool for navigating my day, establishing good relationships, negotiating contact, and just simply understanding the people in my life. Calling it a “personality typing system” is way underselling it. It is a profound compassion tool. I think everyone should learn it!

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Today I want to introduce you to something called the Four Karmas or enlightened actions.

Often, Buddhist meditators are presented as kind of inert, as people who strive for a kind of impassivity. Au contraire. As much as anything, by creating presence of mind and enabling you to have accurate perceptions about what is happening around and within you, a meditation practice prepares you to take action in this world–to improve your life, help the planet, navigate the difficulties, and truly take in the joys. [Read more →]

There is no question that you have to figure out your spiritual path on your own. No matter how much you want to find ready-made answers, no one can actually tell you that you should be a Buddhist or a Catholic or an agnostic; no one can tell you that right now is the time to make a commitment to a single path or, no, it isn’t. Not your parents, friends, fellow practitioners, or teachers; no book or class or workshop can make decisions for you. For better or worse, you’re in this all by yourself.

But there is also no question that you are not alone. It has and will be demonstrated to you over and over that there are individuals who will come to your aid when you need them. Sometimes you don’t recognize them until some months or years have gone by, but if you reflect on the key moments of your life, you see that people arrive and depart on some kind of timetable that makes sense. They are your spiritual friends, or kalyanamitra in Sanksrit. (Pronounced ka-lee-ah-nah-mee-tra.) [Read more →]

We all have a lot to do. Sometimes I wake up in the morning and freeze when I even think about what’s on my to-do list. I wonder if I can actually do all the things I hope to. Am I capable or just a capable poser? Will there be something in my email or voicemail that will scare me? (I scare easily.) I wonder if I’ll be good enough, smart enough, and, gosh darn it, if people will like me.

I’m not even on cup of tea #2 before I’ve talked myself under the desk, afraid to come out.

Then I remember the one question that, when I ask it of myself, snaps everything back into focus. This question calms me down, returns to me my enthusiasm for my own life, and gives me courage to own my aspirations. Are you ready? [Read more →]

Am putting finishing touches on the audiobook for The Wisdom of a Broken Heart. I’m really excited about it. Here is Chapter Two: “Nothing Happens” 6:16 minutes long.

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