One of the most common causes of suffering is resistance to what is present in this moment. Part of me recognizes what is actually happening, while another part says, “This should not be happening.” In that moment, I become divided within myself. Life moves in one direction, and my mind pushes against it. This inner conflict creates suffering. I often believe that pain comes from the situation itself. In many cases, the greater pain arises from the attempt to control or rejec

Advaita Vedanta is one of the best-known schools of Indian philosophy. The word advaita means “not two,” and that single idea sits at the heart of the tradition: beneath all the variety of life—people, objects, thoughts, emotions—there is one underlying reality. Non-duality teaches us that the deepest reality is not split into separate parts. The many forms we see are like waves on the ocean—different shapes, but not separate from the water. We usually identify with what ch

We often seek to live our lives with certainty- to plan our future and to know the outcomes. We often resist uncertainty. While there is a place for planning, there are limitations to living from the mind’s need for certainty. The Zen teacher Shunryu Suzuki spoke of "beginner's mind" — the quality of approaching each moment as if for the first time, to hold knowledge lightly without the clutter of assumption and expectation. A famous quote of his is that “In the beginner’

The word yoga comes from the Sanskrit root yuj — to yoke, to unite, to join. It’s a practice of dissolving the illusions that keep us separated from love in its deepest form. Yoga teaches us to inhabit the body honestly. One who has learned to be at home in their own body brings something essential to love: Presence. The practices of pranayama brings greater attention to the breath. To breathe fully is to feel fully. Many of us have unconsciously learned to breathe shallow

Gratitude has the power to change the way we experience life. It does not erase pain, loss, or uncertainty, but it helps the heart hold both sorrow and beauty at the same time. In a world where everything is changing and nothing lasts forever, gratitude reminds us that the value of life is not in permanence, but in presence. A walk beside the ocean, a shared conversation, the warmth of sunlight, the memory of someone we love — these simple moments become sacred when we truly

Embodiment, in the deepest sense, is the experience of fully feeling your body rather than merely living inside it. Many people in modern life spend most of their time “above the neck,” living without the wisdom body awareness offers. Holding and moving through poses while you focus on feeling sensations is the key. Breath as an anchor draws attention repeatedly back into the body. The breath is always happening now, in the body, so it becomes a connection to physical sensat

Restorative yoga is a quiet, deeply nourishing style of yoga centered on rest, support, and allowing the body to unwind naturally. Instead of stretching deeply or building strength, the emphasis is on resting and letting the nervous system settle. The body is supported with various props like bolsters, blankets and blocks. Each posture is held for 5 to 10 minutes. The focus is on the natural breath and awareness with no muscular effort. Restorative yoga works primarily on the

Yoga Nidra — or yogic sleep — is a guided meditation practice rooted in ancient Tantric yoga. You lie still, close your eyes, and follow a teacher's voice through a structured relaxation. No poses, no movement, no effort. The goal is to hover at the threshold between sleeping and waking. In this state, the brain shifts into slower alpha and theta waves associated with deep rest and healing. Research suggests a single 45-minute session can be as restorative as several hours of

Prana is the Sanskrit term for the fundamental life force or vital energy that animates all living things. The breath is considered its most direct and accessible expression in the body. In the yogic tradition the breath is understood as the physical carrier of prana. When you inhale, you're not just taking in air — you're drawing in vital energy that nourishes the subtle body. The state of the breath and the state of prana are intimately linked. Shallow, erratic breathing c

From the day we are born we are influenced by beliefs, concepts, ideas of other people and culture in general. Without even realizing it, we begin functioning in life based on these forces. This is especially true with the ever increasing prevalence of media- social and traditional. We may begin to gather with people or groups that share and reinforce these beliefs. They can become deeply ingrained in our psyche without us even being aware of it. I know this to be true in

My late wife, Patricia, devoted her life to deepening her spiritual understanding and sharing this with thousands of students over many years. She embodied Love. She loved to write poetry. The following is from her cookbook. SELF-AWARENESS You can’t force the container open Lift the lid slowly with great interest and curiosity. Be patient…. Cultivating a willingness to Simply Stay in the formerly overlooked corner. Yes, there in that corner, with a castaway lodged deep,

In our silent retreats we often speak about “coming home.” Nature is one of the most direct doorways to that homecoming. Here in Maine and Vermont, the forests, fields, water, and open sky aren’t just scenery—they’re part of the healing. Nature supports healing in simple, steady ways. It asks nothing from you. It doesn’t rush you. It doesn’t judge your mind for wandering or your body for feeling tired. It offers rhythm—daylight and dusk, wind and stillness, birdsong and silen

The ability to forgive is one of the most healing and beneficial actions one can take for themselves or others. In my observations and conversations with students on retreat over the years I have been struck by the number of people carrying the burden of anger, resentment, jealousy or hatred toward another. One of the essential purposes of spiritual practice is to develop the capacity to “step out of the box” of our limited perspectives, the conditioning of our limited mind

Many years ago I was in Berkley working with a Breathwork facilitator who was helping me find some clarity in a difficult time in my life. Evenings she took me to a college auditorium where a spiritual teacher named Gangaji was giving a series of nightly talks. Each talk explored ways of letting go of the identification with our body/mind and to live from a much deeper place beyond the limited conditioning of the mind. I had been practicing meditation for some time by then

Love is often seen as an emotion that happens to us, something spontaneous and unpredictable. Yet, many people find that their capacity to love deeply and consistently grows through intentional practices. Yoga and meditation are two such practices that can transform how we relate to ourselves and others, expanding our ability to live in love. This post explores how these ancient disciplines cultivate qualities that nurture love in everyday life. Yoga and meditation both empha

While taking a walk with my wife, Patricia, in the beginning of our friendship many years ago, she said “why not try to open when you want to close.” While many of us tend to shut down when faced with challenges or vulnerabilities, choosing to open up instead can bring about numerous benefits. One reason to learn to open when you want to close is the potential for deeper connections with others. By sharing our thoughts, feelings, and experiences openly, we invite others t

Yoga, in its true essence, is a practice that seeks to unite the body, mind, and spirit. It carries a deep spiritual significance and encourages self-awareness, mindfulness, and inner peace. However, in recent times, yoga has often been synonymous with physical fitness or trendy lifestyle choices. While physical health is an important aspect, it’s valuable to remember and honor the roots of yoga as a holistic and spiritual practice. Let’s embrace yoga not just as a form of ex

What are we ultimately looking for in this life? For most of us it’s happiness - a sense of contentment, well-being or joy. The question is how and where do we find this? Most of us we look to accomplishments, possessions, recognition from others or relationships. Of course these all have value but ultimately they are not true happiness. They are dependent of outer circumstances and impermanent. They fade away or disappear, perhaps quickly or over time. They are based on the

Remember every morning and every evening before going to sleep that your True Nature is love. Feel how this remembering acts on your psychosomatic structure. Be one with, identify with, this feeling - without observer and observed. Jean Klein

One of the essential aspects of Eastern spiritual practices such as Yoga and Buddhism is Surrender. This essentially involves letting go of the ego, releasing attachment to outcomes, and accepting the flow of life as it is. Surrender is seen as an essential aspect of spiritual growth and inner peace. It involves embracing the present moment, trusting in a higher power or universal intelligence, and relinquishing the need to constantly control or resist circumstances. This is