Challenging Ourselves

Becky applied to attend a course at the Abbey. In her application she said that she had a drink several times a week. We responded by asking her to stop drinking completely at least a month before coming to the Abbey so that she didn’t have to deal with changing this...
From Enemy to Brother

From Enemy to Brother

Kevin sent us this touching story, which is a perfect example of how artificial the categories of friend, enemy, and stranger are. When we look beyond superficial appearances and human-made boundaries, into people’s hearts, we see that we are all the same in wanting...
“You Have a Great Adventure Ahead of You”

“You Have a Great Adventure Ahead of You”

When Ken Matthews sent in his application to begin training at the Abbey for monastic ordination, he was concerned about the reactions of friends. He said, “Not all of the people in my life will understand my determination to ordain. It will also be very difficult for...

Remembering our Death

Giacomo wrote this as part of his study of the meditation on death, to help him remember some important points to reflect on. It is his hope that it will similarly help others. When we do not remember about our own transience we completely forget the Dharma. Even if...

The Eight Worldly Concerns

The day after sending a piece he wrote about the meditation on death, Giacomo sent some reflections on the eight worldly concerns. His insights about his motivation are very thoughtful. Well, actually my motivation was very mixed when I sent you the previous piece I...
Offering Food to the Sangha

Offering Food to the Sangha

The Buddha’s Doctrine is founded upon generosity—the sharing of teachings and possessions. Monastics live a simple life style and put their energy into learning and practicing the teachings. Therefore, they practice generosity primarily by giving Dharma teachings and...

The Dharma has Taken on a New Look for Me

Robbie Groves has been interested in the Dharma since he was young, and first came to the Abbey in 2008 when he was sixteen. Here are his reflections in 2010 on how the Dharma looks new to him. After reading a lot of Dharma books for many years, I’ve decided to start...

Pretending Can Be Powerful

I just watched the latest Bodhisattva Breakfast Corner talk (Feb. 8, 2011) where you mentioned “pretending can be very powerful” and wanted to share this short anecdote on a different type of “pretending” that I thought you and others might like: You may remember I...

Even Magpies

by Lynn McDougal The year 2010 has now drawn to a close and, right on its heels is the drawing down of the first month of the White Tara retreat which I am participating in from afar. My experience doing this retreat has thus far been mixed – alternately enthusiastic,...