“You and your Buddha, why don’t you stick to the religion you were born with?” Jack Kerouac’s mother said when her son tried to explain Buddhism. This is exactly what Piper Ratliff feared her parents would say to her when she confessed to lying about her true motives for coming to Thailand. “She’s a religious … Read more
I made a lot of mistakes in my personal and professional life. When given the opportunity, I tried to correct them. Yet I don’t regret any of it. Everything I said or did eventually led me to the path I’m walking right now — the path of reading, writing, and helping other people start their … Read more
Stephen Batchelor (b. April 7, 1953) is a contemporary Buddhist teacher and writer, best known for his secular approach to Buddhism. He considers Buddhism to be a constantly evolving culture of awakening rather than a religious system based on immutable dogmas and beliefs. Buddhism has survived for the past 2,500 years because of its capacity … Read more
I firmly believe that negativity doesn’t work. Pema Chödrön’s tonglen meditation has strengthened this conviction by teaching me how to use the power of visualization to breathe in suffering and breathe out joy. Whenever I practice this technique, I’m able to release negative emotions, overcome fears, and embrace the uncertainty of what might happen next. … Read more