A Life's Work.

I've spent the past few months working on a new project, something I am calling A Life's Work. It is still a work in progress, but I thought I would give those of you who have supported me for the past few years a sneak peak. 

Take a look, let me know what you think. I welcome your feedback and hope you'll join me on this journey. 

https://www.lifes.work/

Why A Life's Work?

Have you ever ended up down a path you didn't want to be on? Somehow you have found yourself in the darkness, lost in the wilderness, not really knowing where you are or how you got here.

You might feel that you are not living up to your potential, or that you are living at odds with your values or aspirations. You might feel stuck, afraid, tired, unable to appreciate your significance or purpose in this life. You might be sick, in pain, battling your body or your mind with an imminent fear of death or loss.

A Life's Work is about rediscovering who we are, our place in the world, and the gifts we have to share. It is foremost about living a life dedicated to practice. My aim is to give you a light, a lantern, a torch to take with you on your journey, so that you can find your way through the darkness and wilderness.

Along the way, you'll learn to tend that light so it doesn't go out, as well as learn useful wayfinding tools and techniques. Some of these skills you will find useful and beneficial, others you will leave behind. Once you are ready and equipped for the path, you'll learn how to orient yourself in unfamiliar territory, and how to use landmarks and recognize signposts along the way. As you progress, you'll learn to value and appreciate guides and fellow travelers on the path, so that you can save time and gain insight about the path ahead.

By the end, I hope you'll have gained confidence in being a wayfinder, and discovered that the destination is not nearly as important as enjoying the journey that is this life. If you are one of the fortunate ones, you might even discover the great joy that is sharing your light with others, giving them the gift of exploring the wilderness of their own life with confidence and determination.

The result of the work.

If our work is to be more present and of service in the world, then we need to change the way we think about the results of our work. We need to change the way we think about accomplishment and achievement for the type of work we are doing- the work of showing up, being present and attentive, striving for human dignity and kindness. The usual measures of success, recognition, promotion, and profits aren't the goals for this type of work, and what our culture sets as the targets of work well done is only going to leave us disappointed and frustrated. 

During the course of a lifelong commitment to this practice, you will realize that there are no shortcuts and that this work that we are doing is hard work. It is difficult to be of service without being destroyed in the act of service. It is challenging to deal with difficult people and maintain our patience and willingness to care. Learning to show up consistently, despite failure, fatigue and conflicting emotions is hard work. 

As we learn the necessary skills and attitudes needed on the path, we start to achieve a sense of being in the world and out of the world, involved in the messiness of life and yet not caught up in the unnecessary struggle. 

We start to learn that we can survive our intense emotional ups and downs, that the day to day is much like the weather, some days are good and some are bad and yet each day we show up and dedicate ourselves to our practice. 

We start to recognize that some things are simply out of our control, that we can strive to be present, compassionate and kind, and that sometimes that is not going to land quite the way we thought it would. 

We start to understand that though we struggle with the meaning and significance of our life, we find there is purpose and benefit to holding something- holding space, holding intention, holding to a daily practice. 

As you endeavor in your practice, over time, you will likely find that the tangible benefits of your practice are hard to identify or remain elusive. However, you will also likely find that the intangible benefits of your practice have led to a profound transformation of your being and identity, bringing a felt sense of joy, ease, and connection. This accomplishment as a result of your practice and hard work transform the world from a battlefield in which you are always struggling into a world in which you always feel at home. 

At home in the world, dedicated to presence, openness and availability, kindness and compassion, committed to showing up for ourselves and for others with a felt sense of joy, ease, and connection, those are some of the ways in which the results of our hard work show up in our life. The accomplishment of the practice is largely a life well lived, the result is the practice itself with nothing more to achieve. 

Not the result you were looking for.

We tend to spend much of our days looking for something, in search of the new, the better. We would like to see an outcome from our efforts. What's all this time and energy worth? What is the practice for?

What if I told you that you already had everything you were looking for? You already have the capacity. You already have full possession of the result that you seek. The goal is already manifest, there is nothing more to do and nothing to be improved upon. 

Chances are you would not believe me. I must be stretching the truth or trying to pull a fast one on you. Surely I am embellishing. 

And what if I am not being deceitful or egregious?

What would you do if what I am telling you is in fact true? 

I honestly don't know what you will do. Personally, I live a life dedicated to practice. 

Practice looks like showing up, taking responsibility, being receptive and available, doing the hard work of being patient and generous and kind. It looks like trying to figure out how I can meaningful contribute and be of service to others. 

And it feels nice, knowing that this is enough. We don't need a big show for our life and our work, it doesn't need to be a spectacle or even remarkable. There doesn't need to be a grand finale, a celebration for the work or even a word of praise for all you have done. 

Simply this is enough. 

Spiritual evolution and development.

 The beginning of the spiritual path starts with the seeker. We are looking for something authentic and true. We set out in search of a better life, looking for meaning, purpose, happiness and satisfaction. 

The seeker may or may not recognize it, but they are not satisfied with their current life. Something is missing, things could be better, our life isn't what it could be or should be. For the seeker, the current circumstances and the reality of their present situation set them out on a path to a better life, a better situation. They seek out teachers, teachings, books, all in a search for a path to fulfillment. The seeker always looks outwards, searching for something to latch onto and identify with, because they don't recognize their own inner wealth and potential. 

At some point on the path, the seeker may start to see how they are actually the source of all of their problems and obstacles. Our own mind, our emotions, our hopes and expectations, those are the fuel for all of the challenges we face. Recognizing the importance of this inner work, the seeker turns inward to examine their own reactivity. They start to see that by letting go of attachment, aversion and confusion, it is possible to break free from this cycle of reactivity. Focusing on this intention to break free from the bonds of our own reactivity and confusion, the seekers focus shifts from searching outwardly to valuing the inner work of freeing our own hearts and minds. The path to a better life no longer lies outside ourselves, but is something that we can cultivate and train in through our practice. 

While we may have this commitment to doing the inner work of freeing ourselves, the result that we seek is still off in some distant future. Our focus may be on doing the inner work, but right now we are not ready to experience the result. We need to train and practice. The present circumstances are too tough, not quite right, not good enough. We are not ready right now, and thus the result and fulfillment that we seek are not apparent to us. 

Gradually, as we do the inner work of freeing ourselves from reactivity and confusion, we start to recognize the reality of our mind when it is free of these temporary veils. We eliminate doubt and gain confidence on the path of discovering our own true face. We start to appreciate that the outer course of things, as they are, is sufficient to actualize the result that we initially set out in search of. We start to recognize that this life, these circumstances, these conditions, this body, all of it, is enough just as it is. Having a direct experience of our own natural condition, the result of the path becomes fully evident and accessible. That result doesn't lie outside of ourselves, but is the actual nature of our own mind, embodied in authentic presence. There is no longer any need to fight our circumstances or reject the world as it is, rather we learn to work with things as they are, responding with wisdom, openness and kindness. 

The seeker in search of better. 
Commitment to doing the inner work of freeing ourselves. 
Waking up in this life, as it is. 

Those are the three stages of spiritual evolution, each stage transcending and including the previous. Each stage comes with a more subtle understanding of who we are and the nature of the world around us. The practice grows and develops as we embrace a larger scope, moving from an outward focus to an inward focus, and then moving from a different time and circumstances to the present, just as it is.

The fulfillment that we seek does not lie outside of us, and it doesn't lie in some distance time or space. It is ever-present and fully evident, once you are prepared to recognize it. 

Model of conscious leadership.

As a dharma practitioner on the path we can often times struggle to integrate our meditation with our daily life. Training in mind and awareness cultivates a state of preparedness and responsiveness on the cushion that we slowly learn how to bring out into our daily activities. As we learn to work with this sense of preparedness, we need to learn how to live authentically and contribute meaningfully to the world around us. 

The five elements of conscious leadership create a framework to integrate your practice with your daily life. By working with each of these elements you encounter resistance and limits in your own body, mind and emotions. Pay attention to that resistance and hesitation. As you become familiar with each of these elements, you will see where you are grasping to aspects of your experience or shutting down. Acknowledging these obstacles and perceived barriers gives you something tangible to work with in your meditation. In this way, our meditation supports our daily life and our daily activities fuel our meditation.

The result of a practice that integrates both meditation and your daily life is a willingness to have an grounded, fluid and truthful connection with the world around us. We awaken to the very presence that dwells in the heart of the human condition. All of these elements are included within the single sphere of unborn bodhicitta, our ever-present primordial state of authentic presence that is open, available and responsive. 

Conscious citizens of the world.

What does it mean to be a conscious citizen in an increasingly complex world?

What are the qualities and characteristics of a conscious citizen? How would they see the world, what does their posture look like?

As a conscious citizen, I am aware of my own body, mind, feelings and perceptions. I know my own beliefs, knowledge, philosophical views, and opinions are true, but partial. I am conscious of my own perspective, but recognize that perspective is inherently limited and thus not the entire story. 

As a conscious citizen, I am aware of the body, mind, feelings and perceptions of others. I recognize that the beliefs, knowledge, philosophical views, and opinions of others are true, but partial. I am conscious of my own perspective and understand that others will not likely share my perspective or even be able to appreciate it. Having a deep understanding of my self and my own perspective, I can be more tolerant and accepting of others, even those with divergent or rigid views. Just as I would not hate a child for holding irrational views, I understand that we all act irrationally and from a limited perspective. 

As a conscious citizen, I am aware of my own culture and the culture of others. I appreciate diversity, celebrate differences, and recognize the basic human needs of safety, belonging and the yearning to gain control over our own lives. Not conforming to the worlds ways of division and manipulation, I value different perspectives and encourage connection and inclusion. 

As a conscious citizen, I am aware of the way in which systems, organizations and politics support and create the cultures in which we live. I appreciate the individual and collective are inseparable and recognize the consequences of participating in and contributing to the systems that shape our world. I work to inspire, empower and connect individuals to live authentically and contribute meaningfully to the world around them. I have the wisdom to see through the perspectives of the status quo and encourage connections across a variety of views so that others can gain an appreciation that their position is also true, but partial. 

As a conscious citizen, I am aware of my own constructs, though not stuck on them. I have a willingness to step forward in a healthy and meaningful way to benefit others. When I am authentically present, I can acknowledge my current reality and remain deeply grounded, both in good times and bad. I recognize my own limits and the scope of my life, acknowledging that giving ourselves boundaries empowers us to occupy the world in which we find ourselves. Cultivating authentic presence opens the doorway to deeply personal, intimate relationships and a willingness and receptivity to extend kindness to all. 

Recognizing that I am simultaneously a leader and a follower, I dedicate my life to remaining open, available and responsive. Again and again, I aspire to return to the ground of clarity and truth. I acknowledge the hard choices that we all have to make and hope to inspire a willingness to move forward towards a better future for all. 

Fill the shoes you are in.

Take a look at your shoes. Those are the shoes we need you to fill.

Not a bigger pair. Not a better pair. The shoes you have.

We need you to take a stand in the world in which you live.

Not in a world you would like to see. Not in the life you would like to be living. In this world, this life.

Don't fill someone else's shoes. Don't compare the size of your shoes to others. Don't worry about the quality or the presentation or the style.

Your shoes, just as they are, that's what we need. We need you. Come as you are. Share the gifts you have to bring. If you don't know what those gifts are, put your damn shoes on and go find them.

Carry on.

Opportunity is formless, without center or limit. It is often hard to appreciate much less recognize the opportunity available to you right now.

So how do you take advantage of the opportunity available to you?

Let's start to narrow the focus. Who is the 'you' that we are referring to?

Is it your profession? That's surely a part of you, but not the whole you. Is it your hobbies or passions or side hustles? They are also a part of you, but not the whole you. All those parts come together to make up your identity as an individual.

You as an individual are also part of a family. You might be a father, mother, sister, or partner. Part of who you are in the world is shaped by that role you play. All the little parts of you as an individual support and influence and shape how you appear and function in your family.

Your family is part of a community. The community in which you live, the intentional communities in which you participate. Each part of you as an individual and the dynamics of your family support and influence and shape your community. How you act in your community influences the world around you.

Communities are part of the larger collective, the cities and states in which we live. Intentional communities are formed around ideas and shared interests that influence and shape the culture and the world in which we live. Intentional communities have much more power and efficiency to carry and spread ideas, resources and values than the individuals that make up those communities. Those intentional communities become a nest for both ideas and individuals. The individual, like the idea, can take birth there, be nurtured, supported, grow and develop. Eventually, the individual and the idea reach maturity and are continued to be carried by the community. It is the community that carries the individual and the idea.

Know that there is great purpose in carrying something. Recognize that your power to carry it is limited but that contributing your efforts to the community relieves you of the burden. Then carrying something brings connection and joy.

Then you can stop worrying about opportunity, especially lost opportunity. Turn your attention instead to responsibility and the roles you play in carrying that forward.

This very lifetime.

The practice traditions of Mahamudra and Dzogchen make a radical claim that we can achieve liberation in this very life. This life, as it is right now, is the ground of your awakening.

Not the life you are waiting to live. Not the life you will have after you go back to school or get a better job. Not the life you'll have once you have your finances figured out, fix your problems, find the right partner or make that move to a new city. Not the life where you have more time, the kids are out of the house, or you can take that extended leave.

This life. The life you have right now, as it is. This is the ground of your awakening.

Can you accept that?

Whatever reason you have for putting off your liberation and freedom for another life or another time, I ask you, I beg you, to call bullshit.

What are you holding onto? What story are you telling yourself? Whatever it is, it's all made up. It seems to be true, but there is a lot more space and opportunity there than you recognize.

Recognize the fear, uncertainty, hope, longing, and storytelling for what it is - bullshit. Recognize when you fall into those cycles and treat them as a call to presence. Right here, right now.

You will never discover freedom and liberation in the future. The ground of awakening is the ever-present unfolding reality, just as it is. 

Hallmark of the Buddha's teachings.

There are many benefits to meditation- increased attention and self-awareness, decreased reactivity to negative thoughts and emotions, the ability to manage and self-regulate strong emotions, and the ability to work with difficult situations in our life. Each of these benefits is significant and important for developing a healthy mind and for being self-reliant in a challenging world.

The Buddha's teachings rely heavily on meditation, but it is insight into the true nature of your mind that is really the hallmark of the wisdom of the Buddha. The Buddha saw that the key to changing our minds and living a life of great purpose was tied to realizing emptiness or selflessness, or the interconnectedness of all things. This insight into selflessness fundamentally changes our perspective of who we are and the nature of the world around us.

The experience of emptiness or selflessness is not one of loss. It is not a blank void. It is not an experience of aloneness or meaninglessness. The realization of emptiness is also the realization of interconnectedness, which is the experience of fullness. There are many signs that we may experience upon realizing this wisdom of emptiness, such as awe, connection, love, openness, oneness, ineffability. There wisdom itself is utterly beyond description because it is beyond the confines of 'this' or 'that', and 'it is' or 'it is not'.

Even a glimpse of selflessness gives rise to more openness and empathy. Openness encompasses appreciation and receptivity, creativity and imagination, as well as tolerance of others opinions and values. That openness gives rise to more empathy and compassion for others. It engenders kindness, generosity and love for others as we move about our day.

The benefit of realizing the wisdom of selflessness is that it awakens our heart and mind and gives our life a sense of direction and purpose. We can navigate the world with a broader perspective and find space for reconciliation and resolution. All of the problems in the world, all of the conflict, opposition, contradictions; they all arise from taking rigid and confined positions based on our own perspective. Selflessness opens the door to a more inclusive and integrated understanding of the world around us and our place in it. 

There are many benefits to meditation, but the benefits of insight and wisdom into our true nature are even more significant and impactful. They bring benefit not only to our own life, but to the communities and neighborhoods in which we live.

Give yourself the gift of your practice.

"What am I going to get out of this?"

My Qiqong teacher Kim Ivy was posed this question recently. The beginner wants to have a glimpse of the promised result. They want to know that what they are doing is going to be of benefit. Most likely, they want to get rid of the fear of being a beginner and feeling awkward about what they are doing. Most of us feel enough insecurity and uncertainty as it is, why put ourselves in situations that expose our insecurities?

You might practice yoga, qiqong, meditation or any other form of the internal arts. Each of these benefits our body and mind, improves our health and prolongs our longevity. Each of these encourages a sense of well being, and that might be all that you need to get out of them.

My experience has been that our bodies and mind as largely a mystery to us. You notice this most when you are sick or endure an injury, the question of "How do I get better?" becomes paramount. Even in otherwise healthy states we still experience weird sensations in our bodies, our minds run scripts we can't seem to shake, and we feel a sense of dissatisfaction and unease. Sit still for a moment in meditation and you might notice just how uncomfortable you are in your own body- shifting your leg, scratching an itch, straightening your neck.

We often feel at odds against ourselves.

The curious thing about practices like yoga, qiqong and meditation is that they train you to look at your experience. They teach you, slowly, to not react to what is coming up in your experience. They expose imbalances and resistance, teaching you how to correct and find balance. Interestingly enough, you learn not to fight your body and mind, but how to work with your body and mind.

Over time, we learn to be friends with ourselves. We learn to be comfortable in our own skin. Being more accepting of ourselves, we can be more present and available for others. Instead of protecting ourselves and hiding our insecurities, we learn to stand with dignity in openness and vulnerability. Like a child learning to walk and falling often, we can learn to walk through the world with this type of posture. Of course we too will fall, and that is why we always come back to our practice.

Learning to check in with yourself, to look into the great mystery of our body and mind, and to gain some understanding of the complexity of this human life- this is one of the greatest gifts that we can give ourselves.

It is also one of the greatest gifts that we can share with the world.

Get comfortable with not knowing what you are going to get out of this. Give yourself the gift of showing up and simply devoting yourself to the practice of self-discovery.

You might be surprised at what you find.

Meaningful activities to do today.

Copying texts, making offerings, charity,

Study, reading, memorizing,

Explaining, reciting aloud,

Contemplating and meditating—

These ten activities

Bring merit beyond measure.

~Maitreya

Distinguishing the Middle from Extremes

What does a dharma practitioner do with their time? What type of activities are worthwhile and meaningful? Other than taking care of our daily responsibilities and work, what should we do in our free time? 

Our culture of accomplishment encourages us to be doing all the time. The habit of having to accomplish something, ship something, create something can create a lot of unrest and dissatisfaction when we are not engaging in those activities. Learning how to spend your downtime is a useful skill to have, since most of us can agree that surfing the internet or social media produces little benefit and often sucks us into a wormhole of mental wandering. 

Here are ten activities that Maitreya recommended all bodhisattvas on the path of awakening engage in:

Copying texts. A thousand years ago, copying texts was the only way to preserve them. Today we could say sharing texts, sending someone a book that impacted you, or sharing a cliff notes version of books that you are reading.

Making offerings. Be generous and kind. Share a smile. Talk to a stranger. Random acts of kindness are easy to share and make a positive impact in our community and in our own life. 

Charity. Donate, contribute and work for projects or organizations that are making things better in the world. Helping others in whatever form it takes is meaningful work worth doing. 

Reading. Read widely and deeply. There are no subjects or interests that are out of bounds here. Reading is a virtue. 

Study. Take notes. Systematize, draw out the implications and summarize the essence. Whatever you are reading is a good area to deepen your study. 

Memorization. In a time when books were not widely available, memorization was the only way to commit something to memory in order to keep it with you. In modern times, this can mean having a system or process by which you can easily retrieve and access needed resources. Google takes this category for most information, but how do you retrieve patience when you need it? How do you access compassion and responsiveness when you are tired and hungry? Build a habit for accessing your emotional intelligence. 

Explaining. Write a blog post on a book. Share your insights on what you have learned. Join a discussion group with a shared interest. 

Reciting aloud. Reciting a text was part of a regular practice to preserve and share the blessings of the tradition. This could be done alone or with a group for special ceremonies. Their is an unspoken blessing that one encounters when you have done something again and again by yourself, and then you encounter a group with a shared interest and everyone engages in the same activity without missing a beat. It is hard for a modern westerner to comprehend this, but we can all relate to cheering for a football team at home and then the shared experience in the stadium. There is a shared sense of belonging or affiliation that we experience that is beyond words. 

Contemplating. Think about what you are reading and studying. We need space and time to contemplate. You need some boredom in your life to enjoy contemplation. Build some time into your day for not doing anything, but being present and observe the world around you. You might also want to have a notebook or sheet of paper with you;)

Meditating. Rest naturally. Sit with intention. Experience your authentic condition. Build some time into your day for being, not doing.

These ten activities will make your day worthwhile. What other activities can you think of that are meaningful and worth committing to on a regular basis?

+2 important additions: exercise and mindful eating.

Choose a regular exercise, could be taking a walk, doing yoga or qiqong, or going for a run. Dr. Jivaka recommended the Buddha instruct all his disciples to do walking meditation everyday to strengthen their bodies and improve their mental focus.

Mindful eating. Enjoy your meals. Eat simple, nutritious food. Our meals can support our practice and encourage us to appreciate our connections to the world around us. 

What is wisdom?

It is often stated that all of the Buddha's teachings were taught for the sake of wisdom. But what is wisdom?

Wisdom isn't nebulous. It isn't the wise old man sitting up on top of a mountain waiting to answer people's questions.

Wisdom is insight into the human condition. Understanding it's impermanence, the pervasiveness of suffering and dissatisfaction, how thoughts and actions shape our life and the precious opportunity to make this life meaningful.

Wisdom is insight into who we are. Understanding how we are all connected, the nature of our minds and the way in which that understanding deepens our presence and gentleness in the world.

Wisdom is insight into the nature of reality. Understanding how all things are interconnected and transient in nature, how the outer world exists and how to best care for the world.

Wisdom is insight into our place in the world. Understanding how we can be authentically present and share our gifts with the world, how we can contribute, and how a culture of awakening develops from people showing up and acting in alignment with wisdom.

Wisdom is insight into the human condition, who we are, the nature of the world around us, and our place in it. It is not far out or far flung, it is the very ground of our being.

Sudden vs. gradual path

We can speak of two paths on the journey of awakening and self-discovery, the gradual path and the sudden or instantaneous path.

The gradual path is built on the perception that where we are is not where we want to be. The result that we are seeking is in the distance, not fully evident, just beyond us. Progress along the gradual path demands effort and work. Studying, learning, contemplation and meditation are required along the way. Drip by drip, we gain more understanding and insight.

The sudden path is built on the principle that the result is fully evident at this very moment, it is simply unrecognized. The moment we fully realize the freedom of the nature of mind as our own natural condition the result becomes fully evident and manifest. The truth of cessation is not some far off attainment, we are able to be directly introduced to the unconditioned nature of reality.

The difference between the approaches is significant and the methods of instruction vary. Don't be satisfied until you understand the practice. Demand clarity in your practice. As you clarify the practice, your practice clarifies your understanding of your own nature and the nature of reality. At any point along the gradual path, one can be receptive and open enough to experience the sudden path.

Gradual and sudden aren't exclusive paths. The gradual supports the sudden. Once the sudden opens up the gradual is left behind.

Forging the path ahead.

The path starts right where you are.

You can follow the footsteps of those who have gone before you, but your path is not going to look exactly like theirs. You'll meet your own problems and challenges. You'll enjoy ease and contentment, as well as difficult times.

The journey of self-discovery and awakening is forged based on your own experience.

You'll share that journey with others. You'll travel with others who have a shared kindred purpose. You meet a variety of travelers on the path- teachers, spiritual friends, partners, mentors, students. Some of these travelers will walk with you for a lifetime, some for just a short way.

There is no end to the journey ahead. No accomplishment, and no non-accomplishment. The result is the path. Continue with confidence in liberation.

Clarify your path. Let your path clarify you.

In pursuit of happiness.

Happiness is elusive in our world, and yet it is happiness we seek. We all want to be happy, and yet the happiness itself is ephemeral.

When reciting the four immeasurables, we come across this first verse:

May all beings have happiness and the causes of happiness. 

This intention is vast and all-inclusive. The reality of that intention seems to be unrealistic and idealistic. It is not possible for all beings to be happy. Isn't the very nature of reality one of suffering and discontentment?

It is useful to think of happiness as a body of effort and work. Happiness is a fleeting emotion, and yet the body of causes and actions that contribute to that happiness can have lasting strength and durability. In this sense, our character, which is the result of values and principles acted upon over time, predisposes us to the enjoyment of happiness.

What we do today, what we act on and value, determines and becomes the cause of our future happiness. Choose wisely and act with intention.

Turns out happiness is a choice. 

*See you on the cushion this Sunday!

The importance of regular retreats.

A retreat forms an integral part of the cycle of a practitioner's life. To retreat means to step out of the deep ruts of our normal daily life and encounter the world anew. Imagine skiing in the mountains after a fresh snowfall, where we are no longer conditioned by the well worn tracks of the inner landscape of our mind. We see the opportunity available to us in new ways and in a new light.

A retreat is not something new but forms part of an old tradition of reconnecting with what is most sacred in life. What we now think of as 'holidays' were holy days, during which we devoted time and energy to the sacred. The modern day idea of vacation means to leave behind or vacate, again the idea of stepping outside of our normal routine and daily habits.

There is something deep in our psyche which longs for renewal and rejuvenation. Many people all over the world embark on pilgrimages to seek out and reconnect with this sacred way of being. That renewal happens when the unseen becomes seen, when that which has gone unrecognized becomes apparent.

The point of that journey isn't to have some great experience, but to rediscover the very ground of our being and to arrive at the center of which that very journey unfolds. Often we find ourselves reminiscing about the good ole days, but what we truly long for is a genuine path that leads to pure presence, in which we can tap into the wellspring of our own renewal and reconnect with the openness, generosity, and kindness that give our life purpose and meaning.

Answering the call.

There is something inside of each of us that is calling for us to be more deeply present in the world, to participate and contribute to the world in some way. Answering that call opens the doorway to the path.

When we feel called to step beyond our narrow conception of self and our abilities, we usually experience vulnerability, hesitation and fear. We feel called to step out into the open, but when the time comes to do so we hold back, we wait, we turn back.

That is why we need a practice, a teacher and mentor, a supportive community. We need stories and examples of those who have traveled this path. We need support and feedback and guidance from those who are currently traveling.

On this journey, we often feel alone and isolated. But there are those who walk with us, among us. There are those waiting for us just ahead and around the corner.

By showing up and listening to our own calling, we show up for others and continue to inspire them in their own path. Answering the call fulfills our own aims and brings about the aims of others.

The deception of self-help.

The self-help genre is exploding in popular culture. Everything from how to be more fit, more mindful, how find your purpose and how to live the life you were meant to live.

The stories are compelling.

The deception that much of the self-help genre relies upon is that your life, right now, is not good enough. You can do better. You must do better to be the person that you want to be. Pick yourself up. Get motivated. Work!

There is a subtle poverty mentality going on, a failure to recognize your innate qualities and potential. Often we find the Buddha's teachings lumped into this self-help category, a sort of new age twist to an ancient tradition.

Here is the key distinction- the self-help genre wants you to get out of your current situation in search of a better situation. The Buddha's teachings want you to be fully present in your current situation. See how subtle that is? One wants you to start running and keep running, the other wants you to sit and be present with the world as it is.

Both methods create dramatic change. The difference is that one keeps you on a cycle in which you never reach your fulfillment, and the other starts with finding your fulfillment and then teaching you how to move from that ground with intention.

The Buddha's teachings become applicable to any life, any situation, any profession. Right now, just as it is.

Living truly.

Most of us wander in and out of states of despair, trying to discover who we are and our place in the world. We search for meaning and purpose, we yearn for a sense of connection and we hope for a day when we will figure it all out.

To live fully, we must awaken to who we are in an authentic way. We must learn to recognize and live with genuine presence.

The issue isn't that we have lost our sense of purpose in the world. The issue is that we have forgotten the connection between our presence and the world around us. When we have lost our center, no amount of work and effort will rebuild that connection. When we are grounded in that center, everything that we do moves from a place of presence and intention.

Presence is the missing link. When we learn to embody genuine presence, we learn what it means to live truly.