Illustration of a retreat house.

What About the Cost of Retreats?

Many practitioners can’t afford to go on retreats. Pamela Ayo Yetunde says it’s time we start thinking about how to make the practice less exclusive.

Sharon Salzberg: Love Is Not Weakness

There is a misconception, says Buddhist teacher Sharon Salzberg, that developing a more loving heart will make us weak.

Weed Buddhism Marijuana Drugs Precepts Renunciation Cannabis Smoke Pot Lion's Roar Buddhism Shambhala Sun

A Buddhist pot-smoker on quitting weed

Pot use is having its moment, finding new acceptance across America. So why, after a long love affair with weed, has this Buddhist kicked it to the curb?

Integrating Yogacara in Your Practice

Guo Gu offers a practical four-step process for integrating the Yogacara teachings in your practice to transform thought and emotion.

Buddha statue in a cage.

Just When You Think You’re Enlightened

Temporary spiritual experiences can be helpful signs of progress, says Andrew Holecek, but they can also be traps.

Enso Enlightenment

Forum: What Is Enlightenment?

Dzogchen Ponlop Rinpoche, Ayya Tathaaloka, Setsuan Gaelyn Godwin, and David Matsumoto explore their traditions' different perspectives on awakening.

Sekkei Harada Roshi Zazen Zen skandhas Buddhadharma

The Key to Zen

Zen teachings by Sekkei Harada Roshi

Living in the Divine Abodes

Heaven is nowhere else but right here on this earth, when we live with friendliness, compassion, joy, and equanimity.

It Would Be a Pity to Waste A Good Crisis

Zen teacher John Tarrant offers seven guidelines for taking advantage of life's crises and surprises

Pema Chodron, kd lang, lion's roar, shambhala sun, buddhism, music

Pema Chödrön & k.d. lang talk Buddhism, creativity, and “gapaciousness”

The beloved Buddhist teacher and famed singer discuss Buddhism, creativity, and "the gap."

Review: “The Truth of This Life”

We review "The Truth of This Life: Zen Teachings on Loving the World as It Is" by Katherine Thanas.

Grasshopper on a stalk of grass at sunet.

Touching the Ocean of Boundless Compassion

Mark Unno reflects on compassion as immersion into the sufferings of samsara, like a raindrop falling into the ocean.

How Jhana Quells the Five Hindrances

If you think you’re seeing things as they really are, think again. Unless you’ve had the deep experience of letting go, there is only a myriad of illusions.

Forum: Is Karma Fate or Freedom?

Rita Gross, Andrew Olendzki, and Larry Ward explain what karma is, how it works, and why it’s not all bad news. Introduction by David Loy.

Review: “I Wanna Be Well”

We review "I Wanna Be Well: How a Punk Found Peace and You Can Too" by Miguel Chen with Rod Meade Sperry.

Investigating the Rainbow Body

Michael Sheehy reviews "Rainbow Body and Resurrection" by Francis V. Tiso.

Review: “Holy Rascals”

We review "Holy Rascals: Advice for Spiritual Revolutionaries" by Rami Shapiro.

Plane going down.

Facing Death, Mindfully

Bhante Henepola Gunaratana tells the story of coming face-to-face with death when his plane's engine set on fire.

Review: “Aging with Wisdom”

We review "Aging with Wisdom: Reflections, Stories & Teachings" by Olivia Ames Hoblitzelle.

Pema Khandro Rinpoche Recites a Prayer to Awaken Bodhicitta

Pema Khandro Rinpoche offers a recitation from the Vajrayana tradition to awaken bodhicitta, or enlightened mind.