How Do We Measure Progress?

Ronald Colman argues for a more human and sustainable measure of progress than simple economic growth, one that truly reflects what we value in life.

The Wisdom of Shambhala

In the classic Shambhala: The Sacred Path of the Warrior, Chogyam Trungpa offered a powerful vision of spirituality founded on basic human wisdom, a path of meditation and warriorship for people of any belief or way of life. In this chapter from the long-awaited sequel, entitled Great Eastern Sun: The Wisdom of Shambhala, Chogyam Trungpa discusses Working with Early Morning Depression. Introduction by Diana Mukpo.

The Rain and the Temple

"Pushing the dripping hair from my face, the rain running down my cheeks, I speak to my old teacher. ‘I’m here. It took me a while, but I made it.’

Jon Kabat Zinn: The Prescription is Meditation

From the inner city to hospitals and prisons, Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn’s meditation courses are helping thousands handle illness stress, anger and addiction.

Mind at Peace, Body in Balance

A look at healing meditations developed by Tulku Thondup Rinpoche, author of The Healing Power of Mind.

Sex & Buddhism

Robin Kornman argues that, unlike other religions, Buddhism doesn’t view sex as a particularly important spiritual issue.

Penis Passion

bell hooks argues that our erotic lives are enhanced when men and women can celebrate the penis in ways that don't uphold macho stereotypes.

Liberalism and Religion – We Should Talk

Liberalism's objections to mythic forms do not apply to formless awareness. Thus liberalism and authentic spirituality can walk hand in hand.

Pure Passion

Judith Simmer-Brown on the role of desire in Buddhist Tantra: "The intensity of desire can only be liberated by desire itself."

Post-Porn Priestess of Pleasure: Annie Sprinkle Takes a Sex-Positive Position

Former porn-star, now artist and educator, Annie Sprinkle's real specialty is the public display of a positive attitude toward sex.

Confessions of a Spiritual Shopper

Don Morreale on checking out the Buddhist scene and finding what’s right for you. (It only took him thirty years to decide.)

Time for Boomers to Ponder Old Age

So perhaps this is an apt time to discover dignity in old age, lest my generation become for a puling exit from the stage of life.

Is It Only Rock and Roll?

"I am constantly asked, why pay any attention to any of it? Isn't this middle brow culture somehow not really spiritual? What a small God, that."

Ordinary Initiations

"I've come to think that experiences of initiation are very common, very ordinary, very subtle. They happen to us all as a natural part of living."

Howard Cutler and the Dalai Lama’s Art of Happiness

The Shambhala Sun talks to psychiatrist Howard Cutler about The Art of Happiness, the book based on his series of conversations with the Dalai Lama.

Open to Understanding

The longing to be understood is very strong but it is in direct conflict with ego’s desire to be seen as independent and admirable. Karen Kissel Wegela on giving the ego a break and opening up instead.

Why We Travel: A Love Affair with the World

Like falling in love, travel throws us into a state of delight, uncertainty and self-discovery. Like lovers, travelers both give and receive.

Ain’t She Still a Woman?

Increasingly, patriarchy is offered as the solution to the crisis black men face. Black women face a culture where everyone wants us to stay in our place.

The Llama and the Shmuck

I confide my feelings to Bubo as if he were a therapist; he doesn't comment because he's a Freudian llama.

There Are No Words

Roshi Bernard Glassman discusses his practice of bereavement following the death of his wife and dharma partner, Sensei Sandra Jishu Holmes.