Caught up in a spider’s web and fluttering its wings vigourously, I saw a butterfly in distress while walking down the green belt, near my home, one morning. The call of my winged friend, crying for help, rang loud on my ears. A few quick steps through the tall grass and weeds, crossing the boundaries of ‘self’, I reached out … Read More
Flowers Along My Path: Balancing a Spiritual Life Amidst Worldly Struggles
Early on, in my journey on the path, I nursed an idyllic imagination of life. It was like the Finding Happiness movie story, being just as what I saw of the people living in the Ananda Village. As beginner’s luck would have it, some early experiences drew me deeper into this dream. I imagined myself meditating for long hours, doing … Read More
I Walk with Beauty
One of my favorite prayers comes from the “Blessing Ceremony” of the Navajo people, the largest tribal nation in America. With beauty before me I walk. With beauty behind me I walk. With beauty below me I walk. With beauty above me I walk. With beauty all around me may I walk. Through the returning seasons, may I walk. … Read More
Practices to Reinspire Your Spiritual Life
“Are three hours of meditation possible?” This was a thought running in my mind when we decided our routine in the monastery in Khandala. Three hours of group meditation supported by time for individual meditations! This, to me, didn’t sound difficult, but my concern was: “how can I keep my practices inspiring and regular?” To my amazement, however, it’s been … Read More