On my last morning in Mandalay, Burma (Myanmar), my rickshaw driver pedaled me across town and to the river, where, at around 6am, I would embark on a 12-hour boat ride down the Irrawaddy River to Pagan (Bagan). I was surprised when he began an impromptu discussion of politics – a topic publicly forbidden in this military dictatorship. He told me of his disgust for the generals in charge, who he called ‘fake’ Buddhists, and his respect for Aung Sun Suu Kyi.  Then he... Read more

“LONG BEACH, Calif. (May 1, 2011) Due to a minor illness the Dalai Lama is canceling his scheduled public talk at the Long Beach Terrace Theater today at 2:30pm PST May 1, 2011. Wisdom and Compassion weekend continues with a 4:00– 6:00 pm Mandala Viewing & Ritual Dissolution, Thangka display (Buddhist Religious Art), sales of books and other Buddhist items Free & located at the Center Theater Lobby Further information can be found at www.gstdl.org. Ticket refund information is forthcoming and... Read more

This last week saw three very notable articles about science and meditation in the global media. The articles, following recent scientific research into meditation, describe meditation as making people more rational, more attentive, and -at the chromosomal level- more likely to living longer, healthier lives. First, from USATODAY, an article titled, “Meditation makes people more rational decision-makers.”  There we read that subjects were tested by being asked if they would accept a modest gift from a relative who had just won a... Read more

The usual for springtime in Montana. We see sunshine and even, dare I say, warmth breaking through the days of grey and stunning storms rolling over and through the mountain peaks standing out so clear in the distance. To the north, the drama of storms coming and going. And this same day, traveling south a bit, the sun blessed two intrepid hikers and a smiling, fearful shepherd named Twist. That night the snow blanketed the whole valley, thick and wet and... Read more

If useless things do not hang in your mindAny season is a good season to you. — Lines from a Zen Poem* Photo from my folks’ front porch last night. While spring blossoms in much of the world, it’s still mighty wintery here in Montana.  * from Zen Catholicism by Dom Aelred Grham (Buy it at Betterworld Books) Read more

Following the words of the Buddha and other greats like Kant, I tend to place greatest importance on the mind, the intention behind all words and actions. Experiences are preceded by mindMind is their master, by mind they are madeIf, with a mind corrupted, one speaks or actsThenceforth he will be followed by sufferingLike the wheel follows the hoof [of the animal] that bears [the cart]. – The Buddha, Dhammapada verse 1 But at times it is important to examine the power... Read more

This just came to me from one of my friends and I hope someone who reads this might be able to help: I am making an appeal to help one of our local merchants, Sue Neff of Neff’s Animal Specialties  2421 Benton Avenue Missoula, MT 59801-7666  (406) 549-2379. She is 70 yrs old and  has run a pet store in Missoula for many years and has taught agility training. She has  a son who has had a lifelong seizure disorder which... Read more

Close your eyes. Imagine Buddha seated in front of you. Spend a moment scanning the scene. What features does your Buddha have? This is an interesting practice not only because it is a very common traditional practice of Buddhism, the recollection or visualization of the Buddha, but also for what it tells us about our conditioning, cultural or otherwise. Odds are, you’re not visualizing Keanu Reeves, from his role as the Buddha in “Little Buddha.” But perhaps something close? With... Read more

Quite an amazing book – really a must read for conscientious travelers not only to Asia but other parts of the world that have been in any way isolated from Western influence. Along with reading the book, I have the great honor of interviewing the author, Jeff Rasley, by email. Come back Monday for a full review and interview. Until then, you can get your copy of  Bringing Progress to Paradise: What I Got from Giving to a Mountain Village... Read more

For those in the Missoula, Montana area: Monday, April 4 · 7:00pm Location Rocky Mountain School of Photography (Quarry room, downstairs)216 N. Higgins Come live vicariously through photos from across northern India (Dharamsala, Varanasi, Bodh Gaya, and Calcutta) and Burma. I spent last fall teaching Buddhist Philosophy in Bodh Gaya, India, and had the great fortune to travel around the country a bit. In January I made my way to Burma (Myanmar), a country still incredibly rich in its Buddhist... Read more