Zen Wisdom for Your Everyday Life

So much of the time we are searching here and there for what belongs to us. We have no idea that right in the midst of our lives is our very own treasure house.. It's there, waiting to be opened, enj…

It is so easy to get caught up in the scenery of life and be distracted from the journey we are on. All kinds of different scenery appears as we go along, beautiful days, thunder clouds, intoxicating…

As we approach a New Year, in order to make it new, it is necessary to approach it differently, or we get the same old thing again and again... When one asks what is Zen and how can it be helpful, an…

Is there something we can depend upon whole heartedly that will never let us down? It seems as if that's impossible in this ever changing world. Throughout our lives we try everything, hoping to rece…

It might seem that it is impossible to be planted, centered and unshakeable amidst the many storms and shocks life brings our way. Being tossed around by the winds of change and by unexpected events …

Most of the time we are dissatisfied with what's going on. Nothing is as we wanted it to be, or just right.  The gifts we receive, the people we meet,  the results of our efforts seldom hit the spot.…

Most of the time we cling tightly to whatever we have, and consider the clinging to be love. But clinging leads to sorrow. Attachment leads to grasping and fear and is not healthy.  Also, attachment …

Zen practice is actually the opposite of many practices.  Here, we stop seeking anything and develop the ability to  be with everything just as it is. And relish it.
In most practices and in our life …

We're right in the midst of the holiday season, offering thanks, giving gifts. But rather than being only joyous, this time of year can become fraught with anxiety. These kinds of questions accost us…

So often we become hurt in our relationships and have no idea why. When something seems sweet and enticing, we feel it is good for us, and beneficial.  When we have happy feelings or think our needs …

When we practice Zen principles and actually live them in our relationships what we are doing is building a foundation for love. These principles do not only belong to Zen, but are part of all the wo…

We are all longing for the right relationship, one where we feel loved, safe and understood. However, despite how much we try to make that happen, it is very common for disappointment and conflict to…

We believe that each day is like another and that we return to the same situation again and again. Some feel stuck by this, others feel there are endless chances to do what is needed. What we do not …

There are so many voices, sounds, and noises that confront us hour by hour, day by day.  They easily becoming disturbing, confusing and contradict one another. Rather than understanding, confusion an…

Real meetings are magical. They happen spontaneously when we least expect it. As we let go of our usual routines, expectations and that which we depend upon, an opening can happen for a real meeting …

In Zen practice, every moment counts, every detail of our life calls for  attention. A famous Zen saying says, "Messy shoes, messy mind." This guides us not to throw things around, helter skelter, bu…

Not realizing who we truly are, we constantly struggle to prove our worth. One activity and relationship after another is used to feel good about ourselves, to attain a meaningful identity. And this …

A well known saying in Zen is, "When they come, we welcome, when they go, we do not pursue." This beautiful teaching is in itself the heartbeat of our practice.  As we sit in zazen and do not move, w…

We live most of our lives in thoughts, images,  dreams and expectations. When something comes to an end, or when we feel lost and confused, the question comes, "Where is the next step?" There is alwa…

Our lives are guided by our hopes for either the past or future. We hope to change or hold onto people and events in the past, or gain something new and important in the future. This focus often blin…