Fresh Start: Lessons from a Daffodil
March 24, 2026
And still the daffodil strikes out, rises up, throwing open its petals – yellow, brilliant, courageous in its innocence. A fresh start. … More Fresh Start: Lessons from a Daffodil
Category: Blog
Cutting Through Views: Three Practice Verses by Machig Labdrön
January 19, 2021
Published on the Lion’s Roar website
Machig Labdrön, the founder of Chöd, taught there is no view we can’t cut through, no perspective we can’t let go of. Charlotte Z. Rotterdam shares three verses by Machig that we can carry with us in our daily lives.
Click here to read the article on Lion’s Roar https://www.lionsroar.com/cutting-through-views-three-practice-verses-by-machig-labdron/ … More Cutting Through Views: Three Practice Verses by Machig Labdrön
“Look in the Way of Not Looking:” Reflections from Retreat
September 16, 2020
In May 2020, I had the fortune of engaging in one month of solitary retreat, supported by a grant from the Hemera Foundation. I spent a portion of my time … More “Look in the Way of Not Looking:” Reflections from Retreat
Awakened Heart: Reflections on these Times
March 29, 2020
There is such a vast array of emotions circulating through us in these strange times. I hear about sadness, uncertainty, anxiety, fear. I also hear about gratitude, a sense of … More Awakened Heart: Reflections on these Times
Everyday Compassion: Minding the Stranger
October 7, 2019
It’s easy to feel compassion for those closest to us, our loved ones or those who have been generous to us. Our care arises almost of its own accord. On … More Everyday Compassion: Minding the Stranger
Jewel of the Charnel Ground
September 12, 2018
There’s something hauntingly inspiring about the charnel ground image for me, the place where that which we continuously avoid and cover up is finally revealed, exposed, laid bare. With its … More Jewel of the Charnel Ground
Enough Already! Hungry Ghosts & the Practice of Savoring
May 1, 2018
There’s a certain time of day when I get the nibbles – usually late afternoon but sometimes at night, right before bed. I open kitchen cabinets, the fridge, the chip … More Enough Already! Hungry Ghosts & the Practice of Savoring
Vajra Pride: Awakening Primordial Self-Esteem
February 7, 2018
I’ve always thought of Pride as one of the Seven Deadly Sins, right up there with Lust, Gluttony and Avarice. In the Buddhist tradition, pride is one of the five … More Vajra Pride: Awakening Primordial Self-Esteem
Looking Forward to Now
November 27, 2017
The Buddhist teachings on mindfulness invite us to become fully present in each moment, yet I realize how much of my time is spent anticipating some future event. Sometimes it’s … More Looking Forward to Now
Turning into Darkness
October 17, 2017
We humans seem to come pre-programmed with a primeval fear of negativity.
We are so deeply conditioned to turn away from what we sense or perceive as negative, uncomfortable, painful, or unpleasant that we mostly do it automatically. Ironically, the avoidance itself is often very uncomfortable. It seldom leads to a sunny disposition, instead depositing us in the borderlands around our shadows.
So how to deal with this? … More Turning into Darkness
The Suffering of Busyness Part II: Poverty Mentality and Dissatisfaction – Reclaiming the All-Accomplished Moment
August 29, 2017
In Part I I reflected on busyness as a response to a fear of space which we try to cover up through activities and distraction. Another way to look at … More The Suffering of Busyness Part II: Poverty Mentality and Dissatisfaction – Reclaiming the All-Accomplished Moment
The Suffering of Busyness
August 14, 2017
I recently heard about a study that found that “busyness” is the new status symbol. I grew up with images of the rich and powerful lounging on a long white beach, drink in-hand and not a care in the world. Now it seems that you prove your social standing by flaunting the number of engagements, commitments and responsibilities you have on any given day. The study showed that this is as true among the working class as it is for the middle and upper-middle classes. I have to admit: too often I find myself commiserating with a friend about my long to-do lists, my numerous and scattered work duties, child care needs, the dirty house, my forever overflowing inbox… It’s an easy – and seemingly always accurate – answer to “how are you?” Busy, busy, busy. Like we all are… … More The Suffering of Busyness