by Abby Mushin Terris | Jan 9, 2021
Ordinarily when something exactly matches what we’ve wished for, we might say “Perfect!” — invoking the ordinary sense of “perfect.” And as such, when it’s perfect, it’s perfect, “Yes, thank you, that’s just what I wanted!” But when it’s not, it’s imperfect, “I’m...
by Abby Mushin Terris | Jan 1, 2021
The conditions in the world this last year have required us to live with great patience. Patience, kshanti, is regarded as one of the paramitas, the characteristics of enlightened beings, facing conditions with a clear eye, open mind and warm heart. Without patience,...
by Abby Mushin Terris | Dec 25, 2020
This Sunday we’ll be doing a short ceremony together on zoom after the sit, to share our practice vows for the coming year. Practice vows help us keep going deeper into our practice. To affirm publicly — to the sangha, to the teacher — your intention for...
by Abby Mushin Terris | Dec 18, 2020
When we take refuge in the Three Treasures, we are acknowledging the supreme value of being a human being, who is awake to all that she has received and continues receiving from the boundless web of life. And what she does with it. What comes along with our gifts?...
by Abby Mushin Terris | Dec 10, 2020
The more I look into the story of the Buddha’s life the more I appreciate the profound simplicity and depth of his primary teaching of the Middle Way. He grew up surrounded by all the luxuries that his time and exalted worldly position could offer. And yet as a human...
by Abby Mushin Terris | Dec 4, 2020
An out-of-season dandelion puff brought to mind how anywhere I am, and everything around me, expresses the dharma. The very form of the puff is an analog of impermanence, interdependence and no-self. This puff functions so beautifully to load the seeds for the next...
