Dear Friends and Family, I am writing to you from my favorite place on earth, Wat Songdhammakalyani in Thailand. The temple is my sanctuary—that sacred place of belonging that I call home. I feel humbled, grateful and privileged to have received temporary ordination from my teacher Venerable Dhammananda Bhikkhuni Mahatheri. The process has been both intense and wonderful. This is [...]
Everything was going smoothly when BAM! My body brought me to a screeching halt. I was having a really nice day. I had driven myself to a small coastal town that I love, Pt. Reyes Station in Marin County, California. I sat outdoors at my favorite café and ordered my favorite salad. I went shopping and bought myself a candle, [...]
Meditation is a practice that requires patience. I start meditating first thing in the morning because my anxiety is strongest then. Meditation calms my mind and helps me be more present and attentive to what’s going on around me. Yesterday, however, I didn’t take the time to meditate. Big mistake! I spent the day running, literally and physically from one [...]
Where were you when you heard the announcement that Joe Biden was the declared winner in our presidential election? It was 8:27 am in Northern California on a Saturday morning. I was hiking with a group of fourteen women who call ourselves the Thrive Tribe sisters. The fall air was cool and crisp as we made our way along the [...]
Like many of my She Writes Press sisters, I was disappointed when the pandemic struck, partly, because my book launch event scheduled for May 20thwill likely be cancelled. I felt genuine sorrow for the people whose family members are impacted with the illness. I was shocked when I learned that a husband of a close friend of mine passed away [...]
When I flew back from Thailand one week ago, my life changed dramatically. I admit it's been a bit challenging for me to go from the warm and loving environment of the monastery to living on my own in my condo. At the monastery I was never fully alone. Whenever I wanted company I could leave my room and be [...]