Suffering is a loaded term. In Buddhism suffering – or rather: how not to suffer – is the crux of the practice. Many people associate suffering with physical pain, with the lack of a place to live, or with starvation, and therefore think that they...
Given the current covid-19 pandemic, the question: “What if everyone did this?” seems more relevant than ever. I’ve been asking myself this question for years, as a practice of compassion and mind training called Lojong. There is a lot we can learn from this practice:...
I had been looking forward to our trip to New Zealand for almost a year. Not that I haven’t been traveling enough, but work trips are not the same as exploring a new country with my husband. Despite my aim to live in the present...
After the rush of the holidays and with the knowingness it will still be a while till summer, you may be inclined to hunker down – hibernate if you could – or at least slow down your pace and spend more time attending to your...
It is the evening before Thanksgiving. I had planned to go to bed early. I wanted to go to a barre class in the morning, despite my recent knee surgery. I knew I wouldn’t be able to do the whole class. I thought it would...
This soup is super easy to make, and is so creamy you wouldn’t believe there is actually no cream in it! The secret? Let the potato get soft before you add the bouillon and cauliflower. It makes for a great lunch, with a green side salad...
At the beginning of fall you may feel the need for routine and structure in your life again. This is not only a logical reaction after the summer time of a more relaxed attitude towards work and obligations; it is actually an energetic predisposition. When...
Summer is most people’s favorite season. Generally, summer makes us feel better because it allows for spending more time outside. Being outdoors increases our exposure to the sun, which synthesizes vitamin D in our body that is good for our bones, and boosts our serotonin...
Springtime in the Northern Hemisphere seems equivalent to new beginnings: trees begin to bud and flowers start blooming. You may feel a need to ritually leave the winter sluggishness behind by cleaning out your home. This time of year is also perfect for doing a...
Essential Oils can be used in a variety of ways[1]: topically (on the skin), internally (ingesting a few drops with water, or directly under the tongue) and aromatically (by diffusing them). I use my oils in all three ways, depending on the oil and the...