Building a healthy community is very important to our practice. Within this caring community we are liberated from our perceptions of separateness. We are free to share our practice, our reflections and ourselves, openly. This nurturing environment allows us to let go of judgment and misperceptions because we know that in this group, there is positive company, love and support.

Have you been waiting for a little extra motivation to get outside and exercise? Luckily, spring is the season of activity for a cause and there are hundreds of events in the coming months dedicated to supporting nonprofits through gifts of time and physical activity.

The average American eats about two-and-a-half cups of fruits and vegetables each day—and if you subtract potatoes and fruit juice, even less than that! On average, Americans only eat about ¾ of a cup of dark green vegetables each week—about a tenth of a cup a day.  That’s far short of the amounts that nutrition experts recommend to stay healthy

In this short video Thay discusses nirvana. Here is a transcription of some of his key points:

An alarming study reveals high levels of drug resistant Staph bacteria in meat and poultry sold in U.S. grocery stores.

When we see a blooming flower, its natural beauty and fragrance never fail to lift our spirit no matter which corner of the globe we are in. Flowers bring us much joy and are a universal expression of love and appreciation for others, both in celebration and memorials. Yet a flower withers shortly after it blooms- a profound reminder of the impermanence of all life. Being with a flower mindfully is a deep meditation.

Vitamin D is sometimes called the “sunshine vitamin,” since our skin makes this essential nutrient when it is exposed to the sun’s rays. So, with the longer, sunnier days of spring upon us, do we need to be concerned about vitamin D?

Q: What is the best way to relieve my suffering and the suffering of my friends and family?