“There are hundreds of activities designed for protection that are supposed to prevent negative energy from disrupting the healthy or healing state, such as wearing amulets or saying magical words. I’ve probably tried them all! “After a lot of disappointment, dashed hopes, and discouragement regarding techniques, I found that the only true stability and protection…

Many Buddhists are observing an intensive period of meditation this week. You can learn more about Rohatsu, the commemoration of Buddha’s enlightenment, by reading the marvelous articles here and here. Writes Shodo Harada Roshi: The Buddha was enlightened on the eighth of December when he looked up at the morning star, the planet we call…

From now until the Winter Solstice on December 21st, we will be experiencing some of the year’s darkest, shortest days. I used to hate stumbling around with the kids and their bookbags at 5 p.m. in the early dark. I still find it harder to rise at 6:30 a.m. to walk the dog before sunrise.…

As an act of atonement, I guess, Phillip-Morris has launched a television ad campaign and a website to counsel parents on how to prevent their kids from smoking cigarettes. Here’s a chart they use to explain why kids keep smoking: “stress relief”–a.k.a. not looking cool–apparently is the most common reason.

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