Monday morning I woke up and did what I have done every Monday morning for the past three weeks: I practiced a compassion meditation in honor of my recently deceased father. He had been sick for many years before he passed and, as odd as it may sound, had a...

A woman hosts a costume party in her home where everyone is supposed to show up dressed as an emotion. The woman finds herself shocked when she opens her front door and her friend is completely naked, except for a pear around his penis. "Larry! What are you supposed to...

I recently read that out of the millions of Americans who set a New Year's resolution for themselves only 8 percent are successful at achieving them. It's not easy to intentionally effect change in your life, yet through setting an intention and building a lifestyle around that motivation it can...

On July 13, 2012, 29-year-old Obama campaign staffer Alex Okrent collapsed unexpectedly in the Chicago headquarters. He was rushed to the hospital where he died, surrounded by his loving family. That evening, Mitt Romney tweeted, "Ann & I were deeply saddened to learn of the death of Alex Okrent. Prayers...

Ten years ago, when I was an undergrad, I felt alone. I was known for two things around campus: the first was being a "hardcore" Buddhist and the second always being up for going out on the town with friends. I would drink, have sex and do a lot of...

My first interaction with Sakyong Mipham was when I was 13 years old. My friends and I were at the local lake, having just perfected the classic teenage sand mandala of the day, when the Sakyong walked by on his way to cool down in the waters. "Rinpoche," I inquired,...

Before Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment he was a confused 20 and 30-something looking to learn how to live a spiritual life. Each time in this column we look at what it might be like if a fictional Siddhartha was on his spiritual journey today. How would he combine Buddhism and...

When I was seven years old, my first grade teacher asked everyone to draw what they wanted to be when they grew up. I remember walking around my classroom, learning all about my classmates' long-term aspirations. Not surprisingly for this Manhattan private school, it was a room full of aspiring...

Before Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment he was a confused twenty and thirty-something looking to learn how to live a spiritual life. Each time in this column we look at what it might be like if a fictional Siddhartha was on his spiritual journey today. How would he combine Buddhism and...

Before Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment he was a confused 20- and 30-something looking to learn how to live a spiritual life. Each time in this column we look at what it might be like if a fictional Siddhartha was on his spiritual journey today. How would he combine Buddhism and...

Over the last ten years of teaching at meditation centers, I have seen an incredible spectrum of people coming in the doors, seeking something. They might say they want to feel more grounded, less stressed out at work, or that they are dealing with some tough emotional issues. "Would you...

Before Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment he was a confused twenty or thirty-something looking to learn how to live a spiritual life. Each time in this column we look at what it might be like if a fictional Siddhartha was on his spiritual journey today. How would he combine Buddhism and...

Many people look to Siddhartha Gautama as an example of someone who attained nirvana, a buddha. In this column we look at what it might be like if Siddhartha were on his spiritual journey today. How would he combine Buddhism and dating? How would he handle stress in the workplace?...

Dear Harry (can I call you that? I feel like we've grown pretty familiar in the last 17 years you've been predicting the Rapture would occur),

We live in a very scary world. Wars don't seem to have end dates anymore. They drag on for years without any given side...

Before Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment he was a confused 20- and 30-something looking to learn how to live a spiritual life. Each week in this column we look at what it might be like if a fictional Siddhartha was on his spiritual journey today. How would he combine Buddhism and...

How can meditators help with the widespread destruction caused by the earthquake and tsunami in Japan?

The following is a first-hand account of what not to do after your proposal.

The week before last, I asked my long-time girlfriend to marry me. I got the engagement ring, called her folks for their blessing, got into my fanciest suit, tied the ring around the dog's neck, lit...

Many people look to Siddhartha Gautama as an example of someone who attained nirvana, a buddha. Every other week in this column we look at what it might be like if Siddhartha were on his spiritual journey today. How would he combine Buddhism and dating? How would he handle stress...

Many people look to Siddhartha Gautama as an example of someone who attained nirvana, a buddha. Every other week in this column we look at what it might be like if Siddhartha were on his spiritual journey today. How would he combine Buddhism and dating? How would he handle stress...

Many people look to Siddhartha Gautama as an example of someone who attained nirvana, a buddha. Every other week in this column we look at what it might be like if Siddhartha were on his spiritual journey today. How would he combine Buddhism and dating? How would he handle stress...