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I belong hereYou belong hereWe belong hereWe won’t belong here We could be…A harmonious collection of energiesA cacophony of beautyWe call this intentional communityA hodge podgeOf this and thatBusiness suits meets dirty slacks Always putting people outWhat about bringing em inAlways silencing voicesWhat about listening earsQuestions and queryOh myAre we not wearyOf the toilThe burdenThe […]

This letter was written in Spanish originally. You can find the Spanish version below. My dear, patient, Kique, You’ve turned 42 and you look so well! I’m very happy that you returned to the Buddhist path two years ago. You’ve realized what transformation it has brought for you and those around you. This path brings joy […]

The retreat has also reminded me of nourishing affirmations. Be gentle to myself. Be kind to myself. I’m grateful for my supportive family, amazing friends, and a home to continue my path of healing. I promise to take care of my inner child, Hannah Banana, better every day. I will keep in touch with her so that we can be honest with each other. If we are worried about something, I’ll breathe with her and I will share our difficulties with others for support.

Friends attended “Protecting & Transforming” retreat were invited to practice the Five Remembrances * together by sharing their experience with another retreatant. After the sharing, each friend was encouraged to write a living will letter to their beloved. This is an act of love to themselves and especially, to their beloved ones. Impermanence is a […]

This letter was written by a teenager who visited the monastery for the first time and stayed five days practicing with friends. One night, the teenagers were invited for an activity called “Dear Present Me”. They were encouraged to write a love letter to themselves, a letter that gives them strength, courage and determination in […]

This letter was written by a teenager who visited the monastery for the first time and stayed five days practicing with his friends. One night, the teenagers were invited for an activity called “Dear Present Me”. They were encouraged to write a love letter to themselves, a letter that gives them strength, courage and determination […]

I make movies about martial arts, science fiction, killer robots, funny cartoon characters, pretty girls.  And I love it. An article in the Washington Post about me once started this way: “…fights, explosions, mindblowing visual effects and hot babes – this is Larry Kasanoff’s formula for success in the movie business.” So how did I […]

Dear Sangha, Please accept my apologies for not letting you know sooner how transformative the retreat has been for my students. We arrived back in New Orleans after 8pm on Sunday. The students went home, slept, and luckily the very next morning we were all able to see each other again. We immediately sang together, […]

Retreat with high school students from New Orleans on March 17-21, 2012: the aftermath! Dear Sangha, I hope everyone is enjoying the day of mindfulness at the center. Here in New Orleans it is a beautiful, clear day…many birds are singing. I wanted to share with you several things that have happened since our return […]

In the time that has passed since I was at that monastery, I have often written you. I did not send the letters because the words seemed too feeble to express my gratitude. But today, while eating breakfast mindfully, I realized that the week I spent with you saved my life. I stopped eating and […]