Renunciation is one of the most beneficial, empowering, and freeing practices of Buddhism. As its purpose is to heighten the best qualities of our hearts and minds, renunciation is not meant to diminish our lives but rather to enhance them. Abstaining from intoxicating drinks and drugs—the fifth ethical precept—is an important Buddhist practice that can reveal the power of renunciation. On the surface, the fifth precept differs from the first four in being more personal than interpersonal. Killing, stealing, sexual…

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The July-September 2015 IMC Newsletter is now available.

The April-June 2015 IMC Newsletter is now available.

The Winter-Spring 2015 IRC Newsletter is now available.

Fundamentally, Buddhist practice is a training in peace—and Buddhist ethics serve as a protection of this peace. As our sense of ease, harmony, and calm deepen with our practice, we begin to understand how our ethical choices impact our experience of peace, and we see that the five Buddhist precepts safeguard our well-being. Because we so frequently talk and communicate with others, the fourth precept—avoiding false speech—is particularly relevant in our daily lives. Living by this precept protects us, and…

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The October-December 2014 IMC Newsletter is now available.

The Summer 2014 IRC Newsletter is now available.

Dear  Friends, As we finish our second amazing year of running our retreat center we have a clearer understanding and vision of what will help the center thrive well into the future. Coincidently and surprisingly we have been given the opportunity to accomplish this! Recently, the property next door went up for sale. It includes one forested acre with a 3-bedroom house. Owning this property will allow us to have more resident volunteers caring for our center and our retreats. This…

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The second Buddhist ethical precept—to refrain from taking what is not given— can be a source of happiness in a number of ways. For example, knowing we have not hurt others by stealing from them is one small form of the happiness that comes from this precept. Knowing that we’re a person others regard as trustworthy and safe, someone they don’t have to fear will steal from them, is another cause of happiness. And still another form of happiness is…

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The July-September 2014 IMC Newsletter is now available.

The intention to not cause harm lies at the heart of Buddhist ethical and spiritual life. The commitment to non-harming leads to a life committed to not killing, which is the first of the five precepts undertaken by Buddhists the world over. The first precept has implications in many areas of our lives, some personal and others societal. Close to home it may relate to such issues as eating meat, hunting, having firearms, self-defense, and pest-management. Both at personal and…

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Unhindered: A Mindful Path Through the Five Hindrances   Gil Fronsdal’s new book is now available. It can be ordered through Amazon and maybe available through special order at a local bookstore.  It provides a detailed discussion of each of the five hindrances.  These are the mental states that present the most common obstacles to meditation.  As such, all meditators should become familiar with the hindrances and how to work with them. The book provides instruction on how to turn the…

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