Stillness in the Canyon: A Meditative Hike Along the Backbone Trail
I recently hiked the Backbone Trail in Topanga, one of my favorite trails for its long, winding beauty and hidden corners of peace. Midway through, I paused at a rock overlook above a small gorge—where a trickling stream forms pools full of dragonflies and frogs. I meditated by the water, imagining what it might be like to be a cave yogi tucked away in silence. This journal entry captures the magic of that day: the quiet, the reflections, and the grounding energy of the land.
How to Meditate When You’re Anxious
Meditation is one of the best ways to calm anxiety—but what if sitting still feels impossible? Instead of forcing traditional meditation, try approaches designed for anxious moments, like mindful breathing, movement-based meditation, and grounding techniques. Here’s how to make meditation easier when your mind won’t slow down.
Why Your Evening Routine Needs Meditation (And How to Make It Happen)
The way you end your day affects how well you sleep and how you feel the next morning. If stress and racing thoughts keep you up at night, meditation can help you transition into a restful state. In this post, we explore why evening meditation is so powerful and how to easily incorporate it into your nightly routine.
Quick & Effective Morning Meditation Hacks
Mornings can feel rushed, but a few mindful moments can transform your entire day. Whether you have time for deep breathing, intention-setting, or a quiet cup of tea, these simple morning meditation hacks help you feel more grounded, focused, and present. Try one tomorrow and see how it shifts your mindset!
Honoring My Grandfather: Crossing a Threshold and Embracing Change
Returning home for my grandfather’s funeral was more than a moment of remembrance—it became a journey of transformation. From the solemn beauty of his military service to an unexpected speech at the reception, I found myself reflecting on presence, letting go, and the quiet ways we step into new roles within our families. In honoring his life, I also recognized a shift within myself—one that felt like both an ending and a new beginning.
Symbols in Meditation: How Mandalas and Yantras Can Guide Your Practice
Symbols like mandalas and yantras can serve as powerful tools for focus and transformation. These sacred geometric patterns have been used for centuries to center the mind and unlock deeper states of awareness. Whether you gaze, visualize, or create them, incorporating these symbols into your meditation can enhance your practice in profound ways.
The Best Meditation Props: Cushions, Timers, and Tools to Enhance Your Practice
Meditation is simple, but the right tools can make it easier and more enjoyable. Whether you’re looking for better posture support, a way to time your sessions, or sensory elements to deepen relaxation, certain meditation props can transform your practice. In this guide, we explore the best cushions, timers, and accessories to help you meditate with greater ease and consistency.
Do You Need a Meditation Teacher? When to Seek Guidance vs. Go Solo
Meditation can be a deeply personal journey, but at some point, you may wonder—should I get a teacher? Some people thrive in self-guided practice, while others benefit from structure, accountability, and expert guidance. In this post, we explore when to go solo, when to seek instruction, and how to decide what’s best for your meditation practice.
Planting Seeds: A Garden, A Practice, A Path
Spring has arrived, bringing new life to the retreat center. As Katy and I planted a garden, we saw reflections of the spiritual path in the process—loosening the soil like moving qi, tending to seeds like tending to meditation. Growth, whether in a garden or within, takes patience and care. Read on for reflections on gardening, mindfulness, and the lessons nature teaches.
Why Nature Is the Ultimate Meditation Teacher
Nature has long been a source of spiritual insight, offering silent yet profound lessons in presence, patience, and change. Unlike structured meditation, it teaches through direct experience—through the stillness of landscapes, the movement of water, and the rhythms of weather. This post explores how the natural world can become your greatest meditation teacher.
How to Combine Meditation with Journaling for Deeper Insight
Meditation helps us quiet the mind, while journaling gives us space to process and express what arises. When combined, these two practices create a powerful tool for self-reflection and personal growth. Whether you journal before, after, or as a meditation practice itself, this guide will help you find a rhythm that works for you.
Breathwork vs. Meditation: What’s the Difference and Which One Is Right for You?
Breathwork and meditation are often confused, but they serve distinct purposes. Breathwork actively shifts your energy and mood through controlled breathing, while meditation fosters inner stillness and awareness over time. Whether you're looking for quick stress relief or long-term mindfulness, understanding when to use each practice can enhance your well-being. Learn the key differences, when to use breathwork versus meditation, and try simple exercises to experience both firsthand.
A Week of Worship: Part 2 – Birthday and Kali Mandir
Turning 35 felt like stepping into a new phase of spiritual growth. To celebrate, I took a road trip with my girlfriend, Katy, to Kali Mandir, a serene temple dedicated to the goddess Kali. The day unfolded as a journey of renewal—starting with an intense Thai massage, followed by a fiery lemongrass soup, and culminating in a kirtan that filled the temple with rhythmic drumming and chants. As Katy meditated on a yantra, I reflected on a simple truth: the real pilgrimage is always within.
A Week of Worship: Part 1 – Shivaratri Celebration
Shivaratri is always an intense experience, and this most recent celebration was no different. From sundown to sunrise, we immersed ourselves in meditation, chanting, and ritual offerings. Held in my guru’s old art studio—an expansive space filled with his visionary paintings and sculptures—the night carried an unmistakable energy. For the first time, I managed to stay awake through every session, feeling deeply connected to the tradition, the teachings, and the moment.
Forest Bathing Benefits: How Nature Can Transform Your Health
Many of us grew up playing outdoors, building rock bridges in streams, and exploring the woods behind our homes. Yet, as digital lifestyles and urbanization pull us indoors, we’ve seen a rise in what Richard Louv calls “Nature Deficit Disorder.” The good news? Reconnecting with nature can be transformative. Forest bathing, a practice rooted in Japanese medicine, is scientifically proven to reduce stress, improve breathing, and even boost immune function. Whether it's a walk in the woods or simply breathing in the forest air, the benefits are profound. Here's how you can embrace nature and start forest bathing today!
Morning vs. Evening Meditation: Which One Is Right for You?
Wondering whether to meditate in the morning or evening? Both have unique benefits—morning meditation helps set a focused and productive tone for the day, while evening meditation promotes relaxation and better sleep. This guide explores the advantages of each and helps you decide which is best for your lifestyle, energy levels, and personal goals.
How to Use a Neti Pot: A Step-by-Step Guide
Imagine breathing in air as pure as that found on a Himalayan mountaintop—a serene, uninterrupted flow of breath. Unfortunately, most of us live amid urban pollution, allergens, or household dust that can block and irritate our airways, hindering the quality of our meditation practice. That’s why nasal cleansing, or neti, is such a valuable tool for modern meditators. In this article, we’ll guide you through the practice of neti, one of yoga’s ancient internal cleansing techniques, to help you breathe deeply, clear your sinuses, and prepare for a more focused meditation.
Hot-Cold Therapy: A Daily Experiment in Detox and Clarity
At our retreat center, my girlfriend and I have embarked on an exciting experiment with hot-cold therapy. By alternating between relaxing sauna sessions and invigorating cold plunges, we've discovered a practical routine that supports detoxification, boosts circulation, and clears the mind. Dive into our journey to learn how this practice is enhancing our overall wellness and inner clarity.
Here's How Yoga Is More Than Just Fitness
Many of us begin our yoga journey thinking it’s all about physical fitness — but yoga is so much more. Rooted in ancient wisdom, yoga offers a holistic path to purify the body, mind, and spirit. This post explores Patanjali's eight limbs of yoga, a guide to experiencing the true depth of yoga practice beyond just asanas. Discover the transformative stages, from physical postures to meditation and blissful transcendence.
Here's the Real Difference Between Meditation and Mindfulness
Discover the subtle yet impactful distinctions between meditation and mindfulness. While often used interchangeably, these practices vary in direction, method, and outcomes, each bringing unique benefits. Learn how meditation turns attention inward for focused calm, while mindfulness keeps awareness open to the present.