Lessons from a Potluck: Authentic Relating and the Art of Connection
At a recent potluck in Topanga, I found myself reflecting on how we build meaningful connection. My friend Justin led an authentic relating exercise that brought strangers closer in minutes—reminding me that presence doesn’t just happen on a cushion. It lives in how we show up with one another.
Listening Inward: Reflections from a Satsang at Corazón
This week, I share reflections from a satsang (spiritual gathering) at Corazón Performing Arts in Topanga, led by Pandit Balmiki Sharma. We listened to devotional music, explored Vedic teachings, and sat together in stillness. It was a beautiful reminder that the path of meditation is also a path of listening—to ourselves, to teachers, and to the truth unfolding in the present moment.
5 Simple Nature Meditation Practices You Can Do Anywhere
Need peace but can’t escape to the mountains? These 5 easy nature meditation practices can be done at a park, in your backyard, or even on a quiet walk.
What Happens in Your Brain When You Meditate?
What really happens in your brain when you meditate? Learn the powerful mental and emotional shifts that take place—and how meditation rewires your mind for peace.
Cooking Up Connection: Reflections from a Week with School of Lunch
This week, our retreat property hosted School of Lunch, a spirited culinary retreat focused on traditional, nourishing food. In this journal entry, I reflect on the joy, chaos, and meaning that unfolded—from pot-and-pan drumming to raw milk chugging—and what it taught me about the spiritual power of food and shared meals.
How to Build a Simple Meditation Routine (Even if You’re Busy)
Think you’re too busy to meditate? Think again. This post shows you how to build a simple, no-pressure meditation routine that fits into your daily life — even if you only have 5 minutes. Perfect for beginners and anyone looking for calm in a chaotic schedule.
Why You Don’t Need the Perfect Morning to Meditate
Think you need a calm, quiet morning to meditate? Think again. This post explores why your practice doesn’t need to be perfect to be powerful, and how short, flexible moments of presence can make all the difference in real life.
5 Signs Your Meditation Practice Is Working (Even If It Doesn’t Feel Like It)
Meditation doesn’t always come with instant calm or clarity. In this post, we explore five often-overlooked signs that your practice is actually working—even if it doesn’t feel like it. A reassuring guide for anyone wondering, “Am I doing this right?”
Walking the Path: Guiding Vivobarefoot Through Nature and Meditation
When Vivobarefoot’s global team came to our Topanga retreat center for a multi-day conference, I had the chance to guide them in something close to my heart: meditation, movement, and connection to nature. What followed was a week of meaningful moments—early morning hikes, walking meditations, and quiet time beneath the trees.
Paradise Cove: A Hidden Gem for Meditation, Rest, and Sun
Sometimes meditation doesn’t look like sitting cross-legged—it looks like letting the tide roll over your toes or floating beneath a wide, blue sky. In this week’s post, I share a visit to Paradise Cove in Malibu—a new favorite spot that reminded me how simple moments in nature can open the door to peace and presence.
Protest as Presence: When Meditation Leads Us to Speak
Meditation doesn’t always mean silence. In this week’s post, I share reflections from a peaceful protest in Santa Monica—and explore how speaking up, especially when guided by inner clarity, can be a powerful act of mindfulness.
Planting Lavender: Cultivating Calm, One Root at a Time
Over Memorial Day weekend, I planted two dozen lavender plants along the orchard path at our Topanga retreat center. In this post, I share why we chose lavender, how i planted it, how we’re caring for it, and how it ties into our daily meditation practice, herbal wellness routines, and plans for the retreat property.
Starting a 4:30 AM Routine: Why We’re Rising Before the Sun
This week, Katy and I embarked on something ambitious: waking up at 4:30 am to start a brand-new morning routine. Our goal? To carve out dedicated time for contrast therapy (sauna and cold plunge) and yoga before the rest of the day unfolds.
The Spirit of Place: Meditation and Celebration at Topanga Day
Topanga Days is the canyon’s most spirited annual celebration—a music festival and parade that bring the whole community together in color and motion. In this journal entry, I reflect on how Katy and I found presence in the middle of it all—through music, movement, and moments of quiet awareness woven into celebration.
Feathered Friends and Buzzing Blessings: New Life at the Retreat
This week, our retreat center welcomed four new chickens and a collection of honeybee hives. After weeks of preparation—clearing space, safeguarding the coop, painting, and placing crystals—our hens have arrived, each with a name and personality. Alongside them, a local beekeeper introduced buzzing hives to the hills. This journal entry reflects on the meditative power of caretaking, and how sometimes, the most spiritual moments come with feathers and wings.
Meditating with the Seasons: How to Shift Your Practice with Nature’s Rhythms
Nature moves in cycles—and your meditation practice can too. In this post, explore how to align your meditation with the rhythm of the seasons, from spring’s renewal to winter’s deep rest. A gentle guide to making your practice feel more natural, intuitive, and alive.
Meditation Isn’t Always Calm: Why It’s Okay to Feel Uncomfortable While Practicing
Meditation isn’t always peaceful—and that’s perfectly normal. In this post, we explore why discomfort shows up in practice, how to respond to it with compassion, and why sitting with what’s hard can lead to real growth. If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing it wrong, this one’s for you.
What Is Embodiment? How to Bring Awareness into the Body
Embodiment is the practice of bringing awareness back into the body—of feeling, sensing, and grounding yourself in the present moment. In this post, you’ll explore what embodiment really means, why it matters in meditation, and how simple daily practices can help you reconnect with yourself in a deeper, more compassionate way.
What Raising a Power Pole Revealed About Meditation
When a team came to replace the old electric pole at our retreat center, I watched three days of grit, humor, and coordination unfold. What started as a loud, dusty project turned into a surprising meditation on strength, alignment, and what it really takes to stay grounded.
Zen and the Art of Building a Shed
What began as a simple plan to build two sheds turned into a deeper reflection on mindfulness, teamwork, and the harmony between form and feeling. Inspired by Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance, this article explores the unexpected beauty of a practical project in the hills of Topanga.