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.
Read morePlanting 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.
Read moreWhy 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.
Read moreHow 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.
Read moreBreathwork 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.
Read moreA 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.
Read moreA 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.
Read moreForest 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!
Read moreMorning 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.
Read moreHow 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.
Read moreHot-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.
Read moreHere'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.
Read moreHere'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.
Read moreTry These 2 Stress Busters Next Time You Feel Tense
Stress can fuel creativity and productivity, yet when unmanaged, it can negatively impact your well-being. Meditation is a proven method for reducing stress, but there are also techniques you can use throughout the day to keep stress in check. One powerful method is Progressive Muscle Relaxation, a “tense and release” technique that relieves tension in specific muscle groups, leaving you feeling more at ease and focused. In this article, we’ll dive into the benefits of this simple practice and outline a step-by-step guide to help you integrate it into your daily life.
Read moreEnvisioning a Regenerative Future: Reflections from the RegenWorld Summit
The RegenWorld Summit brought together forward-thinking leaders in sustainability, innovation, and community living. From fire-resistant geodesic homes to radical ideas about self-sufficient societies, the event sparked conversations about what a regenerative future could look like. I even took the stage to share my own vision—one inspired by the loss of my Topanga home in a wildfire.
Read moreCan’t Meditate? Here's Some Remedies for 9 Obstacles May Inhibit You
Struggling with meditation? You’re not alone. For many, reaching even a few minutes of focused practice can feel nearly impossible. But before you give up, let’s look at nine common obstacles that disrupt meditation and hinder progress. From physical illness to mental laziness and everything in between, these challenges often start as minor distractions but can become major blocks if left unaddressed. In this article, we’ll uncover each obstacle and its remedy, helping you overcome the barriers and make your meditation practice more fulfilling.
Read moreMindful Eating: Transform Your Relationship with Food for Better Health
In this article, we’ll consider some principles of mindful eating, focusing on how to approach food with greater awareness and balance. By learning to listen to your body, evaluate nutrition advice, and honor your unique needs, you can transform mealtime into an act of meditation and self-care.
Read moreHow to Build a Meditation Habit That Sticks
Struggling to make meditation a daily habit? You’re not alone. Many people start with good intentions but find it hard to stay consistent. In this guide, discover simple, effective ways to integrate meditation into your routine—without it feeling like a chore. From setting reminders to creating a dedicated space, these tips will help you build a practice that sticks for the long haul.
Read moreHealing and Moisture – A New Chapter at the Retreat Center
After a period of fire and transformation, I find myself embracing the healing qualities of water and earth. Living at a retreat center in Topanga, I spend my days working the land and my evenings in the sauna, practicing hot and cold therapy. Through self-care rituals, Ayurvedic oils, and time in nature, I’m rediscovering balance and renewal. This journal entry explores how I’m shifting from destruction to nourishment—grounding into the elements of stability and flow.
Read moreThe Power of Silence in Meditation
Meditation doesn’t necessarily involve quiet in our environment, but it does require an ability to quiet our minds. Silence can be a powerful tool for clarity and self-awareness. In a world filled with distractions, embracing silence through meditation can help you find inner peace, deepen your practice, and bring focus to the present moment.
Read more