My Indian tradition teachers regularly talked about the various aches and pains associated with the process of spiritual unfoldment The Tibetan Buddhist teachers with whom I have studied never do. (more…)

Practitioners are sometimes desperate for signs of spiritual progress. They jealously hoard memories of the shakes, shivers, twitches, lights, dreams and sort-of visions that can arise as a result of sadhana. Or because they were cold. Or because a car headlight flashed in the window while they were practicing.

In general, these effects can be noted and then forgotten. Especially if they never really happened. (more…)

When I first heard of chakras, I spent quite a bit of time learning about their functions, symbolism and meanings. If you had asked me back then, I would have talked very confidently about these. And you certainly would have heard me rattling on about “my chakras” and “my energy body.” Now I know it would be more accurate for my chakras to refer to me as “my person.” (more…)