Buddhadharma offers us a tried-and-true compass to navigate a changing world, one that is shifting even more rapidly and in often heartbreaking ways. Through this column, I share ways that Buddhist teachings and practices have supported my own journey, as well as reflect on how the Dharma gives us a path to understand and respond to collective challenges including climate emergency, social breakdown, and racial and economic injustice.
Dharma Compass is published monthly.
Drawing inspiration from Thich Nhat Hanh and the ideal of Beloved Community, Jeremy David Engels offers practical tools for resisting division and practicing democracy with mindfulness
At Upaya Zen Center, planting, prayer, and Indigenous wisdom come together in a living practice of care for the Earth
Maia Duerr continues her exploration of Socially Responsible Mindfulness, outlining ethical commitments for teaching mindfulness in secular and workplace settings
As mindfulness is increasingly stripped from its ethical and cultural roots, Maia Duerr takes a look at the possibility and potential in socially responsible mindfulness
At Oak Flat, Buddhist practitioners stand with Apache Stronghold to defend Indigenous sacred land, bringing compassion and awareness to the front lines of environmental justice
Maia Duerr elucidates the simple but profound change of attitude that can occur in Zen practice in which we treat all things and beings with deep respect
What does the goal of being “awake” or “woke” in Buddhist practice mean in a society structured around ignorance and racism?
Realizing that debt has energy that fills our lives is a crucial step in moving forward in constructive ways toward liberation
Understanding wealth as a gateway to greed or generosity helps us reflect on how the Buddha’s teachings guide us through our relationship with money
Maia Duerr brings together the many ways that Buddhist activism can be expressed to create a holistic picture of kindness, compassion, and wisdom in our troubled times
The humble Buddhist monk who narrowly survived Cambodia’s Killing Fields serves as a powerful example of how we all can strengthen our practice through troubled times
A meditation on finding strength in Buddhism’s three jewels to stay afloat in these difficult geopolitical times
