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Dear Abbey Dharma, I often wonder about loving oneself and awareness. I am terrified of getting into a relationship, so I avoid pain by avoiding relationships. But I end up creating more pain for myself that way, and I often find myself in bad situations. How can I achieve a level of self-esteem where I […]
By Sylvia BoorsteinLife as practice
By Sylvia BoorsteinDear Abbey Dharma, I am a 30-year-old man with Asperger syndrome. I am an adopted Buddhist, but I find it difficult to be both autistic and Buddhist. Buddhists are not supposed to judge people as much, for example, but I find I get scared of certain kinds of people: they overwhelm my senses, and I […]
By Sylvia BoorsteinDear Abbey Dharma, I’ve been traveling the mindfulness meditation path for two years and have been progressively adding to my formal and informal practice, but it feels as if I’ve hit particularly rough terrain on the path. As I’ve become more aware of my own mindfulness, it seems that I’ve also become more aware of […]
By Sylvia BoorsteinDear Abbey, When I turn on the TV, it feels unbearable to watch. I want to know what’s happening in the world, but media sources seem toxic to me. I’m sure I’m not alone in my emotional regard for the many things happening around us—political or social— that impact us and those we love. How […]
By Sylvia BoorsteinDear Abbey Dharma,I have been on the Buddhist path for a large portion of my life. I practiced Zen while I was a teenager and practiced Tibetan Buddhism in my late 20s. Now, in my late 30s, I find myself going it alone after becoming weary of ritual. Do most people go through this weariness […]
By Sylvia BoorsteinDear Abbey Dharma, My doctor has suggested that I try a certain psychiatric medicine, but I want to meditate and I am wavering because I wonder if people can “wake up” or even get enlightened using these medicines. —Wavering Dear Wavering, I’ve interviewed many students on meditation retreats whose practice is insightful, and therefore more […]
By Sylvia BoorsteinDear Abbey Dharma, I recently took my refuge vows and have found the Buddhist path to be vast and wide. My struggle is, where to begin? I find death and dying, intentions, karma, and many more subjects compelling. Where does one begin other than the meditation cushion? —Where to Begin Dear Where to Begin, I […]
By Sylvia Boorstein
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