Mindfulness Travels

23/08/2026

A beautiful day in the neighborhood

22/08/2026

He was a wise guy and asked me the proverbial question “what is the sound of one hen clucking?”

14/08/2026

In a world that keeps changing faster than ever, where do we find joy?

Not, perhaps, in waiting for conditions to cooperate. In this piece, I explore joy as Buddhist psychology understands it—muditā, the quiet capacity to be in harmony with life as it unfolds. Joy isn't something we acquire; it's something we uncover—already here in the breath, the body, the presence of another person.

The piece closes with six simple practices for recognizing the joy that's quietly available, right now.

Read "Quiet Forms of Joy in a Changing World": https://www.mindfulnesstravels.com/mtblog/quiet-forms-of-joy-in-a-changing-world

Joy is being in…

13/08/2026

31/07/2026

A friend sent me this video of a “genet” found in Arcos de Valdevez, a town in Northern Portugal. I had never before known of such a beautiful animal. Here are some factoids about it: The common genet (Genetta genetta) is a small, slender, cat-like carnivore native to Africa, where it evolved as a nocturnal hunter well adapted to forests, scrublands, and rocky terrain. It is recognized by its graceful body, gray coat covered with black spots, long ringed tail, pointed muzzle, and large ears. Although it resembles a cat, the genet belongs to the mongoose family (Viverridae) and is an agile climber as well as an accomplished ground hunter. Its diet consists primarily of rodents, rabbits, birds, insects, reptiles, amphibians, and occasionally fruit, making it an important natural controller of small animal populations. The species was introduced to the Iberian Peninsula—most likely by the Moors during the 8th century, although some evidence suggests an even earlier arrival through Mediterranean trade. Since then, it has become firmly established throughout much of Portugal and Spain, where it thrives in woodlands, cork oak forests, river valleys, agricultural landscapes, and even areas near rural villages. In Portugal, genets are widespread from north to south but are rarely seen because they are almost entirely nocturnal and exceptionally elusive. Despite their secretive nature, they are considered an integral part of Portugal’s modern wildlife and generally coexist well with humans while remaining one of the country’s most fascinating and seldom-observed mammals.

28/07/2026

Meditate, improve, become "better." It sounds like the whole point—but better is slippery, and striving for it can become a subtle form of self-rejection. This piece offers a different invitation: practice not to fix yourself, but to see clearly and act skillfully, with kindness and compassion. The paradox at its heart? You're already free. Practice simply reveals it.

As Rumi asks, "Why do you stay in prison when the door is so wide open?"

Read "Don't Meditate to Get Better": https://www.mindfulnesstravels.com/mtblog/dont-meditate-to-get-better

28/07/2026

Truth be told, I was teaching a course in Buddhist Psychology in this photo—emphasizing the teaching that says, “I Can’t Get No Satisfaction that is associated with greed, aversion, or ignorance.”

22/07/2026

𝗔𝗦𝗛𝗘𝗩𝗜𝗟𝗟𝗘, 𝗡𝗖 𝗧𝗔𝗜 𝗖𝗛𝗜 𝟮𝟰 𝗪𝗢𝗥𝗞𝗦𝗛𝗢𝗣

I'll be teaching an in-person Tai Chi 24 workshop on Sunday, October 18, 2026. Because I'm mostly in Europe these days, this will be my only Asheville workshop of 2026. Although the date is still months away, please know that my past workshops have filled quickly and space is limited.

𝗧𝗼 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗻 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗽 𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗿: Please visit the workshop web page at https://www.mindfulnesstravels.com/tai-chi-24-workshop

17/07/2026

Remember to appreciate the beauty around you. And remember to appreciate the beauty inside of you. And then let go of outside and inside. Only remember.

15/07/2026

My travel buddy, Bodhi. Whenever we return home, if she’s not already with us, she jumps into our car to welcome us back to the casa. PS: This photo was taken while the car was parked!