Photo © Photographer Recently, I was asked to hold space at a great gathering. The theme: transitions. Bardos. The rawness of impermanence. Hundreds of people came.Rows of bodies, breathing.Eyes open, eyes closed.Hands resting, hands folded. The room hummed quietly, with the weight of expectation, of curiosity, of searching. Do you like what you are reading? SignContinue reading “Living the Bardo: Continuity and Presence”
Category Archives: Dharma Stories
Devotion to the Buddhist Path: Reflections from an X-Nun’s Life
To become a Buddhist nun—or monk—is to step into a life that unravels everything familiar. It is not a change of clothes but a vow that shapes every detail of existence. Before I was ordained, I sought the guidance of several masters. Two questions followed me everywhere: Where are you going to live? and HowContinue reading “Devotion to the Buddhist Path: Reflections from an X-Nun’s Life”
Three Gentle Shifts Toward a Buddhist-Inspired Lifestyle
I didn’t stumble into Buddhism after a crisis or dramatic life event.There was no breaking point, no overnight awakening. I was a teenager—already drawn to the philosophical and contemplative—and Buddhism felt like a language I somehow already understood. Not in its rituals or cultural expressions at first, but in its view of mind, of suffering,Continue reading “Three Gentle Shifts Toward a Buddhist-Inspired Lifestyle”
Sacred Sound in a Shifting World: A Buddhist Minister Reflects
It was one of those rare Swedish summer days when the sun actually stays and the sky feels like it might never let go of the light. I took the boat out to one of the islands in the Stockholm archipelago. The sea was full of movement—waves catching light, wind skimming the surface. Later thatContinue reading “Sacred Sound in a Shifting World: A Buddhist Minister Reflects”
Interdependence Day — A Jataka Tale for the 4th of July
AI Generated image While fireworks crackle across the summer sky and families gather to celebrate independence across the United States, there’s an ancient story from the Buddha’s past lives that offers a gentle nudge toward a deeper kind of freedom — one rooted not in separation, but in connection. Here in Europe, we may notContinue reading “Interdependence Day — A Jataka Tale for the 4th of July”
From Fear to Clarity: What Buddhism Teaches About Anxiety and the Mind
The Faithful Companion of the Constructed Self Fear is a faithful companion of the constructed self. While the monkey mind clings to imagined futures, perceived threats, and the fragile sense of self we spend so much energy protecting. And when fear is left unchecked—when it loops through our inner dialogue, unresolved and unnamed—it quietly germinatesContinue reading “From Fear to Clarity: What Buddhism Teaches About Anxiety and the Mind”
Even Birds Forget: A Bodhisattva Story About Collective Strength
The Clever Quail and the Net of Habit Sometimes we forget how strong we are—especially when we forget each other.The Buddha once told a story of a flock of birds caught in a hunter’s net.It’s one of the Jataka tales. These are stories of his past lives. Like all good Dharma tales, it is notContinue reading “Even Birds Forget: A Bodhisattva Story About Collective Strength”
Death as a Teacher: A Buddhist’s Reflection on Dying and Returning
Recently, I joined a podcast to speak about death. (If you understand Swedish you can listen to it here. ) Both symbolically and philosophically. But primarily—as the inescapable fact it is. It’s not a subject I shy away from. In my world, death is a companion, not a threat. I’ve sat with people who wereContinue reading “Death as a Teacher: A Buddhist’s Reflection on Dying and Returning”
Forget Inner Peace: The Buddhist Path Is About Something Much Bigger
Let’s begin gently. Buddhism is not a soothing balm for temporary discomfort, though it may offer relief. It is not a technique for stress relief, nor a quiet corner of escape. It is a path—ancient, profound, and transformative. While moments of calm and clarity may arise, they are not the final destination. They are likeContinue reading “Forget Inner Peace: The Buddhist Path Is About Something Much Bigger”
The Joy of Cooperation Through The Power of Interdependence
In a world increasingly marked by fragmentation, learning how to truly work together may be one of the most urgent and liberating practices we can undertake. Not just for productivity, but for peace. Not just for efficiency, but for awakening. Cooperation isn’t just a practical skill—it’s a spiritual one. It’s the act of remembering weContinue reading “The Joy of Cooperation Through The Power of Interdependence”
Lama Chimey 