New Year's Meditation Retreat

January 2-5, 2020 - Start Your New Year Mindfully John Bruna and Laura Bartels will return to the Mercy Retreat Center in Auburn, CA to guide a three-day meditation retreat. This retreat is dedicated to establishing and cultivating the…

The benefit of irritation

“Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves.” Carl Jung When we don't like someone--perhaps we find them annoying, unpleasant to be around, or simply believe them to be a person of poor…

Avoiding normal suffering creates suffering

  “The more you try to avoid suffering, the more you suffer, because smaller and more insignificant things begin to torture you, in proportion to your fear of being hurt. The one who does most to avoid suffering is, in the end,…

Looking deeply, what do you see?

“It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see.” - Henry David Thoreau When you look at a stranger, what do you see? Do you see the clothes they’re wearing, noting the style or how expensive they are? Do you see their age?…

Forgiveness, Compassion, and Fearlessness

"Developing compassion for those who have harmed us is the only way to heal inside oneself because otherwise if we just keep our sense of revenge and anger and hatred of the person, seeing them as the enemy, we are the ones who suffer. It…

Experience requires experience

“Wisdom comes from experience. Experience is often a result of lack of wisdom.” - Terry Pratchett There is a significant difference between knowledge and wisdom. Having knowledge does not necessarily mean you have the ability to improve…

The Good We Do Sustains Us

“All of the pleasurable experiences we've had in our lives will be of little help when we are faced with challenges and despair. Rather, what will sustain us is all the good we have done.” John Bruna It is quite normal to seek pleasure…

Be a bright moon emerging from the clouds

"Someone who has acted carelessly, but later becomes careful and attentive, is as beautiful as the bright moon emerging from the clouds." -  Nagarjuna It is not easy to change old habits and tendencies that have become entrenched within…

True Compassion

“True compassion does not come from wanting to help out those less fortunate than ourselves but from realizing our kinship with all beings.” Pema Chödrön Of course, it is both our natural impulse and extremely helpful to want…

Irritation is an opportunity to learn and grow

“Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves.” - Carl Jung   When we don't like someone, perhaps we find them annoying, unpleasant to be around, or simply believe them to be a person…