• Entering silent retreat

    by Bhante Sumano Monastics often take time for silent retreat at some point during the year, to quiet the body and mind and to delve into deep contemplation. Theravādins in Southeast Asia might use the vassa, or rainy period, for some seclusion; Zen practitioners often undertake a spring ango; and the Plum Village community has…

  • looking in the mirror, what do you see?

    This post was originally written on day 18 of Bhante Sumano’s limited-run, daily, January newsletter, Anicca. It’s reposted here with minimal edits. being gentle with ourselves The venerable Thich Nhat Hanh has said, “You don’t need to be accepted by others. You need to accept yourself.” It’s a mantra that bears repeating over and over—not just…

  • untitled (remix) — for your in(tro)spection

    This post was originally written on day 15 of Bhante Sumano’s limited-run, daily, January newsletter, Anicca. It’s reposted here with minimal edits. this wandering life There’s two weeks left of the newsletter, but just about a week more of our stay in New York City. (Afterwards, we’ll head back to Blue Cliff Monastery for a couple weeks.) And…

  • soft water, hard stone

    This post was originally written on day 13 of Bhante Sumano’s limited-run, daily, January newsletter, Anicca. It’s reposted here with minimal edits. a night at the museum A friend recommended we stop by the New Museum here in New York to see the current exhibition there—Soft Water, Hard Stone. The title is inspired by a…

  • framing our practice in an organic way

    This post was originally written on day 11 of Bhante Sumano’s limited-run, daily, January newsletter, Anicca. It’s reposted here with minimal edits. Below is a little essay I’ve written up with some reflections on how to frame a formal practice—if that’s something you find yourself leaning towards. The beauty of even reflecting on it, though, is…

  • beaches, waves, ebbs and flows

    This post was originally written on day 1 of Bhante Sumano’s limited-run, daily, January newsletter, Anicca. It’s reposted here with minimal edits. anicca #01 Hello! I’m Bhante Sumano, and this is Anicca. Welcome to day one. (Also, happy new year!)