Category Archives: Buddhism

Snow in St. John’s as my Teacher: Life (and Snow) is Precious

Posted on February 15, 2015 by

The week of Valentine’s Day moves many of us to express our love to those near and dear to us. As well, this week, with our wonderful 45 cm snow fall, had me professing my love for snow days! Today, … Continue reading →

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21 days to Mera Peak, Island Peak and the Amphu Labtsa and counting…

Posted on March 25, 2013 by

Here is our itinerary for the trip…three weeks and counting.  Training is going well and it’s time to start putting out gear in piles and turning the living room into an expedition staging centre.  My excitement is mounting each day … Continue reading →

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A Theory of Relativity

Posted on March 29, 2012 by

I pulled this tire up Signal Hill three times this morning. The first pull felt awfully hard. Indeed. Really, really hard. Interesting to note that that feeling of hardness made me really really want to stop. It was dark. Cold. … Continue reading →

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Vinson Visual Lojong #22: Don’t bring things to a painful point

Posted on December 20, 2011 by

Lojong is a Tibetan Buddhist mind training practice based on a set of 59 slogans first formulated in the 12th century. For most of my climbs, my Buddhist mentor (or “Buddhist Personal Trainer” as I like to call her) prepares … Continue reading →

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Vinson Visual Lojong #21: In post meditation, be a child of illusion

Posted on December 19, 2011 by

Lojong is a Tibetan Buddhist mind training practice based on a set of 59 slogans first formulated in the 12th century. For most of my climbs, my Buddhist mentor (or “Buddhist Personal Trainer” as I like to call her) prepares … Continue reading →

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Vinson Visual Lojong #16: Three objects, three poisons, and three seeds of virtue

Posted on December 14, 2011 by
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Vinson Visual Lojong #15: Whatever you meet unexpectedly, join with meditation

Posted on December 13, 2011 by

Lojong is a Tibetan Buddhist mind training practice based on a set of 59 slogans first formulated in the 12th century.  For most of my climbs, my Buddhist mentor (or “Buddhist Personal Trainer” as I like to call her) prepares … Continue reading →

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Vinson Visual Lojong #10: Liberate yourself by examining and analyzing

Posted on December 8, 2011 by

Lojong is a Tibetan Buddhist mind training practice based on a set of 59 slogans first formulated in the 12th century. For most of my climbs, my Buddhist mentor (or “Buddhist Personal Trainer” as I like to call her) prepares … Continue reading →

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Vinson Visual Lojong #9 Two activities: one at the beginning, one at the end

Posted on December 7, 2011 by

Lojong is a Tibetan Buddhist mind training practice based on a set of 59 slogans first formulated in the 12th century. For most of my climbs, my Buddhist mentor (or “Buddhist Personal Trainer” as I like to call her) prepares … Continue reading →

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Vinson Visual Lojong #8: When the world is filled with evil, Transform all mishaps into the path of bodhi

Posted on December 6, 2011 by

Lojong is a Tibetan Buddhist mind training practice based on a set of 59 slogans first formulated in the 12th century. For most of my climbs, my Buddhist mentor (or “Buddhist Personal Trainer” as I like to call her) prepares … Continue reading →

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Vinson Visual Lojong #7: Don’t try to be the fastest

Posted on December 5, 2011 by

Lojong is a Tibetan Buddhist mind training practice based on a set of 59 slogans first formulated in the 12th century. For most of my climbs, my Buddhist mentor (or “Buddhist Personal Trainer” as I like to call her) prepares … Continue reading →

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Vinson Visual Lojong #2: Always meditate on whatever provokes resentment

Posted on November 30, 2011 by

Lojong is a Tibetan Buddhist mind training practice based on a set of 59 slogans first formulated in the 12th century. For most of my climbs, my Buddhist mentor (or “Buddhist Personal Trainer” as I like to call her) prepares … Continue reading →

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Vinson Visual Lojong #1: First, train in the preliminaries

Posted on November 29, 2011 by

Lojong is a Tibetan Buddhist mind training practice based on a set of 59 slogans first formulated in the 12th century. For most of my climbs, my Buddhist mentor (or “Buddhist Personal Trainer” as I like to call her) prepares … Continue reading →

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Antarctica Countdown 15 Days and Counting: Super-size The Wisdom of No Escape

Posted on November 14, 2011 by

“There is a story of a woman running away from tigers. She runs and runs and the tigers are getting closer and closer. When she comes to the edge of a cliff, she sees some vines there, so she climbs … Continue reading →

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Antarctica Countdown 47 days and counting: Flashback to YOD

Posted on October 14, 2011 by

This new training program has me running again.  Thankfully I am back up to an hour of running without any major challenges thus far.  I ran outside Wednesday around Quidi Vidi lake and again this morning from the house.  In … Continue reading →

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Antarctica Countdown 56 Days and Counting: Where the Rubber Hits the Road

Posted on October 5, 2011 by

I love this shot that Natelle took this morning! The blurring of the pavement as I drag the tire ever upward. It was one of those morning where, when the alarm first went off and the house was shaking in … Continue reading →

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Mont Blanc Hallelujah

Posted on July 17, 2011 by

(Click the video to play while reading the blog entry)  I’ve heard there was a secret chord That David played, and it pleased the Lord But you don’t really care for music, do you? It goes like this The fourth, … Continue reading →

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Slack Line, Beginner’s Mind

Posted on July 4, 2011 by

After 22 out 24 days of rain in St. John’s, the sun finally graced our presence for the Canada Day long weekend.  After a month of waiting, we could finally try out our new slack line.  Slack lining involves learning … Continue reading →

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#13 Be grateful to everyone

Posted on May 21, 2011 by

It’s been a tough yet joyous week.  The joy has come in celebrating the achievements of four friends; all of who have worked and trained tirelessly to reach their own personal Everests.  One qualified for the world championships in the … Continue reading →

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Hammered on Hvannadalshnuku

Posted on April 23, 2011 by

So much to describe and share and so little time to find the words. Days are passing here like the wind, very rapidly and measured in meters per second, both the speed of the wind and our experiences on the … Continue reading →

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Running Towards the Biting Phone

Posted on March 6, 2011 by

The Tibetan Plateau muted my senses. Its colour palette draws most strongly from the autumn family of ochres, tans, beiges, browns, but there are also the most intense sky and water blues imaginable. Other than blue, there were no bright … Continue reading →

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Borrowing Discipline

Posted on January 29, 2011 by

My Buddhist refuge name is Tsultrim Mig Gya. It means Discipline Great Vision and represents what my teacher saw as the path to my enlightenment when I took my refuge vow in 2005. It was a time of great personal … Continue reading →

Posted in Buddhism, Life | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

Looking for WIndhorse II

Posted on January 23, 2011 by

Prayer flags are often called Lung-ta or Windhorse in Tibet and Nepal. One traditional prayer flag design has a windhorse in the centre and the Four Dignities (Lion, Tiger, Garuda, Dragon) in the four corners. As some of you will … Continue reading →

Posted in Buddhism, Everest 2010, Everest-007, Life, Tibet Bike | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Wanted: Unconditional Confidence

Posted on October 17, 2010 by

Howdy, Sunday has rolled around again. After a year’s hibernation, I’m back attending a Buddhist retreat this weekend called, “Wisdom in Everyday Life.” I’m appreciating being back within the community of the Sangha, which has been a critical part of … Continue reading →

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Das Boot

Posted on August 22, 2010 by

Hey, It’s Sunday once again and the time has been a blur. My mom was admitted to hospital about a week ago in serious condition and I’ve spent much of the week sending my love, prayers, and good thoughts to … Continue reading →

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Fence Boards and Paneer

Posted on July 11, 2010 by

Congrats to Spain, Condolences to the Netherlands, Another seven days has quickly passed and I find myself stealing a few moments in my chair once again. I’m a bit tired from my biggest day of riding yet and I’m going … Continue reading →

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A New Altitude

Posted on January 17, 2010 by

Good Evening, In an unusual moment, I am lost for words. In the scale of human tragedy, this week’s earthquake in Haiti has given me (and most folks I know) an occasion for pause, for prayer, and for sorting out … Continue reading →

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A New Elevation

Posted on November 29, 2009 by

Good Morning,   When climbing a high altitude peak, we don’t just climb it once.  We climb it at least twice, perhaps three of four times.  In order to acclimatize properly, mountaineers use a strategy of “Climb High, Sleep Low.”  … Continue reading →

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New Views

Posted on March 24, 2009 by

Howdy, Happy three months to my birthday day. I’m a few days late in writing this but it’s been a rollercoaster weeks of intense highs and lows and I’m tried to take inspiration and meaning from both. I flew out … Continue reading →

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Off to Chile

Posted on November 24, 2007 by

There is a rich tapestry that forms the foundation of our lives. It is woven from threads of experience coming together to form patterns, textures, and surprises. I don’t know about you, but sometimes I forget to look for and … Continue reading →

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Fall Down Seven Times, Get Up Eight.

Posted on October 14, 2007 by

“Fall down seven times, get up eight.” This is a Japanese proverb that came my way once on a tear-away calendar. Of the 365 sayings that year, this one stuck. As I ran intervals on Signal Hill Tuesday morning and … Continue reading →

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Happy Thanksgiving to All,

Posted on October 6, 2007 by

Funny how it works than when you let go of something, the resulting space allows for it to occur. Just when I said, “I want to do as little training as possible for Chile,” I found it within me to … Continue reading →

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Everest-007 September 2007

Posted on September 23, 2007 by

I was battered and bruised by something that does not move. A mountain of epic proportions. In my mind. And out in the world Continue reading →

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Everest-007 March 2007

Posted on March 30, 2007 by

Walking in the footsteps of others 3/31/2007 Flat Stanley at Pumori Flat Stanley in front of Pumori. I am so aware as I trek to Everest Base Camp that I walk in the footsteps of so many others. Camped here … Continue reading →

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Everest-007 January 2007

Posted on January 30, 2007 by

Another Rich and Full Week 1/27/2007 Another busy week has unfolded on the Road to Everest. I received a gift from my niece in the mail. Rayne is four and a budding artist. She painted me a picture of Mount … Continue reading →

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Everest-007 December 2006

Posted on December 30, 2006 by

Last Day of the Year 12/31/2006 Hello to All, I’m back in Mendoza after several long days of hiking off the mountain. Thanks so much to all for your kind thoughts and prayers and well wishes. I’m sure they helped … Continue reading →

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Everest-007 September 2006

Posted on September 30, 2006 by

Happy Autumn (and nine months to my birthday 🙂 9/24/2006 There is that wonderful crispness in the air–combine that with a sunny clear day–and I am a happy camper. I had a good week and an even better weekend. I … Continue reading →

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Everest-007 July 2006

Posted on July 30, 2006 by

Happy Midsummer Night’s Dream! 7/29/2006 I’m sitting here with ice on various parts of my lower anatomy. I did my long run today and am trying to soothe my aching limbs. It’s been a tough week. One of the hardest … Continue reading →

Posted in Buddhism, Everest-007

Everest-007 May 2006

Posted on May 30, 2006 by

Happy Memorial Day Weekend to All 5/28/2006 Wow another big week of training and decision-making!!! When I face a big decision, I often feel like I’m in the middle of a snow globe. I’m in the middle of a swirling … Continue reading →

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Everest-007 March 2006

Posted on March 30, 2006 by

Outer Coast Adventure Happy Spring to All, The day began with a dog bark and ended with a shower; in the blink of an eye lives and plans changed. On March 22, the Queen of the North sank. On March … Continue reading →

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