A UNIVERSITY boss has been sacked for starring in vegan-themed porn films.

Dr Joe Gow, 63, recorded raunchy footage with his wife Carmen Wilson under the username Sexy Happy Couple.

He uploaded the X-rated material to the OnlyFans site where it was flagged to management.

Now he has been told to leave his role as Chancellor of Wisconsin-La Crosse University.

Dr Gow and Ms Wilson, 56, run a vegan cooking channel where they host adult film stars as guests then record a follow-up video in which the trio have sex.

Their OnlyFans site promises: Top adult video stars cook, converse and shoot sex scenes with a plant-powered couple.

The journalism professor, who has run the US university for 17 years, is being investigated by an independent law firm.

But he claims his sacking violates his right to free speech.

He said: I was given no due process, they never said what policy I violated, and also there was no hearing.

But university president Jay Rothman described the videos as abhorrent.

He added: We expect our chancellors, as the leaders of these great institutions, to be role models for our students, staff and faculty.

Originally posted here:

Uni boss, 63, sacked for starring in vegan-themed porn films in Only Fans side hustle... - The Sun

For some people, Buddhism and Greco-Roman wrestling could be considered contradictory in nature.

While the Bhuddas teachings emphasise calmness and inner peace, wrestling is one of the most abrasive and confrontational sports on the Olympic programme.

But for 22-year-old Netherlands grappler, Tyrone Sterkenburg, its the perfect match.

**My mum is a Buddhist from Thailand and when I was 16 years old, I became a monk for the summer. That greatly improved my mental focus and my spirituality, Sterkenberg, who competes in the 97kg category, told Olympics.com from the 2023 World Wrestling Championships in Belgrade, Serbia.

**It showed me a whole new side of life because I was used to training two times a week, studying and being busy all the time. And then all of a sudden at the monastery I couldnt eat, run or do fast movements.

I used to have rage before my matches and I was always so nervous. But now I actually close my eyes and try to meditate a little bit for the match, to have a little bit more focus and calmness.

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Meet Tyrone Sterkenburg: Greco-Roman wrestler, monk, model, and influencer - Olympics

Japan Art and Bleak Midwinter: Buddhist Monk

Lee Jay Walker

Modern Tokyo Times

Two stunning art pieces by the contemporary Japanese artist Sawako Utsumi fuse a stunning landscape with a wandering Buddhist monk in the bleak midwinter. Indeed, the religious angle, be it Buddhism, Christianity, or Shintoism, are themes that pop up often in her delightful art.

In the above art piece, a Buddhist monk is on his way to a distant Buddhist temple. Ice, snow, and a freezing wind abound. However, it is of little concern to the Buddhist monk, for holy scriptures await.

The two art pieces are titledBleak Midwinter and the Buddhist Tree of LifeandStunning Bleak Midwinter of Northern Japan.

Interestingly, the Buddhist tree of life is singular in both art pieces. However, one art piece focuses on the Buddhist monk fighting the wintery conditions while the other is focused on a stunning landscape.

Despite this, the singular tree is symbolic in both art pieces.

The holy Buddhist monk Nichiren (1222-1282) said:Life in this world is limited. Never be in the least bit afraid!

Overall, the Buddhist tree of life and nature are interwoven seen and unseen. Henceforth, the mystery of life through the prism of art.

https://fineartamerica.com/featured/bleak-midwinter-and-the-buddhist-tree-of-life-sawako-utsumi.html

https://fineartamerica.com/featured/stunning-bleak-midwinter-art-of-northern-japan-sawako-utsumi.html

http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/sawako-utsumi.html Sawako Utsumi and where you can buy her art, postcards, bags, and other products. Also, individuals can contact her for individual requests.

http://sawakoart.com

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http://sawakoart.com Sawako Utsumis website and Modern Tokyo Times artist

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Japan Art and Bleak Midwinter: Buddhist Monk Modern Tokyo Times - Modern Tokyo Times

Delve into the teachings of Robert Waldinger, a psychiatrist and Zen priest, as he explores the essence of Zen Buddhism.

Waldinger, who directs the long-running Harvard Study of Adult Development, discusses how Zen can help people discover the transformative power of impermanence, mindfulness, and the art of relieving suffering. He shares practical wisdom on cultivating loving-kindness, maintaining a beginners mind, and fostering fulfilling relationships.

Whether youre seeking inner peace or navigating relationships, Waldinger offers practical guidance for a more fulfilling existence.

ROBERT WALDINGER: Zen emphasizes community. It's called 'Sangha' in the Buddhist language, and it's really the idea that we practice learning about ourselves and each other by being in relationships with each other, both during meditation sessions and out there in the world.

I am a Zen practitioner. I'm actually a Rshi, a Zen Master. It's a big part of my life, and it is an enormous benefit in terms of how I think about my own life, other people's lives, how I think about my research, and how I think about working with patients.

I would rate the concept of impermanence as, number one, as the greatest hit of Zen Buddhism. Basically, the idea of everything constantly changing. There's nothing to hold onto in the deepest sense.

And that, on the one hand, that can be scary; on the other hand, it can be an enormous relief because we tell ourselves so many stories about who we are, and who we're supposed to be, and how the world is supposed to be, and when we really know the truth of impermanence, we let a lot of that go.

Once we realize that everything is always changing, it helps us be more compassionate to other people because we realize that they are also dealing with all the complexities of a self and a world that's constantly changing.

The Four Noble Truths are perhaps the most iconic teachings of the Buddha. They start with the Buddhist statement. Now, it's often said that, "The Buddha was teaching that you could get to a point where you never suffer anymore." Zen does not teach that.

Rather, what we can do is learn to be with what's unsatisfactory in life, learn to be with unhappiness, even be with pain in a way that makes it more bearable, in a way that doesn't layer on the optional suffering being the stories we tell about how unfair it all is.

For example, that I have back pain or how unfair it is that I've got a cold todaythat all of these things are workable. It makes me a little less likely to blame other people for what's going on in me, and that can be hugely helpful.

When we talk about harmony in relationships. The best definition I know of mindfulness is simple: So right now, for me, that's talking with you. That's the feel of the chair on my back. It's the feel of the air on my skin.

You can work on your mindfulness right this moment, by simply paying attention to whatever stimuli are reaching you. It might be your heartbeat, it might be your breath, it might be the sound of the fan in the roomanything. And simply letting yourself be open and receive whatever is here right now. And you can do that in any moment.

Buddhism talks about the idea of attachment. It's really about holding on tightly to a fixed view of something. Zen teaches that unsatisfactoriness is always there in life, and that we do have preferences, but that what we can do is to insist less that the world be a certain way.

In other words, to insist less that the world be a certain way. I mean, think about in relationships, how much we try to insist that someone else be a certain way that we want them to be, and how much less we suffer if we let that go.

And just assume that that person is allowed to show up in the world as they are, and we are allowed to show up in the world as we are. So this idea of relieving suffering is in Zen, the idea of being able to face towards suffering, looking at it, and living with it in a way that hurts less.

There's a concept of Metta, loving-kindness, in Buddhism, and there are a couple of different ways that it's talked about. One is an explicit skill that we can cultivate. You can do a loving-kindness meditation where you think about another person and you say to yourself, "May you be happy, may you be at peace."

And you do that over and over again, and you come to feel differently about the other person, including about people you don't like very much or you're angry at. So there's that way of actively cultivating a skill.

There's another way, which is simply by becoming more and more aware of your own pain, your own anxious, angry thoughts, your own difficulties. Because what happens when we become more aware of that through meditation, for example, is that we become much more empathic toward other people.

And naturally, that kind of loving-kindness arises, where we see an angry person and say, "Oh, I wonder if that person is having a terrible day," rather than immediately reacting with our own anger. And so that's a different way to cultivate loving-kindness, but it happens pretty reliably through meditation.

And finally, there's a wonderful teaching in Zen about Beginner's Mind. The idea that we let go of all the stories we tell ourselves that we're so sure of. Having a beginner's mind really helps in relationships because it allows us to be curious, it allows us to say, "Okay, there's so much I don't know about this person, let me watch closely. Let me notice what I haven't seen before about this person. Let me find new ways to interact with this person."

And that brings a kind of freshness and openness to relationships that can otherwise easily get stale. Shunryu Suzuki was a Zen Master who had a saying that I love. And what he meant by that is when we can remain open to many possibilities, rather than being so sure that we know what's what, that we become open to surprise, open to new ways of experiencing ourselves and the world, that make us suffer a great deal less than when we are so-called experts.

And the older I get, and the more people call me an expert, the more aware I am of how little I know.

Excerpt from:
A Zen master's guide to crushing pain & unlocking peace - Big Think

A visitor looks at a third-century stupa drum slab honoring the Buddha as a flaming pillar, found in Andhra Pradesh, southern India, at the National Museum of Korea in Seoul. The musuem is presenting, Tree and Serpent: Early Buddhist Art in India, a monumental exhibition co-organized with the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. Yonhap

NMK's 'Tree and Serpent' features dozens of artifacts that previously never left India

By Park Han-sol

Buddhism has come a long way since the prince-turned-ascetic Siddhartha Gautama first attained enlightenment under a bodhi tree more than 2,500 years ago.

The religion, which reached its zenith of influence in India in the following centuries, eventually spread to Southeast Asia and China, before making its way to Korea and Japan.

In Korea, temples and relics enshrined within became the cultural bedrock on which Zen Buddhism bloomed since its arrival in the fourth century.

But how well do we know the religion, which has long seeped into our daily lives and vernaculars, during its formative years in India?

This is where the National Museum of Korea (NMK)s Tree and Serpent: Early Buddhist Art in India, co-organized with the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, comes in.

Its a truly monumental exhibition, featuring nearly 100 ancient stone panels and sculptures from southern India dating from 200 BCE to 400 CE, and a rare one at that.

In fact, almost half of the artifacts on display had never left their home since their excavation until they were exhibited at the Met earlier this year.

A second-century sandstone sculpture of the goddess of abundance, Sri Lakshmi, is on display. She is depicted as a jewelry-laden woman surrounded by blooming lotuses and a pair of peacocks announcing the arrival of the monsoon. Korea Times photo by Park Han-sol

Carved fragments of lotus vines and nature spirits of southern India from the late second century BCE / Korea Times photo by Park Han-sol

The NMKs presentation, a tweaked and reimagined version of the U.S. show with several immersive digital displays at hand, begins by dropping visitors in the heart of a vibrantly pulsating forest of southern India. It was the forest populated by indigenous nature spirits and deities that Buddhism, originating from the Ganges Basin in northern India, encountered upon reaching the south.

The local spirits yakshas for males and yakshis for females inhabiting the trees and the earth, as well as mythical creatures like makara part crocodile, part elephant, part fish and the naga serpent, gradually underwent transformation under the newly introduced Buddhist view of nature, eventually assuming new roles as bodhisattvas and guardian deities in its art.

The ancient "sarira," comprising jasmine buds, washed pearls and particles of gold flowers that were preserved as the relics of the Buddha, is laid out in a circular design. Yonhap

One prevailing theme throughout the second part of the show is the stupa, a domed monument that housed the relics of the Buddha, including cremated ashes, pearls and other precious gemstones known as sarira.

It was through sarira that the religion was introduced to southern India in the mid-third century BCE, when King Asoka of the first pan-Indian Mauryan Empire ordered the construction of at least 84,000 stupas derived from the original eight across the nation and redistributed the Buddhas ashes and gemstones among them all.

On view at the museum are 2,200-year-old jasmine buds, washed pearls and particles of gold flowers laid out in a stunning mandala design, as well as the fragments of stone panels and pillars that once adorned the many stupas. (Most of these colossal monuments in the country have crumbled with the passage of time.)

Interestingly, throughout the early centuries of Buddhism, the Buddha himself rarely appeared in sculptural reliefs and other art forms at stupas.

In many of the early Buddhist art and reliefs, the Buddha only existed in the form of symbols a pair of footprints, the wheel of Dharma, an empty throne under a Bodhi tree, or a flaming pillar. Korea Times photo by Park Han-sol

In fact, during this period, typically referred to as the aniconic phase, he existed only in the form of sacred symbols a pair of footprints; a riderless horse; the wheel of Dharma; an empty throne under a Bodhi tree; or a flaming pillar, which was a unique symbol found in southern India.

The reluctance to represent the Buddha in human likeness in those early days may have stemmed from the belief that he, having achieved nirvana, transcended the corporeal form.

Although it remains a topic of debate, human representations of the Buddha began to appear around the first century, following increased sea trade between Rome and the subcontinent, particularly in the northwestern region of Gandhara. The existence of this trade is evidenced by the exhibits inclusion of a bronze Greek figurine of the sea god Poseidon and a jug handle adorned with patterns of Cupid, both of which were discovered in Western India during a 1940s excavation.

Anthropomorphic visual elements from the Hellenistic world became combined with symbols of Indian Buddhism to birth the image we know well today a figure with a wisp of hair on his forehead (urna), tight ringlet curls, a cranial bump (ushnisha), distended earlobes and a draped robe reminiscent of a Roman toga.

A third-century Ayaka cornice with four narrative roundels found in Andhra Pradesh, southern India, is shown with an immersive digital display at the National Museum of Korea. Korea Times photo by Park Han-sol

Such a tendency to depict the Buddha in bodily form eventually traveled to southern India as well.

The last section of the show is filled with the Buddhas dynamic life stories including his myriad past lives led before his princely incarnation as Siddhartha featuring his human form, told in a theater-like stage.

As you traverse the colossal stupas of southern India, a vivid tapestry of the Buddhas life unfolds before your eyes. Each monument becomes a stage, portraying distinct episodes from his journey, NMKs curator Ryu Seung-jin said of the reason behind the sections spatial design.

Tree and Serpent runs through April 14, 2024 at the NMK.

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Ancient Buddhist art of India pulsates with life in Seoul -

The Sacred Arts Tour of Gaden Shartse Norling Monastery will be returning to the Folsom and Placerville area January 3rd through the 20th, 2024. Since 2003, Placerville Friends of Tibet has hosted the tour for over 20 years and are pleased to extend the tour to the Folsom area in 2024. Cultivating Compassion is the message for this years locally sponsored tour.

Gaden Shartse Monastery and the Tibetan monks, located (in exile) in Southern India, know and love the Sierra Foothills and surrounding communities. The tour is deeply grateful to the founders, organizers, community, and partners that have made this possible over the years.

During the tour, the Monks will share their arts and culture, Tibetan perspectives on the Buddhas teachings, offering empowerments, astrology readings, healings, and blessings for individuals, families, businesses, pets, and the community at large.

In Folsom: The opening ceremony and Dharma talk explaining this mandala will begin on January 3rd, 6:00 p.m. The public can view the daily progress of the sand mandala from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. The sand mandala creation culminates with a closing mandala dissolution ceremony on Saturday, January 6th @ 4:00 p.m.

In Placerville: The opening ceremony and Dharma talk explaining this mandala will begin on January 9th, 6:00 p.m. The public can view the daily progress of the sand mandala from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. The sand mandala creation culminates with a closing mandala dissolution ceremony on Saturday, January 20th @ 4:00 p.m.Please visit the website and check the scheduleplacervillefriendsoftibet.org

This event helps support Gaden Shartse Monastic College, which is situated in the remote countryside of southern India. It was founded in 1969 as an effort to re-establish one of the great monastic traditions of Tibetthe Gelug tradition followed by His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama. A small group of elder monks and fifteen young boys, all of whom had managed to escape the destruction in Tibet, settled on land given to them by the Indian government in Mundgod, Karnataka.

Today the college is at the forefront of the revival of Tibetan Monastic education, with more than 1600 resident students, teachers, scholars, and spiritual practitioners. More than 70% of the members are between the ages of 10 and 25 and 80% of these were born in Tibet. To this day, young monks arrive at the Monastery weekly from Tibet, seeking shelter and education. Due to the success of the academic program and the quality of the teachers at the monastery, Gaden Shartse has established a reputation as being the leader in the field of Buddhist and Tibetan studies.

Placerville Friends of Tibet is a group of dedicated volunteers who, since 2003, have committed their time, energy, and resources to sharing the culture of Tibet and Tibetan Buddhism with the communities of El Dorado County, the Sierra Nevada Foothills, and the greater Sacramento region. This group is an incubator partnership with Arts & Culture El Dorado.

This years tour is sponsored by: Dignity Health,, The Karuna Center for Mindful Engagementthekarunacenter.organd Arts and Culture El Doradoartsandcultureeldorado.org

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Tibetan Buddhist Monks Tour to visit Mercy Hospital of Folsom - Folsom Times

Ani Zamba Chozom. From facebook.com

The widely respected Buddhist teacher Ani Zamba Chozom, one of the first Western female monastics to be fully ordained, has died after an extended illness. She was 75 years old.

According to statements from close friends and associates, Ani Zamba passed on 23 December at a hospital in Sao Paolo.

Ani Zamba was born Susan Dawn Belanda in London in 1948. Growing up, she suffered a serious illness that aroused within her a desire to dedicate her life to the benefit of others. In 1969, seeking answers to the suffering of life, she traveled to India, where she eventually began to study the Buddhadharma. She was subsequently able to travel widely, studying and practicing in several Buddhist traditions.

She received the Dharma name Jampa Chozom when the renowned scholar and meditation master Geshe Rabten ordained her as a monastic in Dharamsala in 1972. In 1975, she received full bhikshuni ordination in Hong Kong, and from 1978, she spent an extended period working at a drug rehabilitation center in Thailands Wat Thamkrabok.

Ani Zamba spent a total of nine years living in India and Nepal, where she received teachings from many great Gelugpa, Drukpa Kagyu, and Nyingma lamas. She studied and practiced under some of the most revered modern masters of Tibetan Buddhism, among them Khamtrul Rinpoche, Dungsey Thinley Norbu Rinpoche, Dudjom Rinpoche, Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche, Lama Wangdur, and Dzongsar Khyentse Rinpoche.

In 1983, Ani Zamba received full ordination again in South Korea, and was later given further ordinations in Taiwan and China. While living in Thailand from 197882, she met many great teachers from the Thai Forest Tradition of that time, while also working in a Khmer Rouge refugee camp and with child prostitution.

Ani Zambas work and travel would subsequently see her based in the Philippines, Hong Kongs Lamma Island, and the United States.

Eventually she settled in Brazil, where Chagdud Tulku Rinpoche had founded a Dharma center, becoming his representative in the north of the country. After Rinpoches death in 2002, she would go on to become an independent teacher with her own community of students, offering practical teachings in the Dzogchen tradition, especially on the direct observation of the nature of the mind, and establishing a retreat center.

Ani Zamba was widely lauded for her courage in the face of the numerous obstacles encountered by Western female monastics studying the Buddhadharma in Asia. Messages were posted widely online mourning her passing. Information on services and memorials are expected to be shared on social media.

In a message shared on Facebook, her close friend Ani Jinba said in part: Yesterday one of my oldest friends since the early seventies, British nun Ani Zamba (Jampa Chozom), passed away at a hospital in Brazil after a long illness. . . . Her passing is a great loss for the Dharma and she will be missed by many, may the blessings of her great masters continue to guide her . . .

Ani Zamba(Facebook)

The Life Story of Ani Zamba Chozom: Part Two Meeting Lama Yeshe The Life Story of Ani Zamba Chozom: Part Three Ordination, First Retreat, and First Teaching The Life Story of Ani Zamba Chozom: Part Four Finding the Nyingma Lineage The Life Story of Ani Zamba Chozom: Part Five Dzogchen and Meeting Her Teachers The Life Story of Ani Zamba Chozom: Part Six Thailand, Burma, and Korea The Life Story of Ani Zamba Chozom: Part Seven From Korea to the Philippines to Hong Kong The Life Story of Ani Zamba Chozom: Part Eight Brazil

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Renowned Buddhist Nun and Teacher Ani Zamba Chozom Has Died - Buddhistdoor Global

In our non-stop, plugged-in world, the quest for inner peace can feel like an elusive treasure hunt.

We often look to self-help gurus or wellness retreats, but what if I told you that the path to tranquility has been mapped out for centuries?

Thats right, centuries.

Buddhist philosophy offers timeless insights on finding harmony within, and its not as out of reach as you might think.

Let me level with you I used to roll my eyes at the idea of inner peace. It seemed like a lofty concept reserved for monks and yogis.

But then, I took a deep dive into Buddhist teachings and realized its not about escaping lifes hustle and bustle; its about navigating it with a calmer, more centered mindset.

Ready to find out how?

Lets explore together seven Buddhist-inspired ways to quiet the noise and cultivate a sense of serenity that sticks with you.

And dont worry, you wont need to meditate for hours on end or renounce your worldly possessions.

Its all about simple shifts that can lead to profound changes in your everyday life.

Ever caught yourself zoning out during a conversation or mindlessly scrolling through your phone? Weve all been there.

In Buddhist philosophy, mindfulness is the antidote to this autopilot mode.

Its about being fully present in the moment, aware of where we are and what were doing, without getting overly reactive or overwhelmed by whats going on around us.

Heres the kicker mindfulness isnt as daunting as it sounds. It starts with small steps.

Try this: focus on your breath for a minute or two. Feel the air moving in and out of your lungs, the rise and fall of your chest. When thoughts intrude and they will gently guide your attention back to your breathing.

This simple practice can be a gateway to a more mindful way of living.

By weaving mindfulness into our daily activities like savoring our morning coffee or truly listening when someone speaks we can start to find peace amid the chaos. Its about enjoying the journey, not just racing to the destination.

So next time you eat a meal, pay attention to each bite, the flavors, textures, and sensations. You might just find joy in the most ordinary experiences.

Mindfulness opens our eyes to the present, and this awareness naturally leads us to let go of attachment. As we become more present, we begin to see the impermanence in our attachments and learn to release our grip on them

This one hit me like a ton of bricks.

Attachment, in the Buddhist sense, isnt just about your collection of vintage stamps or your favorite coffee mug. Its a deep-seated habit of clinging to things, people, and experiences, creating a cycle of desire and dissatisfaction.

I remember when I clung desperately to a relationship that had run its course.

The fear of being alone was paralyzing. But heres what I learned: holding on was like tightly gripping a handful of sand the harder I tried to keep it, the more it slipped through my fingers.

When I finally let go, it felt like taking a deep breath after being underwater for too long.

The practice of non-attachment doesnt mean you stop caring. It means you learn to love freely without imposing conditions or expectations that can lead to disappointment. Its about appreciating what you have while recognizing that everything is transient.

Now, when I embrace new relationships or opportunities, I remind myself to enjoy them for what they are in the moment, not what they might become or how long they might last. Its incredibly liberating and has been a cornerstone in my journey toward inner peace.

Letting go of attachment paves the way for cultivating compassion. As we detach from our rigid expectations and desires, our hearts open wider, allowing us to empathize more deeply with ourselves and others

Ill be honest, there was a time when my inner critic had a megaphone, and I was its favorite target.

But I soon realized that beating myself up got me nowhere. Thats when I stumbled upon the Buddhist practice of compassion, starting with oneself.

It was during one particularly rough week, juggling deadlines and personal drama, that I found myself spiraling into self-criticism. Youre not good enough, my mind hissed.

But then, I paused. I remembered reading about Metta, or loving-kindness meditation a practice of directing well-wishes to oneself and then to others.

So, I gave it a shot.

Sitting quietly, I repeated phrases like May I be happy, may I be healthy, may I be at peace, and something shifted. The gnawing anxiety eased. It wasnt an overnight transformation, but with time and practice, cultivating compassion became like a balm for my frazzled nerves.

And it didnt stop with me. Extending compassion outward, even to those who ruffled my feathers, changed the game. Its not about being a doormat; its about recognizing the shared human experience that just like me, others want to be happy and free from suffering.

This shift in perspective has been key in finding inner peace and navigating life with a gentler heart.

As our compassion grows, so does our patience. Understanding and empathy teach us the value of waiting, of giving ourselves and others the time and space to grow and heal

I used to be the person tapping my foot impatiently in line, checking my watch every 30 seconds. If things didnt happen on my timeline, frustration bubbled up like a volcano.

Then, I encountered the Buddhist virtue of patience, and it was a game-changer.

Patience, in Buddhism, is not just about waiting without complaining; its about understanding the natural flow of life and our limited control over it. Its recognizing that our impatience often stems from a desire for instant gratification or an aversion to discomfort.

One summer, I decided to grow a garden. I planted seeds with high hopes for a bountiful harvest. Days turned into weeks, and my excitement waned as I saw no sign of life. It was a lesson in patience right there in the soil nature couldnt be rushed. Then one morning, tiny green shoots pushed through the earth, and I was reminded that growth takes time.

Applying this to life, I now approach challenges with a new mantra: This too shall pass.

Whether Im stuck in traffic or facing a delay in plans, I breathe and remind myself that getting worked up wont make things move any faster.

Learning to accept each moment as it comes, without the inner turmoil of impatience, has brought a sense of calm and acceptance that is truly peaceful.

Patience nurtures an understanding of lifes transient nature. As we learn to wait and watch, the truth of impermanence becomes clearer, teaching us the value of each fleeting moment

I was sifting through old photos the other day when I came across a picture of myself as a child, grinning ear to ear with an ice cream cone in hand. It struck me how much has changed since then not just my height or hairstyle, but everything.

Its a concept deeply rooted in Buddhist philosophy: impermanence, or anicca.

Nothing lasts forever. Seasons change, relationships evolve, and pain fades.

In Buddhism, recognizing the transient nature of life is essential for inner peace. Clinging to the way things wereor how we want them to beis like trying to hold onto a sunset; its beautiful but fleeting.

When I first learned that the atoms that make up our bodies are mostly empty space and are in a constant state of flux, it was both unsettling and enlightening. It reminded me of the ever-changing nature of existence.

Now, when I encounter change or loss, I try to see it through the lens of impermanence. Yes, it can be tough to let go, but theres also beauty in the ephemeral nature of life.

Embracing this truth has helped me appreciate the present and find peace in knowing that change is not just a part of lifeit is life.

With the understanding of impermanence, we start to find contentment in the simple things. We realize that the constant chase for more only leads to transient happiness, and simplicity offers a more enduring peace

Last year, I found myself overwhelmed by the clutter in my home. It wasnt just the physical stuff; my schedule was a tangled mess of commitments, and my mind buzzed with endless to-do lists.

It was then that I stumbled upon the Buddhist concept of simplicity, and it felt like a breath of fresh air.

Simplifying life is about more than cleaning out a closet or clearing a calendar. Its about stripping away the non-essential to make room for what truly matters.

For me, that meant reevaluating my priorities and learning to say no. It meant quiet evenings with a book instead of mindless scrolling, and heart-to-heart conversations instead of crowded gatherings.

This shift towards simplicity wasnt easy. I wrestled with the fear of missing out and the urge to stay busy.

But as I began to embrace a less cluttered life, I noticed a sense of contentment creeping in. The silence that once made me uneasy became a space for reflection and growth.

The beauty of simplicity is that it doesnt just create room in our closets and calendars; it creates space in our minds. In this space, I found peace that was both grounding and liberatinga sanctuary from the relentless pursuit of more. It turns out that sometimes, less really is more.

And as we embrace simplicity, we naturally gravitate towards reflection, a practice that fosters wisdom. In the quietude of a simpler life, we find the space to reflect, learn, and grow in understanding.

Theres a teaching in Buddhism about the two wings of a bird representing wisdom and compassion, both essential for the journey to enlightenment.

For me, the pursuit of wisdom has been the most pivotal in seeking inner peace.

Wisdom isnt just about knowledge; its about deep understanding and insight, especially into the nature of our own minds.

Each night, I carve out time for reflection, a quiet period to contemplate my actions and experiences of the day.

This practice isnt about self-judgment or rumination but rather observing patterns, learning from mistakes, and acknowledging growth. Its during these moments of stillness that Ive uncovered truths about myself and the world around me.

The most important thing to know is that wisdom is accessible to everyone. It doesnt require a library of texts or a guru to guide you; it starts with looking inward and asking questions.

Why do I react the way I do? What can this situation teach me?

The answers often come in whispers, in the space between thoughts, and they bring with them a tranquility that feels like coming home to yourself.

If these practices resonate with you, its a sign that youre on the path to cultivating inner peace. Remember, this isnt about perfection or a destination; its an ongoing journey of self-discovery and harmony.

Embracing these tenets from Buddhist philosophy doesnt require a radical life change but rather, a shift in perspective and intention. Its about finding contentment in the present and recognizing the transient nature of our worries and stresses.

Begin by incorporating these practices into your daily routine, whether its taking five minutes to meditate or simply pausing to breathe deeply during a hectic day. Each step is a stone on the path to tranquility.

Understanding that this is a personal process, be gentle with yourself as you explore these avenues to peace. Reflect on your progress, celebrate your growth, and remember that each moment is an opportunity to return to these principles.

As you move forward, may you find that with each mindful step, a sense of calm and clarity naturally unfolds within you. This is the essence of inner peace a serene landscape that exists within, waiting for you to visit whenever you seek refuge from the outer world.

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7 ways to attain inner peace, based on Buddhist philosophy - Hack Spirit

For years, Ethereum developers have been hard at work on one of the network's gravest security risks: thousands of validators operate the second most valuable blockchain, but just a few of them have almost all of the power.

Every 12 seconds, a new block of transactions is added to Ethereum. Those blocks are added by validators, which could be companies, individuals or collectives that lock up, or "stake," at least 32 ETH (currently aboout $70,000 worth) in exchange for a steady yield.

Lido, the collective that is the biggest validator on Ethereum, controls 32% of all staked ETH. If this share grows by just a couple of percentage points creeping past the 33% threshold required to block a 67% supermajority of validators network outages or deliberate malfeasance at Lido could have massive ramifications for Ethereum as a whole.

This vulnerability stems from the "centralized" nature of most validators; virtually all validators are just individual computers (or servers) loaded with one of a few popular node-running softwares. If there are bugs in the software or if a computer falls offline or if the person operating a big validator decides to act dishonestly then the entire network might suffer.

Distributed validator technology, or DVT, aims to put these risks into the past. Projects that use the tech like Obol, SSV and Diva help validators spread their operations between several parties, ostensibly as a way to make validators more resilient and less subject to single points of failure.

DVT solutions have been talked about for a while, but even as some long-awaited DVT platforms are finally going live, their overall adoption remains low. By Obol's estimate, less than a single percentage point's worth of staked ETH is controlled by DVT-based validators.

In 2024, that could all change. Leaders in the DVT space are finally putting the finishing touches on their platforms, and Lido could soon transition some of its operations into the hands of distributed infrastructure.

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The big selling point of blockchain networks is that they are "decentralized." Ethereum's validator system which spreads power between parties according to how much ETH they stake is the main way it remains resilient to outages and stays "credibly neutral," meaning it's theoretically immune to the whims of companies or governments.

But just a few validators, including those run by Lido, have gradually amassed a lion's share of the power over the network.

Lido's market presence grants it a huge amount of sway over how transactions are added to the chain because validators ultimately choose which transactions are written to Ethereum and in what order.

Even more troublingly, should Lido or any other validator ever amass 33% of all staked ETH, it will have the ability to meddle with how the chain reaches consensus. If Lido goes offline or decides to attack the network once it passes this critical threshold, it could, in theory, put the brakes on all network activity.

The prospect of network attacks and unfair distribution of power have always loomed larger over Ethereum. The ecosystem has historically prided itself on operating with a relatively high degree of decentralization, and it shifted from a Bitcoin-esque mining system to its present-day staking regime in part to help further democratize control over the network.

But as certain stakers and Lido, in particular have amassed more and more control over the Etheruem network, DVT has been looked to as a possible saving grace.

"It all goes back to the ethos of Ethereum," said Alon Muroch, founder of DVT firm SSV, which offers a network that validator operators can use to split up control over their infrastructure. "People don't want to be dependent on a single entity. I think that ethos is very strong."

While no two DVT solutions are exactly alike, they generally work similarly, by splitting the "keys" to a given validator across several different nodes. A consensus of key holders needs to sign off on decisions over how DVT validators operate, and if one key holder goes offline, others can fill in to keep things running.

A benefit to this setup is the added resiliency.

"Today validators are single-engine planes. If a validator goes down, it's offline," said Brett Li, head of growth at Obol Labs, which is also building a network to distribute validators. With DVT, "It's redundancy. You can have two engines, and if one of the engines fails, you can still get where you need to go safely."

With product launches and testnets this year from Obol, Diva, SSV and others, long-simmering hopes for a more decentralized Ethereum validator network are finally nearing production.

In November, Lido took a first step toward transitioning to DVT with the introduction of its "Simple DVT Module." Lido takes deposits from users and distributes them across third-party validator operators. With the new DVT module, which is being tested in partnership with Obol and SSV, Lido's third-party validators can become decentralized blunting the ability for Lido, which ultimately controls its validators today, to exert undue pressure on them.

The ambitions for DVT operators don't end with Lido.

"If the milestone with Lido succeeds, then it's gonna be the standard for everyone, because Lido is the biggest," said Muroch." If Lido makes the move, then others will make the move."

It could take some time for Lido to transition its validators to DVT, or for wider infrastructure operators to feel comfortable adopting the technology. Validators run by big institutions might continue to run their validators fully in-house comfortable with the software and maintenance required to keep a validator node afloat, and reticent to adopt new tech that could impinge their flexibility.

But hobbyist "solo-stakers" and community-run collectives like Lido, which continue to account for a large overall proportion of all staked ETH, might soon embrace DVT as a result of its easy setup and ideological underpinnings.

"In two or three years you'll see hopefully between a third or half of validators running on DVT," Muroch estimated. Obol's Li offered a similar near-term prediction, and said that in the long-run he expects "80%" of validators to run on DVT-based infrastructure.

Correction (Dec. 21, 12:43 UTC): Corrects SSV founder Alon Muroch's name and title.

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Lido Tests of 'Distributed Validator Technology' Portend 2024 Decentralization Push - CoinDesk

The PBS Foundation is opening applications for an initial $1 million in grants for research and development on Ethereum proposer-builder separation.

The non-profits pilot phase drew support from Coinbase, Consensys, Fenbushi Capital, Flashbots, Paradigm, the Uniswap Foundation and Vitalik Buterin.

Grants will be disbursed by a council. The council includes representatives from Blocknative, Consensys, the Ethereum Foundation and Flashbots, among others. The foundations grant lead is Eugene Leventhal from the research group Metagov.

Read more: For Ethereum rollups, dealing with data remains a bottleneck

First proposed by Ethereum founder Vitalik Buterin, proposer-builder separation (PBS) is the concept of separating proposers which submit transaction bundles to validators on a blockchain and builders, which organize the transactions in a specific order.

PBS represents an attempt at decentralization, as the combination of proposing and building gives well-heeled centralized mining pools a competitive advantage.

PBS first went into effect after Ethereums Merge to proof-of-stake. Now, the PBS Foundation aims to promote research and infrastructure to address some of the challenges the concept currently faces.

Notably, MEV-boost relays have become centralized since the Merge. Relayers operate between block builders and validators on maximal extractable value (MEV) boosted transactions, selecting blocks with the highest possible fees. Roughly 90% of transactions in the last 500 epochs, or roughly two days, made use of MEV-boost. Of MEV-boost transactions in the past 24 hours, roughly 97% have been handled by five relayers, according to relayscan.

Blocknative, once among those top relayers, discontinued its service in September, citing economic viability concerns. Relayers do not currently collect fees. Uri Klarman, CEO of bloXroute, which runs a large relayer, has advocated fee structures outside of public goods funding to incentivize more relayers to join the fray.

A spokesperson for the PBS Foundation said the grant funding could be used to fund relayers, with a particular emphasis on those who introduce novel designs for relaying.

The funding will also be focused on community and educational materials, data transparency on Ethereums mempool and blocks, and research on how PBS can be improved or even enshrined on both the primary network and on layer-2 networks.

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Buterin, Coinbase and more to fund Ethereum decentralization grants - Blockworks