Refuge is not a place, it’s an attitude. It’s the attitude of giving up trying to be perfect, and of honesty, humility and forgiveness. Many of us carry an idea of refuge as an "island where it all works out;” an imaginary place where we get everything we want and get away from what we don’t want. But that is a fantasy! What if, instead, we could find refuge here on earth—where there's dukkha, where we aren't perfect, where we make mistakes? Here, in each moment, with each breath, as we meet our inner and outer difficulties with clarity, curiosity and kindness. This is true sanctuary and peace.
Pamela Weiss
Spirit Rock Residential Teacher
Pamela Weiss is a Buddhist teacher in Theravada and Soto Zen, and a guiding teacher at San Francisco Insight. She has been practicing since 1987, including several years of Zen monastic training and retreat teacher training through Spirit Rock. Pamela is the author of A Bigger Sky: Awakening a Fierce Feminine Buddhism.