Blonds, stores, traffic: Life in Russia

What NORMAL, usual Russian neighborhood looks like

Buddhism in Russia (Snelling)

(Arisha in Russia) Buddhism is the third-largest religion in Russia, behind Christianity and Islam. As of 2025, it was practiced by approximately 1.4 million Buddhists, representing about 1.0% of the country’s total population [1].

• In America we misuse the term "White Russian" as if that were the exception, when it is the largest of Russia's 93 ethnicities. Russia is massive and includes many indigenous peoples from Northern Europe to the Arctic Circle.

We have so many Russian ethnicities! (Eli)

Buddhism is considered one of Russia's traditional religions -- with the only indigenously Buddhist region in the world in Kalmykia -- and is legally a part of Russian historical heritage [2]. Russian dictator Vlad Lenin, a disaffected Christian who became a nominal/official communist-atheist, had at least one indigenously Buddhist relative.

I'm very Asian and 100% Russian

Historically, Buddhism was incorporated into Siberia in the early 17th century [3]. Besides the historical monastic traditions of the Buryats, the Kalmyks (Kalmykia being the only majority Buddhist republic in Europe), the Tuvans, and a part of the Evenki people (in Buryatia) [4], Buddhism is now spreading all over Russia, with many young ethnic Russian converts [5, 6].

Ancient Tartaria/Tartary was probably in Russia.

The main form of Buddhism in Russia is Vajrayana, particularly the Gelukpa school of Tibetan Buddhism, to which the Dalai Lama belongs, informally a tradition known as the "Yellow Hats" [6, 7] with other minority Tibetan and non-Tibetan Buddhist schools, such as the Mongolian.

Although Tibetan Buddhism is most often associated with Tibet, it spread into Mongolia. Via Mongolia, Buddhism spread into Siberia before spreading to the rest of Russia.

In the early 20th century, the famous Datsan Gunzechoinei in Saint Petersburg (formerly Leningrad) was the northernmost Buddhist temple in Russia. More

The Buddhist origins of Reiki (video)

Reiki Founder Mikao Usui

Mikao Usui (1865-1926), commonly Usui Mikao in Japanese, was the founder of Reiki, a form of spiritual energy healing used as an alternative therapy for the treatment of physical, emotional, and mental diseases.

He taught Reiki to over 2,000 people during his lifetime. Eleven of these students continued their training to reach the Shinpiden level, equivalent to the Western third degree or Master level.

Early life, family, and education

What is our energetic aura?

He was born in Taniai village (now Miyama cho), Yamagata district, Gifu Prefecture, Japan, now located near present-day Nagoya. His ancestors were the once influential Chiba clan of Hatamoto samurai.

According to the inscription on his memorial, Tsunetane Chiba, a military commander during the end of the Heian period and the start of the Kamakura period (1180-1230), was one of Usui's ancestors.

In 1551, Toshitane Chiba conquered the city Usui and thereafter all family members acquired that name.

Usui was raised as a samurai from childhood, specifically in the martial arts techniques of aiki (合氣術) or "Way of Aiki" = Aikido.

• A Shumei member recently told us that three Japanese men all belonged to an organization called Oomoto Kyo ("Great Source"). One went on to develop Reiki, another (Morihei Ueshiba) Aikido, and a third (Mokichi Okada) Jyorei energy healing and Shumei.
• Aikido Founder Morihei Ueshiba developed Aikido as a synthesis of his martial studies, philosophy, and religious beliefs. His goal was to create an art that practitioners could use to defend themselves while also protecting their attackers from injury. Aikido is often translated as "the way of unifying (with) life energy" or as "the way of harmonious spirit." According to the founder's philosophy, the primary goal in the practice of aikido is to overcome oneself instead of cultivating violence or aggressiveness against others.

Although there are many stories extant in the United States that Usui earned a doctorate in theology at the theological seminary of the University of Chicago, he never attended, let alone received any degree from the University of Chicago.

Career and activities

There is a universal life force (chi or ki)

As an adult, it is believed that he traveled to several Western countries, including the Americas, Europe, and China as a part of his continued study.

His studies included medicine, history, Buddhism, Christianity, psychology, and Taoism.

It is believed that the aim of Usui's teachings was to provide a method for students to achieve connection with the "universal life force" energy (prana, esoteric energy, holy spirit, spiritus, animating force) that would help them in their self-development.

What sets his teachings apart from other hands-on healing methods is his use of attunement (reiju) to remind students of their spiritual connection.

It seems that all of his students received five principles to live by and those with a further interest in the teachings became dedicated students.

There does not appear to have been a distinction between clients and students in the beginning though this may have changed at some point.

People began coming to Usui Mikao possibly for different purposes -- some for healing and others for the spiritual teachings.

Shugendō is a Japanese mountain ascetic shamanism that incorporates Shinto and Buddhist practices [15].

The roles of Shugendō practitioners include offering religious services such as fortune telling, divination, channeling, prayer, ritual incantations, and exorcism.

Shugendo was often used by family clans to heal disease or avoid misfortune [11].

Claims of Reiki's Christian origins

Hawayo Takata, a Reiki Master under the tutelage of Chujiro Hayashi (林 忠次郎, 1880–1940), lied about Reiki's history of development to make Reiki more appealing to the West [16].

To this end she made a relation of Reiki with Jesus Christ and not with Buddhism.

Buddhist origins of Reiki

She also falsely presented Usui as the dean of a Christian school. While he had obtained the knowledge of Reiki from the Buddhist religious book The Tantra of the Lightning Flash, Takata claimed that he had been inspired from the story of Jesus Christ, who had healed with the touch of his hand.

So Usui, it was said, had come to America to learn Reiki. She told this to spread Reiki among Christians, too, believing it would otherwise be extinct.

However, in 1994, the original manuscript was found, which claimed that Reiki had originated from Gautama Buddha, the historical founder of Buddhism [17]. More

• Healing in Buddhism: Part 2 (abuddhistlibrary.com)
• Original Reiki info the sources: Part 3 (stason.org)
• Reiki: Tibetan Buddhist Origins? (aetw.org)
• Reiki is not a religion: The 2003 CESNUR Conference: The "Quasi-Religion" of Reiki (Menegotto)

The origins of Reiki and the glory of India:  It's all prana (breath, spirit, spiritual-energy)

(Yogiraj SatGurunath Siddhanath) Nov. 22, 2015. Yogiraj Gurunath Siddhanath World Tour Schedule: siddhanath.org

• Dhr. Seven, Caroline, CC Liu (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly, Wiki; Yogiraj SatGurunath Siddhanath

Is 99% of modern yoga fake 'bhoga'?

I'm ready for yoga! I did the most important thing. I bought this outfit that really shows my...

(Miska Käppi) I studied yoga for 20 years, and 99% was fake

OK, they say never drink before yoga class, but I think a little booze is not bad. Oops!!!

• Bhoja is not bogus; it is "something done for enjoyment," according to B.K.S. Iyengar, says Miska Käppi, as many bhojis calling themselves "yogis" practice nowadays.
• Opposites — Ashtanga Yoga Sanskrit
• Yoga is not a lot of twisting, breathing, or jumping around in a modern studio; it is to "unite," to bring about "union" of the self (atman, "soul") with Brahman (the Ultimate) and/or breath (prana, "holy spirit"), the conventional divine (Brahma, the Creator), Vishnu (the Preserver) usually nowadays in the form of Shiva, the Destroyer

What looks like a repeating gif is actually a remarkable stunt

Yoga postures for balance, strength, and flexibility

Messianic Bikram Choudhury as persecuted Christ figure

• What is "the real thing"? One answer is The Eightfold Path: Ashtanga (Integral Yoga sometime Raja/Royal Yoga), a system of achieving "union" with the divine by the practice of eight limbs of the path: Yamas (external disciplines), Niyamas (internal disciplines), Asanas (physical postures), Pranayama (breath control), Pratyahara (sense withdrawal), Dharama (concentration), Dhyana (meditative absorptions, jhanas), and Samadhi (union, integration, coherence). The whole purpose of Yoga -- at least in ancient times between gurus and chelas (teachers and disciples) -- is MEDITATION. Asanas (lit. "seats") allow one to sit longer, more comfortably, and with stability. That is to say, practicing for the meditative absorptions is to reach of Samadhi. Who can say otherwise?

• Ashtanga (The Eight Limbs of Yoga)

• Miska Käppi; Dhr. Seven, Amber Larson, Ananda (Dharma Buddhist Meditation), Wisdom Quarterly

The healthiest TV family in the Sixties

How could these groovy ghoulies be praised by psychologists?

Wednesday Addams dance to "Goo Goo Muck" - Healthiest "family" on TV (1964)

• Porn? 'Wednesday' costume for Halloween
• The Addams Family (1964 TV series)
• The Addams Family (1991 film)
• The Addams Family (2019 film)
• The Addams Family (animated)
• The Addams Family (musical)

15高清星空投影仪: US family sibling violence - What if Wednesday today were to get gnarly?

How can I regain my health and beauty?

Could Resilia black seed and oregano oil pills - Shop for Soursop Bitters right now!

help if wife cheats with younger gym trainer? - What if the real problem is parasites?

• Resilia SCAM ALERT: Other brands tested BETTER (trustedconsumersreviews.com/best-oregano-oil-supplement) Try Gaia
• 5 signs body has parasites song
• Flush out the toxics – Serene Herbs
• Old men with aging face, it's the muscle underneath (Serlino Lab retinol palmitate)

The dangers of the new hantavirus

She felt pain on right side of her body😢 - New pandemic? Insane hantavirus discovery 💡

TikToker drank 2 bottles of Benadryl and died 🥴 - Druggie tried to bribe cop or be a narc? 😭

Me and My Shadow: looking young (Jung)

(Mindova) Why spiritually awakened people look younger than their age: Carl Jung

• Here "awakened" should not be conflated with Buddhist "enlightenment" (bodhi) since every spiritual tradition will have its own definition of what it is calling the peak realization, moksha, liberation. And even if they use the same words for it (like "nirvana"), it is not the same. For example, Hinduism and Buddhism are VERY different in all the subtle details, but in the West think they're just about identical with some name changes. There would be no need for Buddhism if it were saying what Hindus want to believe and hear. Another example is Jainism. Jains are much closer to Buddhists than Hindus, but they are still worlds apart. Both are wandering ascetic traditions, but Mahavira's insights and explanations did not hold up to the Buddha's scrutiny. Mahavira understood much, attained much, but did not become an arahant (enlightened one in the Buddhist sense of the word). That should show anyone that details matter, differences matter. We can all agree and hold hands and talk about our commonalities on our spiritual quest, but for goodness sakes we have to talk about the contrasts and differences to really benefit one another.

The 'Punk Rock Vegan Movie' (Moby)

(Moby) Punk Rock Vegan Movie

• Straight edge

Magic 'Soul Retrieval' in Taoism/Buddhism

Native wisdom: soul retrieval (Monroe Inst.)

(Benebell Wen) Soul dualism in Eastern mysticism and Chinese Folk Medical Philosophy

• Chinese folk religion
• Shen (Chinese folk religion)
• Tao Te Ching (Book of Changes)
• Shingon (Esoteric) Buddhism
• Vajrayana (Tibetan Buddhism)
• Ceremonial magic
• Taoism

Taoist alchemy of breathing for life

(Benebell Wen) Taoist secret to cultivating personal power: Inner Alchemy

• Esoteric Buddhism (book)
• East Asian Buddhism
• Traditional Chinese medicine
• Eastern philosophy in clinical psychology
• Feng Guifen or Linyi

When they stole 'First Sleep' from us

(Erased Century)

During the three watches of the night till dawn

Again and again in ancient Buddhist texts, including descriptions of the wandering ascetic Siddhartha's own "great awakening" (maha-bodhi), the enlightenment (bodhi) that led him to become the Buddha, "the Awakened One," were the "watches of the night."

These were the natural cycles of sleep (now referred to as polyphasic or biphasic sleep) and waking, which included "first sleep."

 

Emerging from first sleep, one is calm and in a naturally "meditative" state (calm, samatha) conducive to samadhi (mental coherence, superconsciousness). This samma-samadhi (defined in Buddhism as the eight meditative absorptions or jhanas) are crucial to attaining liberating insight (vipassana).

Calm is the very foundation of heart/mind purification (vissudhi-magga, the "path of purification") that insight-practices (described in the two Four Foundations of Mindfulness Discourses) are built on.

The bases for this calm are virtue (sila) and diligent persistence, not loose living and then over-efforting as most of us seem to think is the answer to tackling all things nowadays. Virtue leads naturally to peace of mind leads naturally to insight, not in and of themselves but progressively by consistent practice.

• Watches of the night
• The vigil or "wake (ceremony)" around death refers to this
• The original translations of sati (Buddhist "mindfulness") were "wakefulness," "attentiveness," "watchfulness," "vigilance," "diligence," "assiduousness," non-absentmindedness, non-drowsiness, non-diffusion, non-scattered attention, and one might add "calm persistence" rather than force or struggle, greedy striving or straining.
• Watchkeeping

These "watches" of the night were not an ancient Indian invention that the Buddha-to-be Siddhartha invented. They are our human birthright as Homo sapien sapiens. We are wired this way, and industrialization took it away for capitalism and Christianity's sake.

The British seem to have coined "watch" of the night, but all Americans used to turn in, wake up, do family things together, including eating together, then go back to sleep. This was natural. This was taken for granted. This is the way it had always been since our caveperson days.

Who took it away and why? It's clear that it was capitalist industrialists weaponizing the West's Christian religion.

Conscious Life Expo 2026 (Feb. 20-23)

Los Angeles' massive annual spiritual bazaar pops up near LAX every February around Valentine's Day. The Conscious Life Expo presents cutting edge spiritual, scientific, health, and wellness information as well as life-changing experiences. Thousands of attendees flood into this annual event in Los Angeles, the City of [Lost] Angels. Join CLE's hundreds of speakers and exhibitors, vendors and gurus, whistleblowers and mystics, filling three floors of the LAX Hilton as everyone happily participates in the transformation of the world. (Tickets)

The Conscious Life Expo DISCOUNT TICKETS

KEYNOTE ADDRESSES: Ross Coulthart, Dr. Diane Hennacy, Dana Kippel, Koya Webb, Danny Goler, Rayan Raelsbek

SPECIAL EVENTS: Seances with Susan Slaughter, Astrology Symposium Forum, Disclosure Lunch, Plant Medicine Symposium, Live Play About Ascension, Hall of Healing

FEBRUARY 2026 SPEAKERS: Darryl Anka-Bashar, Elizabeth April, Linda Moulton Howe, Matias De Stefano, Robert Edward Grant, Sarah Breskman Cosme, Billy Carson, Althea Lucrezia Avanzo, Debbie Solaris, Ross Coulthart, Paul Hynek, Dr. Diane Hennacy, Jimmy Church, Stephen Bassett, Gail Thackray, Dr. Bryan Ardis, Riz Virk, Ismael Perez, Thomas Winterton, Adam Apollo, Megan SolarGlow, Daniel Sheehan, Caroline Cory, Tigo Bizzel, Sitara Fe, Dana Kippel, Koya Webb, Jason Martell, Danny Goler, Wendy Kennedy, Susan Slaughter, Rayan Raelsbek, Lisa Garr, Sondra Sneed, Sacha Stone, Dannion Brinkley, Oracle Maureen, Karyn Reece, The Nurse Medium Maureen St. Germain, Maverick Approach, Deep Prasad, Monique Guild, Dr. Clint G. Rogers, Blake Bauer, Maria Martinez, Melina Takvorian-Mishra, Jerry Sargeant, Fer Broca, Masati, Neil Gaur, Amy Robeson, Rissa Vibes, Deborah Stuart, Matt Young, Toni Ghazi, Michelle Dragon, Galaxy Starborn, Sarah Shook, Rebecca Dawson, Sid Goldberg, Yama Mitsu, Susanne Wilson, Master Clarice Chan, Emy Shanti, Marzcia Techau, A.L. Garris, Melissa Feick, Marilyn Gewacke, Drs. J.J. & Desiree Hurtak, Leigh Anne Harrison, Shima Moore, Opal Unicorn, Banafsheh Sayyad, Paget Kagy, Uri Lee, Dr. Sharnael Wolverton Sehon, Victoria Pippo, Paul Harris, Serena Wright Taylor, Cassandra Joan Butler, Guru Matthew John, Jerome Martin, Aurora Luna Star, Alan Steinfeld, Emily Harrison, Ken Lloyd, Bridgette, Eleonora, Delssy, Marisa Grieco, Blitz, Gold Porter, Marlu Harris, Carol Margaret Lowell, Dani Heise, Aurea Lara, Mary Buckingham, Anastasia Armanova, JJ Brighton, Eva Krom, Lori Spagna, Gary Kiss, Phil Wilson.

2026 POST-CONFERENCES: Bashar, Dr. Diane Hennacy, Ross Coulthart, Wendy Kennedy, Linda Moulton Howe, Sarah Breskman Cosme, Jerry Sargeant, Robert Edward Grant, Blake Bauer, Danny Sheehan, Billy Carson, Darryl Anka, Sylvie Sterling, Toni Ghazi, Anthony Kalask, Ken Lloyd, Master Clarice Chan, Tracee Dunblazier, Gail Thackray, The Nurse Medium, Brandy Weld, Koya Webb, Astrology Symposium, Entheogenic Medicine Symposium, Plant Medicine Symposium.

2026 LECTURES: Tracee Dunblazier, Mike Ricksecker, Debra Guisti, Michelle Freed, Drs. J.J. & Desiree Hurtak, Debbi Dachinger, Jos Daniel, David Palmer, Dr. Sharnael Wolverton Sehon, Ashlee DiSalvo, Opal Unicorn, John Klug, Neil Gaur, Paget Kagy, Sandra Biskind, Dr. Christopher McLaine, Gina Vance, Suzanne Ross, Naoko Tamada, Renee Baribeau, Donna Pombriant, Maria Martinez, Dr. Q Moyad, Brian Besco, Galaxy Starborn, Guru Matthew John, Keith Seland, Jane Masteller, Kathleen Ball, Adrienne Bawa, Paul Harris, Dick Larson, Anya Starlight, Jacob Hoy, Jose Zambrano, Oracle Maureen, Helen Plehn, Unicole Unicron, Melissa Winterton, Jim Ohneck, Stan Kurtz, Terry Brussel-Rogers, Sylvie Sterling, Joanna Espinosa, Stacey Shell, Pamela Nicolas, Ken Lloyd, Marzcia Techau, Margarit Mane' Yetaryn, Masati, Deborah Stuart, A.L. Garris, Rehmannia Dean Thomas, Aurea Lara, Gaia Mariana, Melissa Feick, Yama Mitsu, Bruce White Feather, Carmen Froment, Denea Hugunin, Brent Bruning, Matt Young, Douglas Taylor, Nguyet "Moon" Nguyen, Andy Hnilo, Uri Lee, Douglas Sutton, Mayra Rath, Amy Starseed, Katarina Reyes, Maria Eleonora Magdalena, Samuel Kiwasz, Papa-Yoni Das, Shahin Jedian, Barbie Godoy, Khorsian Blanc-Ridings, Maureen St. Germain, Tom Kerber, Mark Kohl, Kathleen Lee, Marlu Harris, Carol Margaret Lowell, Dr. Darrell Wolfe, Dr. Har Hari Khalsa, Carolin Hauser & Tim Nelsen, Dr. Luke Cua, Linda Canary, Michelle Watkins, Sanjay Soni, Larry Oberau, Chris Bradley, Matt Alexander, Melissa St. Hilaire, Ewa Zender, Sy Wind, Raffaele Gianfrancesco, Antoinette Rootsdawtah, Kathleen Gildred, Krissy Colasonno, Rebecca Vindenoff, Naya Cosmic, Tanjila Islam, Monique Franceschini, Medizen Mama, Wendy Reitz, Gary Kiss, Kommany Angelstar, Phil Wilson, Melina Takvorian-Mishra, Jason Schmidt, Mona Loring, Roy Abadi, Jerry Sargeant, Janelle Corpuz, Anistara Ma Ka, Apu Adman & Zanny Morales, Marta Maria Marraccini, Shamananda Lee, Brahmachari Luciano, Tecpati Mictlantecuhtli, Abi Ferrin & Txana Tuwe, Irene Schulz, Jason Stiles, Tamika Aaron, Seadar Green, Jenna Lee, Chris Shelton, Tammy Lynn Calderon, Victoria Shaw, Leslie Zerman, Amy Sikarskie, You?

• consciouslifeexpo.com

Real Happiness Meditation Challenge

• Let's get to know accomplished Theravada JuBu meditation teacher Sharon Salzberg, best hippie friend of Jack Kornfield, Sylvia Boorstein, Joseph Goldstein, Dipa Ma (Nani Barua), Dipa, and countless meditation practitioners at Insight Meditation Society in Barre, Massachusetts and Los Angeles

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

• If I am locked out of Teachable, how do I access the course?

Login to Teachable using the Teachable password right here or login with a temporary code right here.

• My Teachable password isn’t working, and I can’t login!

Login with a temporary code right here or reset your Teachable password right here.

• Real Happiness — Sharon Salzberg
• Real Happiness Meditation Challenge 2026

• I signed up for the Challenge but have not received anything.

Registrants should receive a confirmation within a few minutes of signing up from Teachable. If not and no emails have been received, check the spam/junk and “promotions” folders. Still can't locate any emails from Teachable, contact support team right here.

• How long are the lessons?

Daily lessons vary in length ranging from 7-10 minutes. Practice for longer if you wish. That is always welcome.

• When does the Challenge start?

The Challenge begins Sunday, February 1, 2026. Each lesson in February becomes available daily as we move through the month. Lesson One becomes available on February 1st...Lesson Five becomes available on February 5th, and so on.

• Can I join the challenge late?

Registration for the 2026 challenge closes at 11:59 pm EST on January 31st. Unfortunately, we cannot take late registrants beyond that date. So do it now, not in a minute, NOW.

• Is the Challenge free?

The Challenge is offered on a sliding-scale basis with a suggested contribution of a dollar-a-day ($28); however, a donation is not required to participate. If you are inspired to make a larger contribution to support the Challenge, you can do so here via PayPal.

• Does the course have lifetime access?

No, there is no lifetime access to course materials, as they are owned by happify.com. Once a lesson becomes available, you have until May 31st, 2026, to access it.

• How do I access meditations?

Once you sign up for the Challenge, you will receive an email to verify your account in Teachable. Once setup, you will need to log-in to Teachable each day to access lessons. You will receive a daily email from us each day with the link to the day's lesson. If you are not receiving these emails, please contact our support team right here.

• Can I download lessons?

No, the lessons are not available to download. Video components, including the guided meditations, are only available to stream.

• What time are lessons available each day?

Daily lessons are released at midnight/0:00 UTC (Universal Time Coordinated) on the day prior. To see what midnight/0:00 UTC corresponds to in your local time zone, use this UTC converter.

• If I get busy and skip some days of the Challenge, should I stop all together, or can I continue forward?

You are either welcome to continue onward either at your own pace doing the lessons in order or pick back up on the current day’s lesson the group is currently on. You can then go back later to the lessons you missed since you will have access to the materials until May 31st, 2026.

• Do I need to purchase a copy of the book to participate in the Challenge?

Real Happiness: Power of Meditation: 28-Days

No, the book Real Happiness is not required to participate in the Challenge. However, if you would like to supplement your experience, it is a great way to deepen your experience. For anyone wanting to purchase the book, you can use the code MEDITATION20 to receive a 20% discount via Hachette (US orders only). This discount also applies to Real Happiness at Work and Finding Your Way.

• Does it matter if I buy the physical book or the eBook?

All forms of the book are the same. Choose whatever format you prefer for yourself.

• Are there guidelines for comments?

Kindly limit sharing in the comments section to the scope of this Challenge and how it affects your life. Our intention is to foster a community of encouragement and support for this practice. We ask that comments adhere to the principles of right speech and refrain from harmful speech. Any comments containing advertisements or inappropriate content will not be published.

• When are my comments published?

"We can always begin again." - S. Salzberg

Our team reads all comments before they are published within 24 hours. We ask that all comments adhere to the principles of right speech and refrain from harmful speech. Any comments containing advertisements or inappropriate content will not be published.

• Why wasn’t my comment published?

If your comment doesn’t meet our guidelines, it will not be published. If you still have a question or concern, please contact our Challenge Support Team by direct email right here.

• Week 1 • Concentration | Sharon Salzberg
• Real Happiness Meditation Challenge 2026
• Remember, it BEGINS on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026

American Buddhist teacher Sharon Salzberg

ABOUT: Sharon Salzberg is a pioneer in the field of Buddhist meditation, a world-renowned teacher, and New York Times bestselling author. She has played a pivotal role in bringing Buddhist insight meditation (vipassana) and mindfulness (sati) into mainstream American culture since 1974. She is cofounder of The Insight Meditation Society in Barre, MA, and has authored 10 books, including the New York Times bestseller Real Happiness. Acclaimed for her down-to-earth and relatable teaching style, she offers a secular, modern approach to Buddhist teachings, making them instantly accessible. Her writing can be found on Medium, On Being, the Maria Shriver blog, and Huffington Post. She is also the host of her own podcast The Metta Hour, with 100+ episodes, featuring interviews with the top leaders and voices in the meditation and mindfulness movement. Learn more at sharonsalzberg.com.

• Sharon Salzberg, FAQs, 2026; Crystal Q., CC Liu, Sheldon S., Dhr. Seven, The New Real Happiness Crew (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

'Must-Know Go-To Survival Plants' (book)

Must-Know Go-To Survival Plants of North America

American plant expert Christopher Nyerges

Local guide and prolific author Christopher Nyerges, founder of the School of Self-Reliance, and his wife Helen Nyerges have 4.0 out of 5 stars (with 1 review) with their guidebook Must-Know Go-To Survival Plants of North America.

This easy-to-read book includes a line drawing for each plant and photos that make identification easy. There is also a numerical graph that gives each plant a “score,” depending on how useful the plants are for

• food,
• medicine,
• water,
• fire,
• shelter, and
• other uses.

There is also a guide on how to use and store plants, showing whether a plant can be eaten raw or cooked, and whether it is best when stored dried, frozen, or pickled, or all three.

The authors include plants readers are likely to find anywhere across North America. They also include plants they use most of the time because these plants are widespread, common, easy to recognize, and good tasting.

Also available on Amazon

The book contains 29 entries, though it covers many more than 29 individual plants. For example, in the tree section, there is a discussion of elderberries, oaks, and willows. What they say about these three genera of trees is applicable to every species worldwide of elders, oaks, and willows.

There are 20 species of Sambucus (elder) worldwide, about 600 species of Quercus (oak trees) worldwide, and about 400 species of Salix (willows) worldwide. What is written about Rubus (blackberry) applies to all species, and comments about cattail apply to all 15 species worldwide.

The book talks about individual species used as food -- such as chickweed, lamb’s quarter, and purslane. Several in the section on herbaceous plants contain many individual species, such as grasses, with about 10,550 species worldwide, and onions of which there are about 500 species worldwide, and seaweeds.

Seaweeds are marine algae, divided into the three major categories: green, red, and brown for a combined total of about 10,000 species worldwide.

The book is a refreshing addition to any botanical collection whether one studies as a novice or expert.

• BOOK: Must-Know Go-To Survival Plants of North America (School of Self-Reliance)
• Christopher and Helen Nyerges, SchoolofSelf-Reliance.com; Amazon.com; Dhr. Seven, Xochitl (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly