Foundation

Essays on self-reliance and why you are the foundation. Most spiritual advice outsources growth to teachers and systems. These argue the opposite: you're the starting point. Twenty years taught me no guru or retreat can do the work for you—they're tools, not replacements for verification. Everything comes back to one question: did you test it yourself, or just believe someone who seemed to know? Stop outsourcing. Start testing. Build from your own ground, not someone else's promises.

Student questioning teacher with both respect and critical thinking, representing healthy skepticism

Foundation Featured

What Your Guru Forgot to Tell You

Here's something that complicates the narrative: my current teacher actually told me. 'Verify everything,' he said. 'Don't take my word for it.' I've heard him say this dozens of times. And yet.

meditating - awakened awareness and critical thinking in spiritual practice

Foundation Featured

What Twenty Years of Meditation Actually Taught Me

I need to tell you about two versions of myself. The first was twenty years old and certain he'd found the answer. The second is writing this now - still practicing, but with his eyes open this time.