January 13th, 2025

A reminder to find the present moment

My heart is with anyone that is affected by the fires. I just returned to New Orleans after leaving in the midst of an FBI investigation blocks from my home and arrived to Los Angeles for an unexpected heavy week of loss and devastation. I wanted to share something that has pulled me through the last years in making my new book and transforming my life from the inside out.

In Buddhist philosophy there is the idea that the essence of suffering is clinging - holding on to words, to ideas, to material possessions, to thoughts, to relationships, to expectations, to molds of former generations. As soon as we attach ourselves to something, it creates space for suffering. The ultimate freedom in life, the pathway to peace is to release yourself from the spiritual binds of anything you cling to. It sounds impossible, but you start by simply observing the present moment, what you have around you and giving yourself permission to enjoy the moment and know it will pass and change. As you learn to release yourself from the binds of clinging, you continue to flow with life, you accept that material possessions were not there when you arrived in this world and will not be there after you leave. It’s humbling to exist constantly shedding the moments around us but witnessing the beauty and humanity in life.

Releasing attachments does not prevent grief or suffering but it prepares us to more easily find clarity and peace in the present moment, regardless of our circumstances.

If you are suffering today, dealing with grief or loss, I hope there is room to find yourself back to the power of the present moment, to the abundance of life around us, to the beauty that in moments of devastation, in small moments of change and loss we have the power to start new growth, open new doors, practice stillness and find a home from within.

Sending love,

In Rooms <3