My Vipassana practice is changing my understanding of what it means to help people. The injustices of this world and the apathy of the people living in it have always stuck out to me. For over a decade I've tried to figure out how to fight against these injustices and to inspire apathetic people. While …
Author: Ryan Shelton
While my job description is to lead the science department and teach physics at Padua Academy in Wilmington, DE, my calling is to prepare teenagers to lead their communities towards a vibrant and healthy future. This purpose has lead to the creation of Loving Lives Delaware.
Before becoming a teacher, I explored many careers and had many adventures in search of the best way to make a difference in the world. I hiked over 1700 miles, traveled to 5 continents, managed a bakery, started a meditation center, counseled troubled teens, attended Duke, UNC, and Harvard, protected forests as a wildland firefighter, volunteered thousands of hours with Americorps, rafted the Grand Canyon, and SCUBA dived on the Great Barrier Reef.
My next adventure is starting a family with my beautiful wife in our Wilmington home. I'm sure there will be many mistakes along the way, but I hope we're able to create a loving household that's a beacon of support and clarity for others in our community. Thank you for all of your support throughout our journey.
My Blogging Goals
I started this blog to help me process all of the thoughts and emotions I faced while when returning to the real world after spending time at the center. I didn't feel like I was having all of the conversations I needed to properly integrate this practice into my life so I decided to have …
The Vulnerability Of Facing Myself
A reader commented that my posts brought up vulnerability in connection with Vipassana several time and wondered if this wasn't the right practice for me. I've been thinking about this, and I think she's correct that I've made it sound like Vipassana causes vulnerability in me. Why would I do something that makes me feel vulnerable? I've realized that it's not Vipassana that …
Vipassana In A Hostile Environment
There are so many wonderful aspects of this technique, but one that still concerns me is whether it can protect people in a hostile environment. There are certain communities where vulnerability causes you to become a target. Travelers learn to act confidently and blend in as not to draw attention to themselves. People who, "Aren't from …
IQ, EQ, And Intuition
I've been struggling to accept the concept that the path of dhamma is not an intellectual path. Saying so seems to diminish the incredible value of learning how to think. What would our world look like if people weren't making intelligent choices. Could we really just let everything go and "leave it to dhamma" to take …
2 Months Since Leaving The Center
Two months ago I completed 7 months of long-term service at Dhamma Patapa. Everyone was asking me if my time at the center had changed me. I told them that I wouldn't know until I returned to the real world. I took my first course in March of 2010 and I had experienced the difficulties of implementing …
Sex In Society
I think sex is the most confusing subject for young people to get clear direction. Schools work hard to provide academic information about the male and female anatomy, the risks of sexually transmitted diseases, and many are providing information about and resources to obtain contraception. This is a great first step but decisions about sex are rarely …
Strength And Vulnerability
Determination, fearlessness, confidence, convincing, and optimistic are some of the words that come to mind when I reflect on what characterizes a strong leader. I find that my Vipassana practice leads me to be humble, vulnerable, and open. I'm unsure whether my Vipassana practice is helping or hurting me as a leader. It might depend on the audience. One of …
Attraction
I'm both a biologist and a human being and I'm fascinated by what draws people and animals to each other. We're attracted to certain things and repelled by others but why? As a biologist the first question is always how do you attract a mate. It's important that males can demonstrate health and strength because …
Only Wholesome Acts
It's Friday night, I'm home alone, and I'm content. This is a new feeling for me. Just last year I would have felt like I was missing an opportunity to celebrate and have fun. In my sitting this evening a thought came into my head and stuck. "I only want to perform wholesome acts." Wow! …
Living Vipassana 