Along with multitudes of others, I grieve the recent death and celebrate the life of Thich Nhat Hanh. In his honor and remembrance, Shambala Publications shared a long passage of his on dying — excerpted from his book You are Here: Discovering the Magic of the Present Moment. There are any number of striking parts….
On Discerning Aspirations
This past week, working on an Oren Jay Sofer exercise, I’ve been focusing on my big aspirations. Over the course of several days, after a few minutes of sitting quietly and considering where I tend to feel connected to inspiring possibilities, I’ve been asking myself, “What’s most important to me? What is my aspiration in […]
Do Not Squander Your Life
Attending an introductory session of the New York Zen Center for Contemplative Care, I was deeply moved by an evening verse they shared at the end. Though I practice Zen, it’s not a verse I’d heard before. It’s widely attributed to Dōgen Zenji, though I couldn’t find the source. Here are two versions (presumably translations) […]
My Composter
My better half, Alan, has just been named the Tennessee Environmental Council’s Composter of the Season! Thanks to Alan, we’ve been composting for over two decades. It began when our girls were young and the household was running at breakneck speed — two full-time jobs, two different schools, ballet lessons, church committee meetings, tai kwon […]
Bobby Berk on a “Zen Home”
When she comes home, she needs to be able to relax and become Zen….. It’s like medicine for your soul. Minimizing the chaos and clutter in your home allows you to minimize the chaos and clutter in your mind. Bobby Berk, Queer Eye “Showdown at the Broken Spoke,” 12/31/2021 I adore Bobby. While I think […]
Be the Custodian of Your Awareness
“Be the custodian of your awareness. Care for it well. Don’t let others dictate where your awareness goes. Don’t let advertisement, don’t let politicians, don’t let the messages of society somehow become the default of what you focus on, what you pay attention to, and what you think about…. And be very careful that your attention goes to things that feed and develop that which is best in you, that which is wholesome and beneficial, that which is good for you.”
Pomodoro Creativity in the New Year
I’ve made two resolutions for this new year of 2002. One is quite private, but the other I yearn to share. I vow to nourish the creativity that drove the creation of this site.
Ways to Joy: Letting Go of Self Without Self-Sacrifice
Letting go of the small self is key to joy. Of course that means being there for others — but does it mean “service”? The obvious response to this is yes, but for those of us who slip too easily into letting others walk all over us, perhaps not. Instead, here are some other, safer avenues that come to mind.
Metta Attributed to HHDL
September a year ago, a dear Dharma sister opened an anti-racism meeting with the following metta meditation. May all beings everywhere, plagued by sufferings of body and mind, obtain an ocean of happiness and joy. May no living creature suffer, commit evil, or be weighed down by oppression. May the frightened cease to be afraid, […]
Turning Our Lives Towards Kindness Can Be Done
“Turning our lives in the direction of kindness can be done… It can only bring benefit and happiness. I can do it. You can do it.” Longtime Buddhist teacher, Sharon Salzberg, says the above shortly after quoting a passage from the Buddha’s teachings I’d never heard before.