Recently, while I was in line for my coffee at a Starbucks in Chicago, I was offered the opportunity to observe in wonderment the creation being fashioned for the lady in line ahead of me. I do admit that when I heard her order something called a ” caramel frappucino venti”, it did get my attention – so I decided to watch.… Continue reading The Meaning Is Just The Same
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It’s Just Like This
Recently I’ve been thinking about the word “surrender” and what it means. I think it has been given a bad rap, and is greatly misunderstood, especially in our Western culture. I’d like to share where I’m at on this right now, and would really welcome your feedback. When we hear this word, our minds most often go, I think,… Continue reading It’s Just Like This
What…ever
What…ever” Saying “What…ever…” is not letting go. There is anger in “whatever”. There is aversion there, hence grasping. No freedom, no relief …no “letting go”. Regarding my periodic suffering from feelings of anger, fear, and despair, brought on by what we are doing to our planet (to ourselves), I know that I must move from “whatever”… Continue reading What…ever
When Hatred With His Package Comes…
In front of the treadmills (and other implements of torture) at the local gym where I work out every day (OK, tell the truth Michael…almost every day), there are three large monitors tuned to the three major cable news channels (you know who they are). It is from here that I am offered my daily… Continue reading When Hatred With His Package Comes…
Compost
I came across this journal entry which I wrote a while back at Green Gulch – an organic farm which is one of the three San Francisco Zen Center venues. I thought I’d like to share it with you because it portrays (in a really tiny way) the opportunities we are offered all the time… Continue reading Compost
A NO BRAINER
Went for a walk in the Muir Woods National Monument last week. Those old growth redwood trees, many of which have been around for 2000 years, never let me down. My visits there are always sooo uplifting – humbling too. This time though, I “got” the humbling part. We humans would probably agree that (by at least two important… Continue reading A NO BRAINER
God’s Smile?
One of my fellow volunteers on the Thursday crew at Martin’s (the soup kitchen) is an Alzheimer’s patient. To protect his privacy, I’ll call him Eric. Eric has been coming in with his caregiver for well over a year now. He serves bread to our guests. He loves it. I’m pretty sure that his Thursday gig is a really,… Continue reading God’s Smile?
Who Can Be Your Teacher? Your Coach? You’d Be Surprised!!
Some time ago, while biking along a brook in Sausalito, I was privileged to observe a large blue heron not even 10 yards away, in the process of looking for his lunch. I decided to stop and watch her. Witnessing him moving through the water in slow motion stealth, I was treated to an incredible… Continue reading Who Can Be Your Teacher? Your Coach? You’d Be Surprised!!
I Thought I Was Just Having Tea, But I Was Really Saving My Life
I’ve been thinking about my last post – about how we can look back on one event, or action of courage or integrity in our life and see how that one act can change everything. This memory popped into my head: Back in my Montreal days, I was listening to an interview on CBC radio… Continue reading I Thought I Was Just Having Tea, But I Was Really Saving My Life
When I Do Good….
A few nights ago, I watched a PBS special about the life, trials, and tribulations of the late Dalton Trumbo – author and Hollywood screenwriter in the post WWII years – the time of a particularly shameful episode in the history of this country known as the “blacklist.” It was riveting – and heart breaking.… Continue reading When I Do Good….