December, 2024

“Peaceful abiding, here, now.”This is the Buddha’s description of meditation.This, and, “Don’t listen to me!Listen to YOU–and make up your own mindabout what’s what and what is called for!(Or words to that effect)”are for me the only legitimate direct quotesof the Buddha extant today.Though ten billion things are saidthat the Buddha said, these two willContinue reading “December, 2024”

November 30, 2024

There is peaceful abiding as one thus come here, now,forever–and there is constant strivingfor more/better/different/finer.There is meaningfuland there is meaningless.And that’s it.The difference is turning the light around,flipping a switch,seeing what’s what,and doing what is called for,in each situation as it arisesall our life long.Peaceful abidingor constant striving.Where are we here, now?What would it takeforContinue reading “November 30, 2024”

November 28, 2024

It is appalling, ludicrous, ridiculous, absurd and obscene that God would hold everyone forever accountablefor Adam’s and Eve’s disobeying orders.Perhaps it was Nestorius who said,”No one can sin for someone else,and no one can redeem someone else’s sin.”If the writer of the Garden of Eden talehad been wise enough to shape itafter Jesus’ parable ofContinue reading “November 28, 2024”

November 27, 2024

We are carried along by forces quite beyond us,into circumstances we cannot imagine.Our place is to rise to the occasionwithout judgment, agendas, or even preferences.With us one situation is as good as another,providing us with a context within whichwe show our stuff,doing what is called for where, when and howit is called for,using the giftsContinue reading “November 27, 2024”

November 26, 2024

Noise, complexity, trauma, drama,keep things stirred upand produce the heaving wavesand clashing rockson the wine-dark sea.Emptiness, stillness, silencereduce complicationand increase clarity and simplicity.What is the status of your balance and harmony?What are the forces of destabilizationat work in your life?Where to you go for peace, calm, serenity, tranquility?How intentional and deliberate are youabout managing theContinue reading “November 26, 2024”

November 25, 2024

We make our way along the Wayby doing what is called forin each situation as it arises.True to our original nature,our innate virtues(What we do best and enjoy doing most)and our intrinsic intuition,we have all it takes to be who we areas “circumstances beget circumstances,”and we experience the miracleof no plan/no agenda,no striving/no desiringproducing aContinue reading “November 25, 2024”

November 24, 2024

What guides your choices?Directs your actions?Why do you do what you doand not do what you don’t do?What is in charge of you?Boss of you?Telling you what is to be “Yes,”and what is to be “No”?Who–okay, whom–do you live to please?If you say you do,who–okay, whom–would be most pleasedwith how you live?Everyone talks about “freedomContinue reading “November 24, 2024”

November 22, 2024

What do we hope to receive from Christianity/Buddhism?Eternal life?Nirvana?Really?Those two religions have been(And continue to be)sold as ways to guarantee our eternal-everlasting happinessfor the low low priceof believing what we are told to believe.Really?I’m only looking for assistancewith balance and harmony,serenity, tranquility, equanimity,integrity, sincerity, spontaneity,vitality, focus and clarity.I only want to dispense with wanting,and knowContinue reading “November 22, 2024”

November 21, 2024

Native Americans and People of Color have put up with/survivedvicious absurdity for 250 years.They can be our everlasting succorand guidesthrough the wilderness of fear and hatred,boiling and seething,can’t-waiting until it can show uswhat it has in store.But, in truth, there is nocomfort and consolation–and we all get to see what we are made of.”I willContinue reading “November 21, 2024”

November 20, 2024

What forms do your addictions take?I assume we are all addicted to something,given the fact that our life consistsof obstructions and dead ends and barrierson after another for as long as life lasts.My father was addicted to nicotine and alcohol.My mother, too.I’m addicted to looking out the window,writing and producing photographic imagesby the boatload.I alsoContinue reading “November 20, 2024”