One Bright Pearl

My life is not theoretical. It is real. In this life, at all times, all things are possible. Only I can obstruct myself. I have met many students of Zen over the years, and one thing that seems to be common, is the lack of belief in their own innate wisdom. As if what the [...]

There was a time when I was doing the ‘done in a city of broken dreams filled with the sound of coming down. So I kinda like this song in a “just like me” way.  Just like me, you don’t wish to suffer, or be the cause of another’s suffering. Just like me, you wish [...]

From a travellers perspective, new directions are all I see.
It has been awhile since I posted here. Everything keeps changin’. Slowing me down, speeding time up. Discombobulated, maybe. Yet, it is a good day today.
I woke up at home… yes, at home. Not living on the road, at least for now. Kris and I moved [...]

I have always loved the poems of Han Shan. One of my favorite is number 26 -

Since I came to Cold Mountain
how many thousand years have passed?
Accepting my fate I fled to the woods,
to dwell and gaze in freedom.
No one visits the cliffs
forever hidden by clouds.
Soft grass serves as a mattress,
my quilt is the dark [...]

Let people think whatever they may think. Let them even call you crazy. If you spend your whole life practicing in accordance with the Buddha-Way and refrain from what goes against the buddha-dharma, you needn’t worry about what people think of you. Tonsei, retreat from the world, means being free from the sentiments of worldly [...]

Moment by moment, we are taken away during our practice of zazen. Once taken away, we awaken to our true vitality. This is the entry way into the Buddha Dharma. This is zazens great function in the House of Eihei.
Zazen reveals Buddha Natures pervasive preaching that has been missed by our discriminating consciousness. Though missed, [...]

There are times when I find that I am taken over by what Eckhart Tolle refers to as the ‘Pain Body’. It is during the onset, or attack, of deeply seated emotional pain that I am most vulnerable to slipping into unawareness. These memories, dormant energies trapped beneath my self concious, in the body proper, [...]

Off the beam is exactly that. Thank earth for practice and intention… or is it intention and practice? Who knows?
Just when all seemed lost, a space opened up, and through that gap the universe spoke. Everything fell away, and the calming radiant voice of Beate Stolte showed the way back home. The beam is never [...]

Each passing day I mourn the loss of contact with my children. I mourn the loss of friendship with Kirstin.  I am unable to comprehend the fear that would drive one to denying their children an afternoon with their father. I can only conclude that Kirstin is suffering terribly. If you, Kirstin, should read this, [...]

Like a complete unknown, that’s how it feels. It doesn’t deter or sway me. Being homeless is not that big a deal when you have a direction to go, a deep intention carrying your load.
At this time I live in a tent on the property of Sanshin Zen Community. I have use of the kitchen [...]