“life and death are of supreme importance. time swiftly passes by and opportunity is lost. each of us should strive to awaken. Awaken. take heed, do not squander your life.” Evening chant during Zen retreat thanks, Adam & Barry! Read more

“I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. I did not wish to live what was not life, living is so dear; nor did I wish to practice resignation, unless it was quite necessary. I wanted to live deep and suck out all the... Read more

Boundless Way Zen October Sesshin October 4 – October 7, 2012 “To Touch the Heart-Mind” Teachers for this retreat: Josh Munen Bartok, Sensei is the resident teacher at the Greater Boston Zen Center, a Soto Zen priest, and Dharma successor to James Myoun Ford Roshi. He is a senior editor at Wisdom Publications. Melissa Myozen Blacker, Roshi is the Abbott of Boundless Way Zen, a Soto Zen priest and Dharma successor to James Myoun Ford Roshi. She was a director... Read more

According to Wikipedia, on this day in 1969 “at a zebra crossing in London, photographer Iain Macmillan takes the photo that becomes the cover of the Beatles album Abbey Road, one of the most famous album covers in recording history.” Not the version from the album, but… Read more

A wonderful, hard seven days. We sat, shared jukai with five, sat, ordained a priest, sat, did litugy, sat, did interviews, sat, ate, sat, worked, sat, slept, and sat… Ironically, no photos of zazen. But, here are a few from moments throughout our time together… (click on the last picture for the full view…) Read more

I’m embarrassed to admit it, but this is just about my favorite week of the year. Once again, Jan & I pack up our zafus and head out to the Worcester temple for sesshin, leaving auntie in charge of the cats, birds & fish. (God help ’em…) Looking forward to some serious practice with some old friends and new. If you haven’t been to the temple, here is a nice view of the grounds with a comment from one of... Read more

A lovely, very, very British opening for the Olympics… Loved the Queen’s acting debut. And never a miss to see Mr Bean. And a pause. With all the difficulties that perennially haunt the Olympics, the politics, the costs and difficulties for the host country and city, the slights, the botched opportunities, the list goes on – with all of that, nonetheless, a celebration of the human spirit. Youth. Striving. Courage. And throughout dreams of possibility. A good thing… Read more

Book Review James Ishmael Ford’s If You’re Lucky Your Heart Will Break: Field Notes from a Zen Life By Catherine Senghas This book “had” me already at the title. Perhaps you have heard the oft-quoted story wherein a Zen master holds up a glass and says that he sees this glass as already broken, and thus enjoys it incredibly and appreciates its preciousness all the more. For many this story helps fend off the tendency to put precious things away,... Read more

Keith Richards once said of Mick Jagger that “He’s a nice bunch of guys.” Today is all of the various Micks birthday! And, I wish them many more to come… Read more

The subject tonight is Love And for tomorrow night as well, As a matter of fact I know of no better topic For us to discuss Until we all Die! Hafiz (translated by Daniel Ladinsky) Read more