I will be hosting guided meditations for UM’s “Stress Less” week, sponsored by Peers Reaching Out, this semester from May 5th through the 7th. The meditations will run from 10am-2pm, in one-hour blocks, and I am hoping to find some volunteers to lead some of those meditations. The schedule each day will roughly be: 10-10:10, open time / break while people come and go 10:10, meditation leader begins with a short explanation of meditation basics 10:25, begin guided meditation 10:45,... Read more

This should be of interest for those who follow this blog. Great folks and very interesting topics. Very much worth a visit for those in the Bay area. Buddhism without Borders: Contemporary Developments in Buddhism in the West Institute of Buddhist StudiesBerkeley, CaMarch 19 -21, 2010 Keynote Speaker: Thomas A. Tweed The Institute of Buddhist Studies is pleased to announce the “Buddhism without Borders” conference and seeks papers that offer new, critical, and creative approaches to the study of Buddhism... Read more

After two days at nearly 70 degrees I think it’s actually trying to snow here in Missoula, MT! Busy times here in my little umwelt. I’m 90% moved from my house near the U and in with the most lovely Julie the jeweler. ‘Tis a temporary stay though, as I seek out a still more solitary abode in which to complete my thesis, on which I’m giving myself a very firm 15-month deadline. That and the China trip and presentation... Read more

Double rainbow from the Easter drive home (to Helena) with Julie. Taken on her Nikon D-90 🙂 Yesterday’s meditation began with a taped talk by Joseph Goldstein, actually a reading from one of his books. The thrust of the talk, or at least what I took away from it, was that it is not our dark sides alone that we fear and avoid, but also our light, our nobility and innately awakened nature. Our little meditation group responded with a... Read more

Chang’an (Xi’an) to be exact, July 20-Aug 9. The acceptance letter just arrived from Venerable Dr. Yifa, Director of the Buddhism in China project. To see where Chang’an is, click on this map (it is on the right in the middle): (Image thanks to the Berzin Archive) (Image from Cultural-China) Click here for more on the Woodenfish Project and photos from past years. Read more

Thanks to Chaplain Danny for these two wonderful online movies. The first is a documentary about Fr. Mychal Judge, the “Saint of 9/11.” It’s a beautiful, heart-warming story of a man who truly lived the life of service to humanity to which we all should aspire. The second is a recent lecture by Dr. Gregory Schopen, an amazing scholar of Buddhism who hasn’t been afraid of stirring up some controversy in his views. Read here for some of the back... Read more

But not in that order: Post sunset pink. Jupiter-like closeup.. Zooming out… And out some more… Capturing just a glimpse of Missoula’s big blue sky. Philosophy and a cup of coffee… Mmm mmm good. Read more

What a wonderful week it’s been… It started out filled with stress as I struggled to finish my paper for my Monday noon talk, peaked with minor trepidation as Albert Borgmann (yes the Albert Borgmann) walked in to the crowded room where I gave my talk, and has been eventfully downhill -in a good way- from there. I was quite nervous for my talk, as I usually am when I feel under-prepared, which is most of the time. Since my... Read more

The following is the beginning of a paper I will present in just under 12 hours at U-Montana on “Buddhist Meditation as a Moral Activity.” Am I nervous? Of course. Has it been stressful? Of course. Have I loved it all? Of course! Some of the underlining and italics is just for to help me emphasize key points. I managed to sneak a tiny mention of Kant in there, but nothing more than that in this paper. As always, feedback,... Read more

I was delighted to hear this today on the radio. Stained Glass Artist Lets The Light Through At Last by Justine Kenin I found myself touched by the humility and wonder of this 84 year old man, Rowan LeCompte. He has spent his life creating windows that give many onlookers a sense of awe, and perhaps even a feeling of God. But when asked if he believed in God, he answered that he believes in love and kindness and the... Read more