In Quest of a Single Best Introduction to Zen & It’s Practices

Last updated on: February 26, 2019 at 2:23 pm By James Ford

There are lots of bibliographies for studying Zen. For that I’m grateful. However, finding that one perfect book introducing Zen and its practices remains illusive. It’s my belief we’re desperately in need of a current best book introducing Zen. Don’t get me wrong. There’ve been any number of introductions written over the years. I wrote one myself. Other solid introductions include John Daido Loori’s Eight Gates of Zen and Philip Kapleau’s Three Pillars of Zen the first serious introduction to Zen as... Read more

A Feast for Frederick Douglass

Last updated on: February 20, 2019 at 4:41 pm By James Ford

Once again those lovely Episcopalians have come through when it counts. On this day in their liturgical calendar, the 20th of February, they celebrate the life and work of Frederick Douglass as a feast for a saint. While I tend to prefer to acknowledge special and holy people on their birthdays the Christian liturgical calendar in all its variations tends to celebrate their lives on the anniversary of their deaths, the time they go to their glory.... Read more

UU Church in Anaheim, California, Announces New Minister

Last updated on: February 18, 2019 at 4:37 pm By James Ford

Dear Members of the Unitarian Universalist Church in Anaheim: I’m happy to announce the UUCA Board of Trustees on Sunday, February 17, 2019 ratified a contractual agreement with Reverend James Ishmael Ford to serve as the new part-time “consulting minister” with the UUCA as of April 1, 2019! He will lead his first worship service with us on Sunday, April 7, 2019. His regular preaching schedule will be the 1st and 3rd Sundays of the month. ... Read more

Thinking of the White Rose

Last updated on: February 18, 2019 at 3:52 pm By James Ford

It was today in 1943 when the Nazis began to arrest the members of the White Rose. This small group of German students and their professor had been posting leaflets denouncing the Nazi regime. They had succeeded in printing and posting six before they were arrested. A few days after the arrests, Sophie and Hans Scholland and Christoph Probst were convicted of treason and hours after that beheaded. The rest of their band soon followed them to the guillotine.... Read more

Announcing An Intensive Zen Meditation Retreat with Zen Teacher James Myoun Ford

Last updated on: February 16, 2019 at 6:52 pm By James Ford

Sesshin An Intensive Zen Meditation Retreat Opening Doors to the Mysteries of the Heart Led by James Myoun Ford, Roshi Assisted by Janine Seitetsu Larsen, Senior Dharma Teacher. Jan Seiryu Seymour-Ford, Senior Dharma teacher, and others… When: Thursday, May 23 through Sunday, May 26 Where: Camp Huston Conference Center, 14725 Ley Road, Gold Bar WA 98251 You Will: Arrive at 4 PM Thursday and stay through noon on Sunday (part-time or day-only attendance is also possible) Spend most of each day in silence and meditation Engage Dharma talks and... Read more

The Buddha’s Last Words

Last updated on: February 16, 2019 at 4:01 pm By James Ford

“Make of yourself a light” said the Buddha, before he died. I think of this every morning as the east begins to tear off its many clouds of darkness, to send up the first signal-a white fan streaked with pink and violet, even green. An old man, he lay down between two sala trees, and he might have said anything, knowing it was his final hour. The light burns upward, it thickens and settles over the fields. Around... Read more

And a Blessed Valentine’s Day to You

Last updated on: February 14, 2019 at 4:51 pm By James Ford

It is possible you may have noticed that today is Valentine’s Day. It is well known that this festival is largely the creation of a conspiracy amongst the greeting card association, the national confectioners association, and the national alliance of floral associations. I’m pretty sure we have a solid paper trail on this one, including hotel bills and photographs of smoke filled rooms. Now, this holiday does have some connection to a Christian saint of... Read more

A Zen Priest Reflects on the Origin of Religion

Last updated on: February 10, 2019 at 3:11 pm By James Ford

The Origin of Religion A Sermon Delivered at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Fullerton on the 10th February, 2019 James Ishmael Ford A couple of years ago I was in Connecticut to co-lead a Zen retreat. As the retreat ended one of my co-leaders, Mary Gates, who is both a fully authorized Zen teacher and an Episcopal priest excused herself. Mary explained she had to say mass for the small congregation she served as vicar. Being... Read more

Charge to the Congregation – for the Ordination of Rayna Houdyshell Hamre

Last updated on: February 9, 2019 at 10:59 am By James Ford

Charge to the Congregation by the Reverend James Ishmael Ford at the Ordination of Rayna Houdyshell Hamre to the Unitarian Universalist Ministry by the congregations of the Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church, & the Unitarian Universalist Church in Anaheim 9 February, 2019 at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Long Beach Long Beach, California My part in this service is to speak to you, the congregation, the members of the churches who gathered here to ordain Rayna Houdyshell Hamre... Read more

A Zen Priest’s Five Pointers for Getting Over Yourself

Last updated on: February 8, 2019 at 2:25 pm By James Ford

I’ve shared these points before. But, they seem worth returning to every now and again. A little Zen perspective on living a spiritual life here in the West. First, it counsels getting over various things that are not actually helpful. Then it suggests some ways to see the world and ourselves that maybe has some resonances with the way things actually are. Here you go. 1) God isn’t a person. Get over it. There’s no need to project your image... Read more

Who were the first man and woman according to Genesis?