So, there I was the other day at the Starbucks in Kansas City making small talk while waiting on my latte (skim, extra hot, thanks for asking). Why was I there, I was asked. I said, I was visiting to give a workshop and to preach at one of the local Unitarian Universalist churches. I was told, oh, I do paintings based upon the scriptures. The conversation didn’t go well from there. She was at the very least a pretty... Read more

As Gabby walked into the well, Democrat Debbie Wasserman Schultz holding one hand & Republican Jeff Flake holding the other, I found myself thinking about the Republic and how sad it is that it takes such a horrific event as led to this moment with such fierce political opponents standing together, and legitimately standing together, in this case both as Gabby’s friends. As I understand it, really her friends… Also, of course, it says something of who we’ve lost to... Read more

A Letter to a Twentieth Century Minister from a Twenty-First Century Minister Delivered at the One Hundred & Seventh Gathering of the Fraters of the Wayside Inn, January 2012 Carolyn Patierno Minister All Soul’s Unitarian Universalist Congregation New London, CT January 2012 Dear Friend, Across time I write to you and yet; I imagine you sitting with me in the Old Kitchen in the glow of candlelight in the still of winter. There is so much to share. I’ll start... Read more

Yesterday’s workshop went well, I thought. Seventy-five or so came out to hear and talk a little about the meeting of Unitarian Universalism and Zen Buddhism. This morning I preached an adaptation of my sermon from earlier this year on growing souls. There were two services. The second was good, maybe even very good, but I gotta say, that first service was on fire. You find yourself in Kansas City, you should check out the Shawnee Mission UU Church! Lovely,... Read more

So, here I am at a coffee shop in the Plaza district, at least I think it’s the Plaza district of Kansas City. Very upscale. ‘Tis where the good folk from Shawnee Mission Unitarian Universalist Church parked me as I spend the weekend as their “distinguished” guest, unaware that as long as I have decent coffee and web access, I’m happy, and they could’ve put me up much cheaper. Today I do my little dog & pony show, explaining Zen... Read more

The other day we had one of two communion services we’ll be sharing at the First Unitarian Church this year. The other will be on Maundy Thursday. The service is a tad complicated as our liberal congregations have moved a long way from our Christian origins, and while there has never been a year in our near three hundred year history when we’ve not celebrated the rite, these days it is a small band that attends. Even bringing in a... Read more

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    THE DISOBEDIENCE SUTRA Following the Thread of the Wise Heart James Ishmael Ford 15 January 2012 First Unitarian Church Providence, Rhode Island   Text “Thoreau was a great writer, philosopher, poet, and withal a most practical man, that is, he taught nothing he was not prepared to practice in himself. … He went to jail for the sake of his principles and suffering humanity. His essay has, therefore, been sanctified by suffering. Moreover, it is written for all... Read more

In the Harada Yasutani curriculum once one has broken open into the great matter through our minute investigation into the question of life and death aided by the pursuit of one of the “dharmakaya,” “breakthrough,” or “first koan,” pick your term, there is a short course called “Miscellaneous Koan.” In our school these were once called “Miscellaneous Koans Following Kensho,” but that usage has fallen away. Either redundant or over the top, or, probably, a little of both. Whatever we... Read more