A pause to remember… thank you, Mumon… Read more

As many know, Gil Scott-Heron has died. A loss… Read more

I understand the Book of Mu is selling briskly. Well, briskly for a book on a spiritual practice that is both mysterious and arcane to the majority of people, even Zen people, even Zen people who do koans… I feel this was a very important project. That dog and that question have saved many people over the many years. And, I’m so honored to have had a hand in presenting what it means to the Western reader, as well as... Read more

Second chances don’t roll around with much regularity. Not as I’ve experienced life. When the Hakuin collection was displayed in New York, I kept meaning to get down there. And didn’t. Now, we’re going to be in LA at just the right time to take it in. If you’re in that neck of the woods this Summer you might wish to, as well. Eihei Dogen is the cat’s pajamas. But Hakuin Ekaku gave me the path of my heart. If... Read more

I’d just parked my car on Thayer street and got out to walk into the coffee shop. Thayer is Providence’s equivalent of that street in so many college towns lined with various businesses that cater to the college crowd. A lively street with much going on most of the year. Just as I stepped onto the sidewalk, a young man walks past me. He has a shaved head (its been decades since I assumed seeing someone with a shaved head... Read more

Bob Dylan turns seventy today… Read more

Just another example of why I love NPR… For more, go to their website, Clash of Civilizations… Read more

One of the more amazing figures in our American history. Deserves much more attention… Read more

Murray Handweker died on the 14th, but I just learned of it. Read more

I guess its been several days since I felt like making fun of those who really believe the end of the world happens today on a rolling schedule, even allowing for daylight savings time… The last time I had so much fun was over the secular apocalypse at 2000, when I had friends who were sure airplanes were going to drop out of the sky and we’d be eating each other in the smoking ruins of post-computer holocaust… But at... Read more