For those interested in early English speaking mystics and their texts, Carl McColman has just posted an interesting article about Julian of Norwich and The Cloud of Unknowing at his blog. I find Julian compelling, and I’m very taken with the Cloud. Perhaps you might be compelled or taken, as well. Worth checking out… Read more

Timothy Leary was born on this day in 1920… An important figure in an important but passing part of my life. I didn’t linger long in the psychedelic embrace, but I gave it a real try before moving on to other things, things that have proven to my satisfaction to have more staying power for the spiritual quest. That said, that period in which Dr Leary was a central player produced some interesting art & music which were a significant... Read more

To Whom it May Concern: While Mr Williams is not my favorite among the many voices I’ve heard over the years, I must protest his summary firing following his appearance on Fox’s O’Reilly Factor. I think an honest expression of anxiety in the face of today’s situation can be very appropriate if, as in this case, as I understand it from reading several news stories, the speaker uses it as an opportunity to encourage people to move beyond the knee... Read more

This evening, the 21st of October, at 7pm in the auditorium of the First Unitarian Church in Providence, I’ll be holding forth, a little on the why, but mostly on the how of Zen meditation. It will be the first of two parts. The second will follow in two weeks when I’ll gas on why, a little, and more on how to engage koans. If you’re in the neighborhood the events are free and open to the public. And speaking... Read more

 Read more

 Read more

Lucy Stone died on this day in 1893. In the Christian liturgical churches a person’s death is considered a feast. After all they’ve moved on to their reward. As someone more focused on life here and now I tend to prefer to mark such people’s birthdays. But, there is value in marking a death, as well. Particularly when it is someone like Stone whose life was about action. For those of us who remember, her life is a call for... Read more

The UU World online has a very nice article on Buddhist fiction. A Guide to Buddhist Fiction: A guide to contemporary and classic Buddhist fiction. By Kimberly French Spring 2010 2.15.10 In my search for “Buddhist fiction,” I asked a wide sampling of American Buddhists—friends, teachers, UU ministers, writers, bloggers, even publishers—what they’d recommend, what they’d been reading. Each, somewhat apologetically, came up with only a few titles. Nowhere did I find a bibliography, or a bookshelf labeled “Buddhist fiction”... Read more

Sadly, few seem able to think loudly enough. And, as Dr Blackmore points out, there are other problems, as well… Read more

BY THE WATERS OF BABYLON A Meditation on Our Heart’s Longing A Sermon James Ishmael Ford 17 October 2010 First Unitarian Church Providence, Rhode Island Text By the waters of Babylon, there we sat down, and we wept when we remembered Zion. In the midst of it all we hung our harps upon the willows. They that carried us away captive required of us a song. They wanted us to sing of joy. “Sing to us,” they demanded, “one of... Read more