The Nazi party was established in Germany on this day in 1920. Sets the mind racing. At least it sets this mind racing… I know that one of the cheaper tropes of our time is to liken one’s opponents to Nazis. Looking at clips from Tea Party events and their pictures of the president with Hitler’s mustache says much about both that cheapness and its visceral power… And, I can see the power of thinking of our times and those... Read more

“A Tiger Golfs With Buddha” is an essay by Dr John Tarrant, my principal Zen teacher. Read more

It was a real treat to be able to have a long weekend away. Jan, auntie & me in the Big Apple. Holidays are something that many people don’t get. It requires the confluence of a number of things, some important ones beyond anyone’s actual control. (If you have money and think you “earned” it, you may have worked hard, but nonetheless, you’re fooling yourself. No one deserves the good things, or more correctly everyone does, but only some get... Read more

After stressing for a bit about the cost of seeing three Broadway shows this long weekend, we convinced ourselves this wasn’t going to happen again for a good long time and went for it. Jan had really, really wanted to see Fela!. And we did. The thread of a plot is the musical revolutionary life of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, Nigerian pioneer of the Afrobeat musical form, as well as relentless critic of his country’s corruption and tyranny, with plenty of energy... Read more

I was looking for visuals for my post on the Miracle Worker when I found this… Read more

We saw the new production of Miracle Worker last evening. A lovely show. A lovely story. Brilliantly done. Loved it. Loved it. Like with most all art, author William Gibson takes some liberties with history in service of a larger project. Still, I was sitting through the play next to the research librarian at Perkins School for the Blind (endless prayers of good will for that blessed institution…). Small things, like the ages of the characters are not quite right.... Read more

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The highlight for our Friday in Manhattan was going to see the revival of Hair. Yes, I’m a sucker for this old chestnut. It was the first Broadway musical I ever saw, and for many years the only one. As I’ve mentioned before I saw the road version with my girlfriend in San Francisco in whatever that year was, 68, 69, somewhere in that neighborhood. What caught me then was that it was about us! My friends and I. Although... Read more

Probably on the foolish side, I’m only scheduled to be away from the church three Sundays this church year. Two are for Zen retreats, not what most would consider time “off.” This weekend is the big one. The weather is cooperating. Life is good! ps: I don’t know when New York became “the City.” Weird for a native Californian to not think immediately of that other “the City” when using the term… But, we have been gone from our native... Read more

The modern Hindu sage Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa was born on this day in 1836. Through the British Expats Aldous Huxley, Gerald Heard & Christopher Isherwood all of whom were inspired by the saint, my supposed dichotomies of Western faith/atheism were shattered. While I would eventually land elsewhere, there is no doubt I owe Ramakrishna everything for my launch into the spiritual life. Endless bows! Read more