One of the leaders of the folk rock scene that provided much of the background of my young adulthood, Joni Mitchell was born on this day in 1943. Rolling Stone called her one of the greatest songwriters ever. They could be right. Happy Birthday, Joni! And thanks for the music… Read more

One of my favorite bloggers, Danny Fisher, just wrote how “Over at Barbara’s Buddhism Blog, author Barbara O’Brien notes that the first and only two Buddhists in Congress–Rep. Mazie Hirono (D-HI) and Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA)–won re-election yesterday.” Both are Democrats. Both stand within the Mahayana expression of Buddhism. Representative Hirono belongs to a branch of the Pure Land tradition and Representative Johnson belongs to a branch of the Lotus Sutra tradition. If, in two years, we can elect a... Read more

thank you, Glenda! Read more

Once again we’re blessed with a child of the old sod… thank you, Anamchara, for yr pointer to this celebration of our new Irish president… Read more

Joy! And I hope our American people celebrate this historic moment, savor the words “President-elect Barack Obama.” God, that’s sweet… And, of course, in this life, it is a rare moment when sorrow doesn’t slip in and sit hard close to joy. And like an exhalation follows an inhalation, a sobering thought needs to follow for those of our republic who exult in Barack Obama’s election victory. The battle for civil rights is not over. Not for black Americans. And... Read more

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Well, the election is under way… And if Dixville Notch is any indicator, Barack Obama will be our next president. This is a fascinating time, an astonishing time; something I never thought would happen in my lifetime. It certainly doesn’t mean, as I keep hearing from certain talking heads and others, that the issue of race isn’t still a cancer within our body politic. But, it is an amazing thing, nonetheless… Let’s say Barack Obama is our next president. He will... Read more

It is with great sadness that we announce that our grandmother, Madelyn Dunham, has died peacefully after a battle with cancer. She was the cornerstone of our family, and a woman of extraordinary accomplishment, strength, and humility. She was the person who encouraged and allowed us to take chances. She was proud of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and left this world with the knowledge that her impact on all of us was meaningful and enduring. Our debt to her is... Read more

This evening our Benevolent Street Zendo kicks off with a sit and a Dharma talk. We’ll introduce the liturgy next week… It’s all very exciting. BSZ is the ninth sitting group started within the embrace of Boundless Way Zen. Six of the groups are in Massachusetts, one in Maine, one in Connecticut and now one in Rhode Island. My old friend and occasional co-conspirator on the Zen way, Sevan Ross, describes the practice of his community in Chicago as offering... Read more

DAYS OF THE DEAD An All Hallows Reflection Cathy Seggel& James Ishmael Ford Readings by Peacebang 2 November 2008First Unitarian ChurchProvidence, Rhode Island First Reading As a pastor, you spend a lot of time passing around the chewing gum in the parking lot with the Grim Reaper, having that “meeting after the meeting” that all church folk are familiar with. I have actually had dreams where I am dancing with him, waltzing beautifully in a large, silent ballroom and feeling... Read more