Guishan, Yangshan, and the intimate way. Zen teacher James Ishmael Ford reflections on case 37 of the Book of Equanimity. With thanks to Mary Gates & Stephen Slottow… Read more

    The lovely and good folk of the Episcopal church celebrate the life of William Tyndale on this day, the 6th of October. Normally such feast days are observed on the anniversary of the death of the person to be honored. In this case it is an approximation, as we’re only sure he died early in the month, in 1536. Having briefly enjoyed the favor of King Henry VIII for writing a justification for monarchs being the head of... Read more

    Most high, all powerful, all good Lord! All praise is yours, all glory, all honor, and all blessing. To you, alone, Most High, do they belong. No mortal lips are worthy to pronounce your name. Be praised, my Lord, through all your creatures, especially through my lord Brother Sun, who brings the day; and you give light through him. And he is beautiful and radiant in all his splendor! Of you, Most High, he bears the likeness. Be... Read more

Translating God Glenn Taylor Webb Understanding the great mystery of existence from birth to death is important to some people, including me. Many paths to understanding existence lead more deeply into the unknowable than others.  In terms of religion, faith in God inspires believers on all paths to accept whatever happens as God’s Will.  What that might be can be anything.  But some people insist on a translation.  For them, the mind of God must be put in human terms,... Read more

    Recently I had a conversation with a friend about truth-telling. We agreed how too often “the truth” becomes an excuse for bludgeoning someone rather than any sort of actually trying to help. Somewhere in the back of my mind I recalled reading advice on this subject, how telling the truth wasn’t quite enough. There was something about kindness and necessity being important, as well. I decided to look it up… My friend the Dharma bum who goes by... Read more

      We have seen Yitzhak Perlman Who walks the stage with braces on both legs, On two crutches. He takes his seat, unhinges the clasps of his legs, Tucking one leg back, extending the other, Laying down his crutches, placing the violin under his chin. On one occasion one of his violin strings broke. The audience grew silent but the violinist didn’t leave the stage. He signaled the maestro, and the orchestra began its part. The violinist played... Read more

    As it happens yesterday, the 10th of September was, among other things, the 511th anniversary of the Lesser Judgement Day. When I saw this it reminded me of several events in my life. The Great Recession, for one. Not the Great Depression, but hard. In 1989 Jan & I experienced the Loma Prieta up front and ugly. It is recalled as the Pretty Big One. Not that I’m looking to participate in a full on Judgment Day, Great... Read more

    FOLLOWING THE SCENTED GRASSES A Meditation on Beginnings and Endings and What Happens in Between James Ishmael Ford Here we are at an ending. And of course, as such things are, it’s also a beginning. As to the ending. I thank you for welcoming me into your community, and with that welcoming our Zen sangha to use the church. I love the particular manifestation of liberal and rational religion that is Unitarian Universalism. And you all are the... Read more

A PILGRIM’S PROGRESS  Zen, Maps of the Spiritual Life, Miscellaneous Traps, and, of course, the Fat Guy James Ishmael Ford   People take up Zen for any number of reasons. But those who stay find they’re on a spiritual quest. Words like enlightenment and awakening become the holy grail of that quest. Images shift. And we can feel we’re crossing deserts in quest of an oasis with life giving waters, only to find a shimmering mirage on the horizon that... Read more

  Well, it’s official. The webpage for the First Unitarian Church of Los Angeles announces to the world: “While the First Unitarian Church of Los Angeles is a lay led congregation, we value the wisdom of elders, and have engaged the Reverend James Ishmael Ford and Dr. Ignacio Castuera as our consulting ministers. They bring with them knowledge and experience in several different religious traditions. They each take the pulpit once a month and assist the smooth flow of church... Read more