Kathryn Dawn Lang was born on this day, the 2nd of November, in 1961. Probably she’s better known to us as k.d. lang. An award winning vocalist, said to have the range of mezzo-soprano, she is also a Buddhist, and did one of my favorite covers of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah. I appreciate the excuse to share that song today. Hard times, as you may have noticed. It seems to me people sometimes misunderstand the song, thinking its about... Read more

    Out near where my mother in law lives there’s a church “All Saint’s Lutheran.” They also sport a directional sign for parking. It reads “This way for All Saints.” And appended under that, “And sinners, too…” It never fails to make me smile. And. Today is the feast of all saints. It the Western tradition it follows All Hallows eve and precedes the feast for All Souls. I think of each of these moments, and the various categories... Read more

    This morning I was listening to Tom Wardle, one of our Empty Moon Zen dharma teachers give the talk at our Saturday morning program. I was struck by several things. One was the clarity of his message, the review of what our practices are, what they are not, and how they help us to meet the moment. And, well, certainly timely words. This particular moment is three days from one of the more monumental national elections in our... Read more

  Abigail Adams died on this day, the 28th of October, 1818. In the Christian calendar remarkable people are often recalled on the anniversary of their death with a feast. I am slightly more inclined to recall people on their birthdays, that moment with so much that could happen waiting, pregnant in time. But there’s a lot to be said to mark out the end point, when all has been said and done. And with Abigail, we have a lot... Read more

    This is a turbulent moment in the history of our Republic, those of us who are American. And a troubling moment for all who watch from the outside. Interesting times, as the curse goes. And. The good folk at Wikipedia set today, the 27th of October in 312 as the moment when Constantine, later called the Great, purported to have a vision of a cross in the sky and heard the words “With this sign, conquer.” I’ve commented... Read more

HOW ARE WE FREE? Mo Weinhardt Empty Moon Zen   I’ve been thinking a lot about time, and how I experience time — particularly throughout this crazy year of 2020, but really throughout my entire life. And even though every person who has ever lived encounters it uniquely, our wildly fluctuating experience of time is a common denominator between all of us. I’ve been thinking about time in part because of the deep storage bins of family photos I’ve been... Read more

      A Meditation on What My Grandmother Taught Me First Unitarian Church of Los Angeles 18 November, 2020 James Ishmael Ford My father was a will-o’-the-wisp with more than a passing affection for the drink. In his life he never held steady employment. As a consequence, we were poor, sometimes desperately poor. And we moved a lot. Usually avoiding some trouble he’d fallen into. My small not exactly “joke” was that I was an adult before I knew... Read more

    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