Depending on who you talk to, the recent death of Hugo Chavez was either the tragic loss of a heroic defender of the poor or the timely end of a socialist thug. Now, I’m not interested in taking sides on this one. I make no pretense at being any kind of expert on the modern history of Venezuela. No, what fascinates me is the need to cast him as misunderstood hero or brutal villain, when it seems pretty obvious that... Read more
Today, I carpooled to a daylong meeting with several colleagues. As we rode back toward home, we heard weather forecasts calling for several inches of snow tonight and into the morning. Now, you should know that unlike much of the rest of the country, we have had little to no snow in Central and Eastern Pennsylvania this year. My colleagues and I were all wishing for a blizzard or at least enough snow to have a snow day. Yearning for... Read more
Last week I attended an interesting conference called Wisdom 2.0, about the convergence of technology and spirituality. To say it was interesting is an understatement: For this Midwesterner, listening to folks from the tech industry was fascinating, and the collection of spiritual teachers and industry leaders was artful. (You can watch what happened at Wisdom2summit.com.) We heard from the folks who started up or lead massively successful technological companies—Google, Twitter, some new ones I hadn’t heard of—talk about how spirituality,... Read more
“Keep fresh before me the moments of my High Resolve, that in fair weather or in foul, in good times or in tempests, in the days when the darkness and the foe are nameless or familiar, I may not forget that to which my life is committed.” ~ Rev. Dr. Howard Thurman Carnival has passed. Mardi Gras is over for another year. We are now well into Lent. In the coastal south, even faith communities that do not celebrate Lent, the time... Read more
“There is more reason in your body than in your best wisdom.” Frederich Nietzsche Hard to think, perhaps, this old man lives in “subtile body”– looking at my lines, looking at my heft, beer belly & broken teeth, but I am; I do . . . Subtle body where the accidents fall into place because I have seen the sacred pattern of a life botched, yet all the universe gathered to catch me in my drunken fall. Hard to see,... Read more
As the budget sequestration looms, it seems that the government is caught in a stalemate as both sides “stand on principle,” unwilling to compromise on core values. Which would seem to be a good thing. After all, isn’t that what we ask of ourselves and our friends—that we stand up for what we believe in, that we hold fast to what is most dear? The problem is that most of the values that those in the budget non-conversation are clinging... Read more
“We must learn to reawaken and keep ourselves awake. . . .Only that day dawns to which we are awake.” Henry David Thoreau Last June, I posted about paying attention, and I am writing about it again today. Have you heard the sayings that psychotherapists and ministers share what they need to hear and to learn? I know that when I am awake and paying attention life is better. I am more alive. Often, I send my consciousness into the... Read more
The cattails I brought you have burst long ago & sent their fluff seeding wherever it was you threw them. If only I may let go so flagrantly as the cattails, as you; as wind; the past; the seeds. Read more
Some things go undone… See y’all next week! Read more
1. (in the thick) Once an argument could cut like a two-edged sword. But that’s old hat. The headgear now is helmets. And arguments cut like shrapnel, every way. 2. (in the city) I like it that my map talks to me in a gentle voice while I drive. Not like we fallible persons at all. When I lose direction, she walks me back. Recalculates calm as I swear and cringe into another lane to turn around. 3. (in the... Read more
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