Above is Caracas, Venezuela. The shacks on the left are called “ranchos” and are home to over 80% of the population of Caracas. Pretty graphic, eh? Now you might be surprised as I was to learn that the gap between rich and poor is similar in the US, although the poor often live a bit better. For now. Which also means that the super wealthy here are even wealthier. If you’re interested, check out this article by Nicholas Kristoff, “Our... Read more

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Here’s an announcement from San Francisco Zen Center about the big rolling out of Kaz’s translation of Dogen’s Shobogenzo and a livestreaming way to check it out – this Saturday and Sunday, 2-5pm PST. They’re new at this and expect some glitches but it looks like fun. I plan to peek in. Live Video Streaming of Panels and Presentations We’re delighted to be offering, through the web, a live video stream of the Saturday and Sunday afternoon panels and presentations.... Read more

Remember after the 2008 election and all the chatter about how with the demographic shifts and all that the Republican Party was probably dead. Think again! I tend to be clear left of center and so last night was not good news for me. The congressman from my hometown area, Jim Oberstar, got beaten after about a thousand years in the House of Reps. Both Minnesota congressional chambers went Republican. And then all the national news. Dang…. The above cartoon... Read more

Visit Kaz Sensei’s Web Site Here. Here’s an article from the San Francisco Chronicle about Kaz Tanahashi and his translation of the Shobogenzo that’s now available, “50 Years of Work Brings Age-Old Wisdom to West.” Click.  Read more

Here’s an interesting piece about denial and how chickens are killed from the NYTimes: click here. The jist is that some chicken slaughterhouses are starting to gas chickens before hanging them upside down and slitting their throats. The picture above, btw, is one of the nicer shots of birds from a Google Images “chicken slaughter” search. My almost 14-year old son, an avowed carnivore, saw this post just before I published it and said, “Dad, don’t show people that nasty... Read more

I love this tune! Yes, I got distracted again on my little writing retreat but I’m wrapping it up soon anyhow. And I’m quite pleased with how it’s coming together. Anyway, tonight we’ve got Monday night zazen with dokusan and then our discussion of Melissa Blacker’s The Koan “No:” Observations on Wumen’s Commentary.  Tomorrow I get back to working for a living.  Little out of placeLittle out of tuneSo lost in spaceRacin’ the moonClimbin’ the wallsof a hurricaneStill after allI... Read more

I’m in a writing retreat for the next few days but got distracted and found this. If it be your will to let me sing…. These are the Webb Sisters. Read more

While playing around like I like to do with the designated victim being Case 5 from the Gateless Barrier, “Up A Tree,” I found that Dogen has a whole, wild chapter on this koan.  Now I must have known that previously … but old age seems to be creeping up on what’s left of my mind so I found it to be a delightful surprise. The Nishijima and Cross translation is online here  (then click volume 3 of Shobogenzo and... Read more

Here’s a few reflections on dogs and humans that came together during my work-period dog walk today during sesshin.  The first reflection arises from how we let Bodhi into the zendo to hang out during zazen. I notice that humans and dogs make a lot of the same noises pushing air through various passages. For example, that “humpf” sound that wonderfully expresses frustration.  Zen students sometimes make it rather quietly as they sit down for yet another sitting. Bodhi doesn’t... Read more