A koan is a paradoxical statement or question used in Zen Buddhism to confound logical thinking and facilitate enlightenment. For example, what is the sound of one hand clapping? Our brains like to identify, categorize, explain, and evaluate. When they are not able to do this, they get agitated and start scanning more anxiously for …
Yesterday was a day of fortuitous synchronicity. A friend and I had planned to meet at a lovely spot in Portland known as The Grotto to walk the labyrinth there. The Grotto is an outdoor Catholic shrine, with beautiful gardens and stone labyrinth nestled under large pines. I find this place peaceful to my soul …
Open my eyes to the beauty that surrounds me that I may walk through this day with the kind of awareness that calls forth grateful living. ~Macrina Wiederkehr I’ve been using this quote recently to start my day. I like the idea of waking up with a blessing, an expression of gratitude for a precious …
… continued from last post The second image that came to me in connection to living in trust was Peter walking across the water to Jesus. The disciples were in a boat during a storm and saw Jesus walking towards them on the water. Peter wanted to try it out so Jesus called Peter to …
We meditate, we pray, we read spiritual literature, we set intentions, we attend retreats, we sit at the feet of teachers, we chant mantras, we aspire, and yet …. A few months ago, I engaged in a period of self reflection to explore what was blocking my way. I thought the problem was desire. Then …
Darkness overtakes the light Inviting entry into mystery Gathering before the time of stillness Turning inward after youth Releasing breath by breath What waits is yet obscured It waits in quiet To carry us gently into new beginnings
I’ve mentioned the technique I used for years of writing with my non-dominant left hand to respond to prayers or questions I addressed to the Universe or God or whatever name you prefer. I found that my left hand accessed a source of wisdom in some mysterious way that I can’t explain. I don’t think …
There are no words in OnenessWords create twoWhen I speakI speak to GodWho else is there? An elegant journal was gifted to me by a friend who didn’t know that I no longer kept a journal, that indeed, all my journals spanning decades had been offered to the fire in a great conflagration of liberation. …
Behold, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert. ~Isaiah 43:18 I love this verse because God seems so excited about doing these new things. It reminds me of a child delighted with herself for …
This is it, the last chapter of the Tao Te Ching. I began this series on the 81 chapters of this ancient text almost five years ago. Wow, that is hard for me to believe. The intention for the series was to share some reflections on each chapter based on my decades long love of …
Sitting by the fire In the dark early morn Watching out the window As shadows emerge from blackness Shadows becoming trees As light seeps into the forest The sun will be here later Now is the time of in between The liminal space of possibility The secret taste of sweet unknown
It is done All efforts have failed “Effort” will inevitably fall short In our quest to contain the infinite
Summer is the season of pure yang energy. Its element is fire. Its organ is the heart. Yang energy is active, hot, rising, powerful. When someone is wildly successful, driving forward, dominating the competition, unstoppable, we might say, “Wow, she’s on fire!” Our western culture highly values yang energy. Idle hands do the devil’s work, …
Arising in darkness As summer’s light fades Entering the in between Where mystery beckons “Come”
You think you know yourself until things start happening, until you lose the insulation of normality. ~Robert Wilson The photo above shows a label on the side of a jigsaw puzzle box. I was immediately intrigued. “Specification colors …
I cannot tellWhat I now seeI have not wordsIt matters notIt matters only thatI live the seeing
The words are spoken in silenceHeard only in the heartDo not doubt what they revealMore real than any heard in mindTrust the truth of what is known beyond knowingAnd do not be misled by thoughtThat seeks to hold illusionBe thou thus ignited With what has always burnedDeep Deep
Understanding that we do not know is wisdomBelieving that we know the unknowable is sufferingFirst year law students often arrive expecting that they are going to be told all the answers to legal questions. After a few weeks of hearing professors say, “That depends on …,” they begin to suspect that the professors know the …
Darkness darkness, be my pillow Take my head and let me sleepIn the coolness of your shadowIn the silence of your dreamDarkness darkness, hide my yearningFor the things that cannot beKeep my mind from constant turning Towards the things I cannot see ~Stephen Stills Today is the first day of winter, the season we associate with …
Like other chapters which address principles of governance, this chapter applies just as well, and perhaps with more relevance, to how we govern ourselves. In ancient times rulers who followed TaoDid not teach people to be cleverBut rather encouraged people to follow their true natureGoverning by manipulation brought ruinBut governing in alignment with Tao brought …
