Tao and Complexity or There is never “One Reason”

We are complex and intricate beings. And when we take the time to examine our whole existence and process, we begin to realize how few answers to what we may consider "problems" exist. What I notice is we seem to want to find various things in the content instead of a clear view of the...

Into the Unknown

Lately I've been seeing that the future is entirely unknown. Anything I may "know" about the future is, at best, a guess, an estimate, or a belief that I can see the future I am falling into. Of course, I can be assured that if I plan to go into the kitchen right now and...

Absence and Zen

I sit in the mornings and have a window in front of me with a view of the neighborhood. During the past few weeks, I have noticed all the Christmas decorations blazing in the early mornings, until December 26, when they all went out. The Holiday of Peace and Love was done for another year....

Minding the Mind

If you want to experience how the "Mind" processes, try hiding something from yourself. Bryan Wagner

Zen of Attention, Meditation, Life

I often speak about the two forms of attention when practicing meditation and the question often comes up concerning ways to tell the difference. I find using the example of driving or reading works well. We have all driven or have been reading and suddenly become aware that our attention was not on driving or...

Tao of Dharma

After sitting yesterday, I experienced one of those unplanned interactions that held a lot of meaning. Three of us had this dharma exchange in the parking lot while freezing our butts off. Hugh, Lisa, and I were discussing the perspectives that we are NOT in control of life's flow and the reality that thoughts are...

Trust Your Process Zen

I am constantly reminded about how amazing we are as humans in the process of living life. During the past year there have been truly impactive events that shifted my perspectives on life. (Sitting in meditation isn't the only way to gain wisdom!) The death of two close friends, the dissolution of two relationships, medical...

Wind and Tao

Walking this morning at dawn I stopped for a second and listened to the wind as it sang in the bare branches of the woods near the house. It offered chills of joy and perhaps something else that's a little harder to place in a container of words. I remembered as a child I had...

Sharing Dharma and Wisdom

Lately I have noticed there are two distinct ways to share wisdom teachings. One: the teaching itself will be the focus of attention, I may use a personal example, but the focus will be directed towards the wisdom itself. Two: I use a wisdom teaching to gain attention for myself, so the focus, despite the...

The Reality of Life

"Be happy for this moment. This moment is your life." - Omar Khayyam Another way of saying that being grateful, for existence and the ability to exist, seems to produce a sense of being equal to living my life as it unfolds. I don't think I've ever been happy for the moment, but I've been...