mars 2013
Francis
I'm not a Catholic, nor a Christian for that matter, nor an ardent follower of the Vatican. Among my favorite "pope" moments recently was the terrific Nanni Moretti film "Habeus Papum" starring Michel Piccoli as [...]
Another load of laundry
Something came up yesterday that I just knew was the next entry here. Involved with some other preoccupation at the time, I had no choice but to put off the noting of that brilliant moment. [...]
Filling the silence
During a pause while the dentist was doing work in my mouth today, he was telling me something (I can't now recall what). I asked him why he was telling me this. He replied, to [...]
février 2013
»This Dharma I have reached… »
As I consider where I am at this moment (in light of where I have been since setting out on this Zen path 20 years ago), I came upon this beautiful account from the historic [...]
janvier 2013
Obama’s beginner’s mind moment
A quick note since it's been awhile: For me, one of the finest moments (among many!) of the past week was when Barack Obama, after taking his official oath of office for his second term [...]
Open skies
Having been traveling back and forth across an ocean and continents in past weeks, I've had a good opportunity to expand my direct experience of the world beyond my usual parameters. As ever, all that [...]
2013 wishes as big as the world
With these few modest words, I offer each of you my wishes as big as the world for a bountiful coming year, moment to moment, wherever you go, whatever you do. Ringing in the new [...]
décembre 2012
Where’s the freedom in the land of the free?
A family member in America tells me that the U.S. media is in a frenzy over the country's latest shooting massacre, in which 20 young children were riddled with dozens and dozens of bullets from [...]
Everyone, everywhere in the world
Days are growing shorter and colder here as December deepens. I find myself doing the same, slowing with the slowing down, turning with the turning to the deep that lies inward. A few days ago [...]
Sunday
Second day of a new month, a week after my last post, night falling in Paris: So it goes. I want to officially thank all those who sent me birthday greetings yesterday. You made my [...]
novembre 2012
Retreat in the Heart of Life, Day IV
No time until now to post here a Day IV "vehicle" (or perhaps "container" is a better word?) for today's flow of comments. At first, that seems like a problem: I'm not keeping up with [...]
Retreat in the Heart of Life, Day III
Quick notes from the top of the morning... Occupied by a sore leg, mental agitation, differences of opinion, strife in Gaza and in little corners of myself, and then suddenly word that a baby has [...]
Retreat in the Heart of Life, Day II
With the first flickers of light in my eyes this morning, I begin my meditation by acknowledging all those with whom I share this retreat week. There are all those who have sent email confirming [...]
Retreat in the Heart of Life
"A Retreat in the Heart of Life" (Retraite au Coeur de la Vie) Date: Nov. 19-24 Place: Wherever you are Wherever you are, life is there! How could Zen practice be anywhere else? Take a [...]
Obama, Act II
It sometimes seems like such a mad, mad world: economics, politics, athletics, entertainment, disease, birth, death, natural disaster, cruelty, war, love, distraction, waste, abundance... My own life has all of that in varying doses, shifting [...]
octobre 2012
Come as you are
Retreating to Portugal once again. Three days in Coimbra... far from the hurricane, yet right in the middle of it, the hurricane of every moment. Join us, wherever you are, whenever you can. Come as [...]
My new book: « Giacomettrics »
I'm fabulously delighted to announce the publication of my new collection, Giacomettrics, just out from corrupt press. If you're in Paris, please come help me launch it on Nov. 6 (see details below). If [...]
Late afternoon, touched with love
Late, late afternoon here in the city. It's that "moment" of day's light sliding into night's dark. Even as I'm writing that, as the words take form, I'm aware of day/night as convenient labels for [...]
What’s a bodhisattva, anyway?
In response to a question raised in a reader's comment on the previous entry, I'd like to offer an explanation of what I mean by the word "bodhisattva." Note that these words reflect my experience, [...]
Get what you want or get what you need?
I stumbled upon this comment today, and am throwing it out there to see what others might have to say. It touches on so many issues that many of us find ourselves confronting daily - [...]
Alexis says:
Alexis says:
Alexis says: