snow covered peaks

My daughter visited her grandmother in New Mexico this last week. She made the Frida painting for her grandmother, who adores the image of Frida. I was impressed and in awe of her talent, which I have never possessed. It made me think about how experiencing being a parent, and witnessing your child develop into…

Tuesday is my teachers birthday. She has made herself a fancy new Rakusu and she seems pleased with it. Yesterday, I participated in a half-day zazenkai at Dharma Rain with a dozen or so other folks. It was very pleasant and nice. The first part was structured with 45 minutes of sitting, kinhin, and another…

I signed up for the Cultivating the Way retreat at Empty Field Zendo in Eugene, OR. I am excited about it because I have never been there and I have never done a retreat that long before. And my teacher and dharma sibling will be there as well! I have to get a tent/sleeping bag,…

This appeared as a blog post from Empty Field Zendo by Debra Seido. Last week we talked about the Buddhist precepts, the ethical guidelines of how to live in harmony with one another and this great earth, as being a whole and complete practice unto themselves. In my tradition, the precepts are given and received…

The following is by the group White Awake. I found it a notable a useful resources. Have you ever wondered just what it would take to end white supremacy? You are showing up as an ally in anti-racist struggle, you are doing your part to dismantle your socialization as a white person … but is…

I visited family in New Mexico this week. I was feeling disconnected from my practice. Work was stressful and my wife and I were not getting along. Her parents recently bought a house outside Rio Rancho (about 40 minutes outside Albuquerque), a new, large beautiful house for their retirement. We spent time with her sister,…

I met a good friend at Irving Park in north Portland today for a March for Trans Lives. This was largely organized in response to the emerging laws limiting health care access for trans children. It was an unusually warm and sunny day, and most folks were in a good mood. This protest contrasted with…

I am scheduled to have my first COVID vaccination next Friday – the J & J one dose. My birthday week is this week. Thursday night we heard a boom outside, but thought it was thunder. It turned out to be this. Friday night I co lead the Radical Dharma discussion group. I can feel…

I’ve been working through the compelling book by Chenxing Han titled Be the Refuge – understanding the many ways Asian Buddhists have been excluded from the community of Western (that is White convert) Buddhists, who largely ignore the long rooted traditions and practices of Asian Buddhist communities, many who pre-date the white sanghas by many…