- 5 Reasons to Get Cancer
This is my cancer piece. I had surgery soon after it was written, an experience that was funny and painful and seems to have been successful.
The piece was in the Shambhala Best Buddhist Writing collection in 2007.
- What is Zen? Shambhala Sun Interview December 2003
Somebody could ask, “What is Zen?” and you could say, “The apple tree out front" or, “The eyes of the homeless."
- Unicorns Come All By Themselves
Everyone knows happiness is ‘A Good Thing', more desirable than say, vacuum cleaners or eye shadow...
- Return To The World: Politics And The Art Of The Impossible
Politics belongs in the general realm of imperfection, heartless indifference, self-deception, desperate hope,
strategic interest, and congenial affection we call civilization. That's where anyone who is interested in the fate of others hangs out.
- Pity To Waste A Good Crisis
When I had cancer, I thought that it might be inconvenient or frightening, but it turned out to be interesting.
It made me a lot less lazy about being present.
- Count the Stars In The Sky
Over the years, my big question was ‘What are koans for?' I don't know why, but I was the only person I ever knew in my own training
situation who was interested in that question. I'm still interested in it. What do they do, anyway?
- A Memory of Robert Aitken, One of the Pioneers of American Zen (pdf)
He was not the shiny, self-assured, clear creature that Zen masters were advertised to be. He was always feeling
around for the meaning of events, and I found that to be one of his best features.
- Sudden Awakening (pdf)
Awakening can come gradually, almost imperceptibly, or in a sudden, life-altering flash.
But however it happens, what’s important is that awakening is real and possible.
- The Buddha and Suze Orman (pdf)
Tonight I’m watching Suze Orman teaching the first noble truth of Buddhism on CNBC...
- Surprises on the Way (pdf)
Buddhist meditation is something to do, not to believe, so the measure of it is always related
to what is happening to your mind and your life.