Buddhism
October 22, 2009
- I was doing some laundry this morning before work when it hit me. However, before I explain that statement let me just say that I am a big admirer of the renowned Buddhist teacher Jack Kornfield, not least because he is the father of Uma Thurman. No wait, that’s Richard Gere. Still, I am a big admirer of Kornfield, author of After the Ecstasy, the Laundry. I never read the book, but I intend to ...
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October 18, 2009
- Tim Lawrence's new book, Hold Onto Your Dreams is a highly readable account of deceased composer Arthur Russell's personal and professional journey through life. From his original search for enlightenment which took him from his hometown of Oskaloosa, Iowa to San Francisco at the height of the 60s counterculture movement to his eventual and final landing in the East Village of New York City this ...
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October 15, 2009
- Book Notes: (1) How to Believe in God and (2) Sinners Welcome (1) How to Believe in God is a book that sees the word God as only a word—a word, nonetheless that expresses universal presence and love extended to all people, believers and non-believers alike. A presence, too, the only presence that knows why things are the way they are. This is a book for the devout of any faith who may ...
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October 15, 2009
- I thought this might happen.Most of what is happening here feels too private to share on this blog.That doesn't just include what's happening to other people, as I thought it would, but also what is happening to me.There are some things I can tell you about.Jodo is a tabby who sat on my lap while we were in the training room. Sharry shamelessly accosts people on the stairs and forces them to ...
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October 14, 2009
- Though the Dalai Lama was snubbed by the Obama administration when the president refused to meet with him, there was an open door policy everywhere else in our nation’s capital – from congressional receptions to Synagogues to schools. One footage in particular is striking: the most famous monk of the 20th century sits on the dais and lectures on wisdom in the modern world while ...
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August 13, 2009
- Having been nurtured in the pieties of post-sixties California, I read my share of full-power or watered-down Buddhist texts, explored yoga, lived in Asia. But it is rare to have found a book that with such amazing clarity speaks to the western consciousness about Buddhism as these two books: TRANSFORM YOUR LIFE and 8 STEPS TO HAPPINESS. Forgive the treacly titles -- 8 Steps to Happiness sounds ...
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July 18, 2009
- I've always suspected that the religions of the world all boil down to the basic premise of the Golden Rule. Now I finally have proof. Well, not proof exactly. Or even close to proof. But the authors of Plato and a Platypus Walk into a Bar...Understanding Philosophy Through Jokes had the discipline (or perhaps royalty advance) that I lacked to find writings supporting this notion from ...
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July 12, 2009
- As my mother lay dying, regret often filled the room. The "what ifs" and "wish I hads" emanated from a lifetime of a brilliant, beautiful woman who felt her potential was never realised. Thwarted at times by the men in her life - father refusing to allow her to be a doctor, husband not allowing her to learn to drive for many years, insisting she cook dinner even as she ...
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July 6, 2009
- Buddhism is a great tradition for me to have found, because it speaks so much of letting go.I'm not the world's greatest letting go-er. In fact you could call me a teensy bit controlling. I also love the way Buddhists talk about everything being 'an opportunity to practice'. It's another way to look at all the messy stuff - the things that piss us off, the ways in which we feel we're failing... ...
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June 6, 2009
- i walked into a bookstore & signed three copies of my new book last week in so doing i'd like to now offer 2 books to all in the red room who wish to partake for free, (please don't refuse), thanks to interesting, unforseen turns of events. here's the story ——————————— this week's release from penguin is a completely updated, thoroughly revised third edition of my ...
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