Reflection

Updates

Published on Jan 6th, 2020 in News, Reflection, Stump The Monk

I have updated my scheduled events… At least the ones I know about now. I am making a commitment to keep this updated in the new year in a better way. I am also going to try and update this website in general. I am creating a list of “wishes” and then I can hopefully […]

Offerings

Published on Aug 28th, 2019 in Dharma Teaching, News, Reflection

I just returned from a week long visit with All Beings Zen Sangha in Washington DC. Last month I was with the Austin Zen Center for a week as well. Yesterday, as I was preparing to leave DC, I started to reflect a bit on “offerings”. Of course, we often think financial support when we […]

Embodiment Practice

Published on May 11th, 2019 in Dharma Teaching, Reflection

A Moral Revival

Published on Apr 9th, 2019 in Dharma Teaching, News, Reflection

As a queer guy who recalls the days when the idea of “morality” was used by the religious right against queer folks starting with Jerry Falwell’s “Moral Majority”. This ownership of the ideas of morality by the religious right continues to this day. At least it use to be so. Thanks to Dr. William Barber […]

Loving Kindness Meditation

Published on Jan 20th, 2019 in Dharma Teaching, Reflection

Loving Kindness Meditation   This is what should be accomplished by the one who is wise, Who seeks the good, and has obtained peace.   Let one be strenuous, upright, and sincere, Without pride, easily contented, and joyous. Let one not be submerged by the things of the world. Let one not take upon oneself […]

Blessing in the Chaos

Published on Dec 11th, 2018 in Dharma Teaching, Reflection

BLESSING IN THE CHAOS To all that is chaotic in you, let there come silence. Let there be a calming of the clamoring, a stilling of the voices that have laid their claim on you, that have made their home in you, that go with you even to the holy places but will not let […]

This One Time at Radical Dharma Camp

Published on Jun 2nd, 2018 in Dharma Teaching, News, Reflection

I have been speaking and teaching for years about the practice of Radical Dharma.  Not simply as a book, but as a guide to practice and life that brings forth the truth of oppression, power, privilege, and unconscious bias. It also offers a way to liberation and love that in my experience is deep, wide […]

Happy Birthday To Me

Published on Apr 3rd, 2018 in Dharma Teaching, Reflection

Today is my birthday.  In ancient times Zen monks would mark this day by writing a “death poem”.  A death poem is one that tends to offer a reflection on death that is often coupled with a meaningful observation on life.  Given my own history, I think I have a different view.  I have now […]

The cost of whiteness?

Published on Mar 15th, 2018 in Dharma Teaching, Reflection

If you have come here to help me, you are wasting your time. But if you have come because your liberation is bound up with mine, then let us work together.  – Aboriginal activists group, Queensland, 1970s I believe that my liberation as a disabled, queer, poor person is directly tied to the liberation of […]

A Question

Published on Feb 23rd, 2018 in Dharma Teaching, Reflection

The other day I found myself in discussion with a group of smart folks in which a dialogue developed around “speaking up” and particularly around repeatedly bringing something up.  This brought up for me, yet again, an ongoing question that I often notice come up, particularly, when I am in conflict with other folks I […]