Three methods by which we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; And third, by experience, which is bitterest. ——Confucious All historical and personal writings are epitaphs, symbolic memorials to times that are dead or never existed in the first place. Such Read more
“Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.” ― C.G. Jung Guns, gold, greed, gonads, and girls. . . . how much is enough, American male? In the 1950’s and 1960’s, America’s economy was booming, and our country also grew into Read more
We visited one of the places on earth where there is a true litmus test for one’s humanity, Hiroshima. A person who visits here and does not suffer with the Japanese people is already up to their neck in hell, and they are too dead to even know it. We Read more
Religions exist to provide a template for its adherents to find their “higher power”. Far too many people despair of finding it, and end up accepting the husks discarded from other people’s minimal understandings of God, Truth, Buddha, Jesus, or whatever spiritual light seems to beckon to them. There is Read more
We made it to the top of the Mt. Misen, on Miyajima island across from Hiroshima, where a legendary Japanese monk, Kobo Daishe, of long, long ago found enlightenment. We have found our own unique versions of the same. The trip down was a challenge, taking nearly 2 hours and Read more
We spent a couple hours at the Zen Master’s museum today. In high school, Akiko studied Suzuki, as well as one of his disciples, Nishida. Akiko did not become conscious of Suzuki’s implications and teachings until later in life. I would have loved to study with Suzuki, and engage in Read more
A little “secret” about each gate to a shrine, is that the guardian creatures always are in pairs, one with mouth open (alpha, or ah) and mouth closed (omega, or ohm). In the sacred silence, there is the internal humm of the energy of the universe, which busy minds just Read more
“Roll out the barrel, we’ll have a barrel of fun, roll out the sake, we got the blues on the run . . .” We are back in Tokyo for this one. One final “shriner’s tour”, and there was enough donated French wine and Japanese sake stored on the two Read more
These photographs are from a Tokyo inner city meditative garden. I purposely placed the beauty of nature against the background of Japan’s finest building technology and engineering. Our technology will always be with us, yet, so too must our appreciation for the infinite gifts of Nature, that Mother Earth provides Read more
The following writing is about my perspective on aspects of the spiritual disease within American consciousness. It not just about Christianity, though I will write at length about aspects of present day political hijacking of the faith. I come from a Christian background. I have studied and practiced aspects of Read more
Edit This has not been edited, but is published so that I can access it from another platform Marty and Me Over the years, I have become deeply disturbed by the developments within our shared world, within my individual consciousness, and the points of connection between self and other, through Read more
Atomic weapons don’t kill people, people kill people. Guns don’t kill people, people kill people. These are equivalent arguments, only differing by the degree of devastation that their use creates. As a world civilization, we try to regulate our atomic weapons, yet we let other weapons of mass destruction run Read more
(excerpt from my book) If it’s painful for you to hear my story, it’s OK. That’s part of the process because my story includes pain, so don’t stop listening because you are uncomfortable. If you would just move past your discomfort you might learn something about empathy and compassion and Read more
Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? — 1 Corinthians 3:16 Now the natural man doesn’t receive the things of God’s Spirit, for they are foolishness to him, and he can’t know them, because they are spiritually discerned—1 Corinthians 2:14 Prolific Read more
Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? — 1 Corinthians 3:16 Now the natural man doesn’t receive the things of God’s Spirit, for they are foolishness to him, and he can’t know them, because they are spiritually discerned—1 Corinthians 2:14 Prolific Read more
Fools find no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing their opinion. — Proverbs 18:2 (CEB) One is never afraid of the unknown; one is afraid of the known coming to an end.” ― Krishnamurti Who would want to wake up, to become more “consciously aware”? What happens when an Read more
A human being may have had a perfect upbringing, yet that fact does not have ultimate significance in the evolution towards good mental health and well-being as an adult. Avoiding a childhood characterized by physical, emotional, and/or sexual abuse is certainly a desirable and necessary foundation for strong, healthy children, Read more
Make no mistake about it. The real, immediate threat to national security is global warming, and the oil industry, and nations supporting the continued overuse of oil, coal, and natural gas. The border wall is a “Trumped up deal”, designed to confuse and obfuscate the issues, and its primary intention Read more
Resolutions are the music playing in the background while I go about the business of living my life fully, with global awareness, spirituality, integrity, and good physical health. Resolution Number 10 I commit to running a 10K race (6.2 miles) this year. I commit to running the race for fun Read more