I am part of an online group where one of the assignments is a podcast episode Seeing White, Episode 8: Skulls and Skin. This podcast explores the use of scientific facts to support racist ideas. We see too many examples of the distorted use of “facts” to support narrow and harmful perspectives, to “prove” that …
I start a CPE Residency tomorrow. Upon reviewing my “Theology of Pastoral Care” paper from my 2015 CPE Internship, I wanted to share this passage that echos some of Thich Nhat Hanh’s view of “No Mud, No Lotus.” In one tradition from which I draw much, Buddhist psychology views the aspects of human character and …
Twenty nine years ago today, I became a father of a wonderful daughter. Thirty nine years ago today, I was finishing up my second day at U.S. Air Force Basic Training. Fast forward, my son is now four years old, the same age I was when Bob Dylan released The Times They Are a-Changin’. Times …
I do not exactly know what the title of this post means, but this thought occurred to me while I was studying the ideas of Spinoza tonight. Spinoza wrote of essences and modes and more complications that probably lose much in translation and post-modern framing of such issues. Spinoza was on the right track, but went wrong when he decided that there is nothing in creation worthy of awe. Anyway…
In the processes of conflict transformation, obstacles and periods with no evident progress are opportunities to reassess the situation. When nothing seems to be happening, that is the time when the real work of transformation happens, when we can do that internal work. That is why Brick walls are wake up calls…
I have yet to learn the secret of people who are able to blog on a regular basis. Could it be that they just have to much time on their hands? (we all get 24 hours each day)… Could it be that they can put their thoughts into words very fast? (yes, most of them). …
I have a Packrat pod sitting in the driveway of my new home. The folks who named this company as they did took a big leap of faith that people would either embrace their inner packrat or be in complete denial of the connection between their material collecting habits and the behavior of certain small, …
The attachment you had yesterday has been released and so is no longer available to control your life. Many other attachments are still there for you to release. More time on the cushion would be beneficial in releasing those attachments. (note to (no)self)
One of the first words we ever learn in this life is “no.” It takes most of the rest of our lives to know when to say it!
A few years ago, while living in Macon, I participated in a memorial service, on sacred Native American ground, with a Wiccan Priestess named Queen Myrtle, a friend whose chosen Hindu name is Sulata, and an adolescent who had not yet settled on any convenient labels. Late one evening, with a wink and a nod …
A Wiccan, a Hindu, and a Buddhist sneak into a park… Read More »