Zen Wisdom for Your Everyday Life

There is so  much suffering going on today and we grab at all kinds of medicines to feel better. Some medicines give us temporary comfort, others relieve symptoms for a long while. And yet, we seldom…

When Dogen, a great Zen Master of old, returned home after years of study and practice he was asked what he brought with him to share? His famous reply was, "I've come with nothing but empty hands." …

Although we think we our lives are solid and will go on the same way forever, a beautiful Zen poem reminds us that we are all travelers, passing through the changing seasons of our lives.  Often it's…

We all long for close, happy, fulfilling relationships and look for them everywhere we go.  There are many skills we acquire about how to treat another, communicate and hold onto the love we've found…

Most of us think we are alone in a world of strangers. We hide from these strangers in many ways, keeping our guard up around us. This gives the illusion that we are safe and protected in a place whe…

As summer ends and the holiday season closes, a call comes to each of us. "Linger With Me, One More day."  

Before we return to our business, (busyness), become absorbed in schedules, routines, plans …

Most of us feel trapped by having to go through the same activities again and again. The routines of life can seem stifling, and we long for change, adventure and excitement. However, the heart of ze…

This is a season of Rebirth, Renewal and Return.  When we become too trapped in distraction, distortion and confusion, there is a road back to our original wisdom and sanity. The holidays this year a…

We hate to make mistakes and will do anything not to. Constantly trying to correct ourselves and the world we live in, there is no end to it. Once one mistake has been corrected another one seems to …

Most of our life is about avoiding  all kinds of storms we hear are coming. Bad news is everywhere, and in a moment conditions change and we fear we will be assaulted by uncontrollable storms without…

,As T.S. Eliot reminds us, "Human Beings Cannot Bear Very much Reality." Most of us do all we can to avoid reality as it seems harsh and cruel. Instead, we live in dreams, hopes and assorted delusion…

Most of us think that Zen practice, like life itself is complicated and difficult.  Nothing can be further from the truth. Like the essence of life and happiness, it is incredibly simple, direct and …

Fundamentally we are all sane, clear, happy, loving. We see clearly what's in front of our eyes. However, as life goes forward the storms of our mad minds produce all kind of confusion. We're accoste…

We all want our days to be special and do all kinds of things to have that happen. We plan adventures, meet with friends, plan wonderful dinners. We want something to look forward to, so that we're n…

Believe it or not, there are simple steps to sanity, which will stop the chaos within. So often we find ourselves twirling around like a top, searching for stability in the middle of the spin. Many f…

""Language issues forth and yet not a word is said."

We often feel separate from one another, longing to be seen and heard. There seems to be so many barriers to connection and we rarely feel understo…

THIS IS PART TWO, OF THE GREAT CONVERSATION... BROADCAST AT THE SAME TIME AS PART 1. 

"Language issues forth and yet not a word is said."

We often feel separate from one another, longing to be seen and…

Usually we think we have many chances to do something, say something or have a new experience. If we miss our opportunity today, tomorrow will always come. This poignant, powerful Zen saying is a rem…

Most of us live our lives walking along preset paths. We  follow our plans and expectations and do all we can to  make things work out. When things go  our way, we call the day good. However, Zen pra…

As the great Zen teaching goes, "When there are no unnecessary thoughts in your mind, everyday is a Good day."  This is teaching us that basically thoughts cannot be depended upon, they are unnecessa…