The inferior man conquers others, the superior man conquers himself. Dhammapada Most people are disciplined by outside forces and obligations such as job assignments, deadlines and appointments. It’s easier to be disciplined when your boss tells you what to do … Continue reading →
The other day I found a lump in my left testicle. Big enough to almost feel like a third nut. As usual I was unable to get to a doctor right away. Such things always occur on weekends or when … Continue reading →
Bamboo is admired (and feared) for it’s tenacity. It’s steel-like roots can even penetrate concrete. In fierce winds it simply bends rather than breaking — a model of perseverance under pressure. It is actually a giant, primitive grass, a holdover … Continue reading →
I’m going to continue writing occasional pieces for my memoir of the sixties — even at the risk of sounding like one of those old guys that are sometimes encountered, especially in bars, who go on at length reminiscing about … Continue reading →
“Just to be alive is enough.” Suzuki Roshi I’ve always loved walking. I walked to school as a kid and I walk to the bank or market whenever possible, or … Continue reading →
“…what is inherent in you is presently active and presently functioning, and need not be sought after, need not be put in order, need not be practiced or proven. All that is required is to trust in it once and … Continue reading →
“All beings are evolved from food” Bhagavadgita In the late sixties, while on an extended retreat in the foothills of the Sierras, I experimented with fasting. I was inspired, in part, by the fact that I didn’t have … Continue reading →
I was initially unaware of the spiritual significance of the sweat bath. I just liked the remarkable feeling of rejuvenation and freshness produced by the right combination of heat, air and moisture. Perhaps this propensity was encoded in my genes by … Continue reading →
Not long ago I found a small brown bird perched on the step at the back of my house. Just sitting there. It didn’t fly away, even when I reached down and gently picked it up. Small and remarkably round, the bird … Continue reading →