Abundance of Voices One: This is an odd thing: I listened to the Democratic primary debates, in spite of my better judgment. Twenty imperfect but passionate people spoke, and I thought most of them were more alike than different. A week later, it struck me: twenty people are touring around the United States, giving talks […]

First, on this summer solstice day, a poem from Gary Snyder. “After a Mohawk prayer,” he says. Prayer for the Great Family Gratitude to Mother Earth, sailing through night and day – and to her soil; rich, rare and sweet         in our minds so be it.   Gratitude to Plants, the sun-facing, light-changing […]

Newsletters will be monthly! From now on, that is. Last week was supposed to be the monthly newsletter, but I forgot to tell you, and there is news anyway. So here we go. First, schedules. Zen retreats: Two changes. If you’re thinking of coming to the 5-day retreat at Hokyoji (southern Minnesota, June 12-17) please […]

what do you love? Not as an abstraction or an ideal What do you love enough to take action to defend it? Know it name it own it claim it it is under immediate threat by taking action to defend it, nurture it, grow it you grow into the person you were meant to be […]