The perpetual nature of gift giving

    When we take refuge in the Three Treasures, we are acknowledging the supreme value of being a human being, who is awake to all that she has received and continues receiving from the boundless web of life. And what she does with it. What comes along with our gifts?...

Dissatisfactions and confusions as our guides

The more I look into the story of the Buddha’s life the more I appreciate the profound simplicity and depth of his primary teaching of the Middle Way. He grew up surrounded by all the luxuries that his time and exalted worldly position could offer. And yet as a human...

Each moment as a koan

An out-of-season dandelion puff brought to mind how anywhere I am, and everything around me, expresses the dharma. The very form of the puff is an analog of impermanence, interdependence and no-self. This puff functions so beautifully to load the seeds for the next...

In Gratitude

     There are many of you who are instrumental in keeping our Zen center up and running, helping to sustain our practice opportunities. I want to express my gratitude to all of you. In this season that is so challenging (and always!), it’s a good time to acknowledge...

A Strong Forcefield of Metta

As we continue to work our way finally through the national election drama, I find the practice of metta is gaining new significance for me.  Metta, loving kindness, or just plain kindness, is an immediate balm to anxiety and tension. The phrases, “May I be free from...