The Myth of Certainty
To hold questions seriously is much more a source of spiritual wisdom than to have quick and easy certitudes. The ego and the mind want to rush to judgment. What the mystics and the true spiritual directors teach is how…
What Kind Of Heaven . . . ?
Sue had been told that tumors had developed in her liver and lungs. She had been in a deep depression for a while, but she finally followed Barb’s advice to call me after various people at her church kept saying…
A Commencement Address
. . . I bet I’m beginning to make some parents nervous – here I am, bragging of being a dropout, and unemployable, and about to make a pitch for you to follow your creative dreams, when what parents want…
The Second Gaze
It has taken me much of my life to begin to get to the second gaze. By nature I have a critical mind and a demanding heart, and I am so impatient. These are both my gifts and my curses,…
The First Gaze
I am just like you. My immediate response to most situations is with reactions of attachment, defensiveness, judgment, control, and analysis. I am better at calculating than contemplating. Let’s admit that we all start there. The False Self seems to…
Indian Wars
Out in the desert where the wind never stops A few simple people try to grow a few crops Trying to maintain a life and a home On land that was theirs before the Romans thought of Rome A few…
Red Brother Red Sister
Went to the museum, red brother Saw your ancient bloom cut, pressed and dried A sign said wasn’t it clever what they used to do But it never did say how they died Hey hey hey Hey hey hey Went…
For The Interim Time
When near the end of day, life has drained Out of light, and it is too soon For the mind of night to have darkened things, No place looks like itself, loss of outline Makes everything look strangely in-between, Unsure…