This is a collection of observations and reflections that have been helpful in my own life, and I offer them to you, hoping they will be helpful to you in your life. We have to look for what we need, without knowing what we are looking for, and being open to help from the unlikeliestContinue reading “Introduction: Loose Change”
Category Archives: Loose Change
The Good and the Void
How good is the good we call good? Whose good is served by the good we call good? These questions call into question the glib and easy way we think of The Good and do it. We cannot rush to answer these questions. And thinking is futile. Reason and logic mean nothing here. We areContinue reading “The Good and the Void”
The Meaning of Life
If anyone ever asks you, “What is the meaning of life?” Ask them, “What is the meaning of your question?” If they say, “What do you mean?” Answer: “Are you asking ‘What is the meaning of life?’ like you might ask, ‘What is the meaning of a rock?’ If they say, “Yes!” Ask them, “AreContinue reading “The Meaning of Life”
Grace, Karma, Karma, Grace
There is Grace and there is Karma. Karma is Grace kicking butt. When Jesus said, “Father, Forgive them, they know not what they do,” he was being Grace in action, compassionate and kind–on a cross: the inevitability of goodness crushed beneath the weight of power lusting for power, and, also, the power of unrelenting GraceContinue reading “Grace, Karma, Karma, Grace”
We Have To Be Right About What Matters Most
We have to know what matters most and be right about it–and serve it with our life, in each situation as it arises, all our life long. That is, as they say, “all there is to it.” It is like this: Whatever you love, cherish, adore, revere, honor, prize, esteem, treasure, value, acclaim…you know, likeContinue reading “We Have To Be Right About What Matters Most”
The Limits of Religion
Every institutional religious expression from Shaman rituals to high church–whether it is church or masque, temple or synagogue, or anything beyond or between–dirges and celebrations, everything said and done are aligned with what the people expect to hear and see. The limits of religion are the expectations of the people and the tolerance of theContinue reading “The Limits of Religion”
The Structure of Spiritual Reality
Jesus is an ink blot, and God is an optical illusion. So is the Tao—an ink blot, and an optical illusion. So is the Buddha. What we see depends upon how we look. Now you see it, now you don’t. Now it’s like this, now it’s like that. Sometimes it’s this way, and sometimes it’sContinue reading “The Structure of Spiritual Reality”
Your Totem Animal
If you were an animal, what particular animal would you be? If nothing comes immediately to mind, wait for it to come when you call for it. Bring the animal clearly into focus in your mind’s eye. Consider this to be your Totem Animal. For the remainder of this exercise, allow yourself to become theContinue reading “Your Totem Animal”
A Philosophy of Health
What goes into being healthy? That is as rhetorical as a question can be. But, it sets up what is to follow. A healthy lifestyle is more than eating well and exercising. It includes how we set limits, draw lines and establish boundaries—and bear the pain of living within them in conjunction withContinue reading “A Philosophy of Health”
Grounded, Centered, Focused, Awake, Aware, Alive
There are four things doubled into eight things: Tao Dharma Kairos Grace Virtue Vitality Energy Spirit These eight things produce: Harmony Balance Stability Enabling us to be: Grounded Centered Focused Awake Aware Alive All ofContinue reading “Grounded, Centered, Focused, Awake, Aware, Alive”