Category Archives: Daily Life

Richard pointed out this morning that once again, I was cooking amaranth for breakfast. If it weren’t for Richard I’m not sure I would believe that this particular grain has a higher probability of rotation through my Tuesday morning breakfast … Continue reading →

“The Simple Past of Be” I was riding on the Muni tonight when I glanced over at the book of the passenger next to me and saw this heading on the page. Before any meaning even registered into consciousness, I … Continue reading →

My girlfriends and I have been getting together for potluck brunch every month or two for over seven years now, taking turns hosting at each other’s homes. I haven’t hosted at the Zen Center because I don’t have a private … Continue reading →

I was maybe six or seven years old, home by myself or perhaps some of my siblings were around but off in another part of the house, perhaps my mom was working and there was an hour or two when … Continue reading →

Last night I arrived back at the Zen Center in the middle of dinner and dished myself up some tagine while engaging in conversation with a resident who wanted to tell me how much the ginger cabbage and kokuho rice … Continue reading →

This weekend while waiting in the gift shop for my enzyme bath at Osmosis, I spied these nifty little Good Karma candles made by Zensual.*  I’m not normally enthusiastic about candles and gift shops but something about the colors and … Continue reading →

I spent a gorgeous Sunday afternoon driving through the pastoral countryside of Sonoma and Marin Counties.  Every once in awhile it’s nice to open the view and remind oneself that there are other beings we share this planet with and … Continue reading →

Lou Hartman died today at 3:45pm.  He was 96 years old. (These are Lou’s poems from Inquiring Mind, Fall 2008 edition) First Sesshin with Suzuki Roshi What a laugh! The actor serving tea in the zendo Thinks he’s me! Enlightenment … Continue reading →

Tonight was our Full Moon ceremony, which we do every month, renewing our vows, the 16 Bodhisattva precepts of taking refuge and living in harmony with all beings. Once a friend from work who is a casual participant in Zen … Continue reading →

One form of practice in a Zen temple is the practice discussion, a brief one-on-one meeting with a teacher designed to explore the student’s personal practice and give them a direction for spiritual growth.  Here in San Francisco we have … Continue reading →