While reading Lao-tzu on this beautiful morning in Chicago, two passages about virtue (goodness) caught my eye and begged to be shared ;) PRACTICING VIRTUE To practice virtue is to selflessly offer assistance to others, giving without limitation one’s time, abilities, and possessions in service, whenever and wherever needed, without prejudice concerning the identity of those – Read More –
2014
October 19, 2014
VIRTUE
October 11, 2014
CHANGE
After a fun, full day in San Francisco, I’m up at 2am on a Saturday thinking about change. While it is true that things change, I’m inspired to say that we experience pain because we fail to realize that our expectations change. We anticipate future outcomes (i.e. illusions) based on our expectations. These desired future outcomes are simply what we – Read More –
September 28, 2014
SHOWING UP AND LETTING GO
While mentoring a high school student recently, I told her that life is about showing up and letting go. I explained to her that you have to continue to show up for new opportunities in life…but that you can only have room for new opportunities if you let go of past disappointments. She was a math – Read More –
September 24, 2014
REDEMPTION
A talented friend of mine (WISE100Doors!) performed this song last night and I was struck again by the majestic lyrics of this classic Bob Marley tune, “Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery; None but ourselves can free our minds.” We are, so often, slaves to our minds. We don’t question our thoughts…and this belief in the – Read More –
September 15, 2014
REFLECTIONS
When the voice is gentle, so is the echo. When the figure stands upright, the shadow is straight. – Guishan I said to a friend recently that my kind actions were simply a reflection of their kind actions. I did not believe they were deserving of special thanks, but the kind return of love perhaps – Read More –
September 15, 2014
CAUGHT UP IN FORMS
Height, weight, race, gender, hair color, eye color, hair length, clothes, address….these are all classified or observed on a simple American driver’s license. Our society is accustomed to these categorizations…and we typically take quick inventory of people that we meet to determine their classifications. And sometimes to determine if they “belong” or not. But do any – Read More –
September 15, 2014
GOLDEN RACE
Many years ago, a man came up to me at a meditation center and asked me my race. I answered, but then he immediately countered and said, “No no…you are part of the Golden race! It is the new race that is a beautiful blend of all races. It is our wonderful future.” At the time, – Read More –
September 15, 2014
SEEK WHAT THEY SOUGHT
BUDDHA was not a BUDDHIST. JESUS was not a CHRISTIAN. MUHAMMAD was not a MUSLIM. THEY were TEACHERS who taught LOVE. LOVE was their RELIGION. One of my favorite quotes is by BASHO who said, “Do not follow in the footsteps of the wise. Seek what they sought.” But there is comfort in numbers. It seems – Read More –