Snow clings to sides of treesblown by worldly windsof last night’s winter storm In warm morning sunlightthuds of ice fall like glaciers calvingpocking the snow below Limbs let go of what weighs them downto lift toward the sun and blossom “Zen says everything preaches the dharma…”– Nancy Mujo Baker, dharma teacher and philosophy professor For … More Release
Coronavirus pandemic times require that we notice our hands with intent keeping hands away from the face The challenge now is what to do if you have an itch on your nose? or a drop of tear in your eye? Times now challenge us to just let the itch sit for a while notice the … More Facing the Itch
A Beast, she is, my Cat with claws and teeth as sharp as Daggers, yet she Eats her dish of Fancy Feast with Gentle Haute attention I let this beast Jump on my lap to Keep me company but Let me not forget her claws or My pants will turn to ribbons Napping is Of … More A Beast She Is
Caribbean blue peeks through clouds heavy with snow wintry mix to come Zen haiku moment paused work to click a photo Joy notices Now Photo from personal collection of back yard morning sky
All the way to heaven is heaven itself. – Zen saying Ah, the journey to heaven has no end no beginning either for that matter It’s the journey itself that makes an imprint with each step Heaven is felt as feet sink in damp grass It borders the path with willows and wildflowers You’ll find … More Journey to Heaven
Seeking freedom from duality – right or wrong, abundance or lack, blossoms or weeds, embrace or farewell I contemplate non-thinking Somewhere in my spirit I feel I understand this paradox beyond language beyond thought Existing within calm confusion May confusion dawn as wisdom. (paraphrased from the Four Dharmas of Gampopa) Image by Pixabay
Silent Zen music surrounds Uncertainty’s noise with quiet comfort During the noise of this US election I am grateful to have had the chance to get away and see one of the many beautiful northern coasts of Michigan. I wrote this haiku before I left and never had the chance to post with all the … More Silent Music Haiku
When you find yourself in the endless task of filling the well with snow remember it’s not a useless chore but an opportunity to participate in life. I think the palliative for fear and anger is to stand firmly and wakefully in the moment. It’s like the old Zen master saying, “Come with me. Let’s … More Filling the Well with Snow
Lap sitter Time ignorer Pillow hogger Box explorer Morning waker Laptop lodger Vole gifter Purr massager Zen teacher Whiskered sweetie Starzer Babe, Our winsome kitty A kenning is a two-word metaphor associated mostly with Nordic poetry. An example would be “whale road” as a metaphor for “sea”. Sunspot Seeker describes one of my cats using kennings as … More Sunspot Seeker (Kennings Poem)
I have a busy heart loving others sometimes aching, sometimes breaking sometimes bursting with pleasure except for one quiet chamber curled into a soft circle like a sleeping, purring kitten safe from my desires an alcove beyond ego where I can be content with contentment.
Wind Rush 