Category Archives: Buddhism

Vol. 42. August 20, 2023 American singer Tony Bennett passed away last month at age 96. He is remembered as a masterful stylist of American musical standards. He should also be remembered for his pacifistic views. As a soldier in World War II, he saw firsthand the horror of war. He fought. He dug graves.Continue reading “Violence Begets Violence. Peace Begets Peace.”

Vol 41. July 19, 2023 Summer is a lazy time. And there’s no one as lazy as my cat. She sleeps an enviable 16 hours a day. But every morning when I sit down to meditate, without fail, she is at my side. She scratches the chair, yawns, then affectionately rubs her body against myContinue reading “My Cat Reached Enlightenment”

Vol 40. Summer Travel Issue. June 20, 2023 American animator, film producer and entrepreneur, Walt Disney instilled hope in the human heart. He once said, “All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” Disney was both an idealist and a realist. He made his dreams come true. His philosophy:Continue reading “Man Versus Mouse”

Vol 39. May 21, 2023 On May 11, 2023, the US government declared the public health emergency ended. The Scourge of 2020 — the Invisible Terror — that had disrupted lives, decimated dinner tables and stopped the ever-rotating Earth dead in her tracks is officially over.  The punishing pandemic pummeled populations, killing 7 million worldwideContinue reading “Pandemic? What Pandemic?”

Volume 38. April 24, 2023 Like a wolf at the door, tax season bit us. No one was happy, not even the accountants. Most tax-filers ground their teeth, stifled resentments and ponied up the dough. Great minds throughout history put in their two cents worth. Benjamin Franklin was resigned: “In this world nothing is certainContinue reading “Billionaires in Nirvana”

Vol. 37. March 18, 2023 March Madness. St Patrick’s Day. Daylight Savings Time. Robins Returning. The Vernal Equinox. There’s no denying it. Spring has sprung. It’s a compelling time for poets. Alfred, Lord Tennyson warns us from Locksley Hall, “In the Spring, a young man’s fancy turns to thoughts of love.” Jimi Hendrix sings exuberantly:Continue reading “Let the Good Times Roll!”

Vol. 36. February 18, 2023 In the Book of Genesis, God cursed the Snake saying, “On your belly you shall crawl all the days of your life.” To the Woman he said, “In pain you shall bring forth children.” To the Man he said, “By the sweat of your brow you shall eat your bread.Continue reading “Back to the Garden”

Volume 35. January 22, 2023 After the hoopla of Times Square, after the ball drop, champagne, and fireworks, there is the silence. The clean slate. The New Year. Seminal Irish rock band U2 sing about this season in their aptly named song “New Year’s Day.” All is quiet on New Year’s Day. A world inContinue reading “All is Quiet on New Year’s Day”

Volume 34. December 20, 2022 In those immortal words of Buddhist wisdom sung by Christmas crooner Andy Williams: “It’s the holiday season (the holiday season). So whoop-de-do and dickory dock And don’t forget to hang up your sock ‘Cause just exactly at twelve o’clock, He’ll be coming down the chimney, down.(He’ll be coming down the chimney,Continue reading “Have Yourself An Ear Worm Christmas”

Volume 33. November 22, 2022 Thanksgiving is upon us. At this time of year when the leaves have fallen from the trees, and before we tuck in for a long winter’s nap, our minds turn to the simple blessings of life. Good food, secure homes, being happy in our ways. Gratitude is a trait amongContinue reading “Thanksgiving Buddha-style”