Monday, January 19, 2009

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Smiled



He smiled so much
his mouth became a
resting place for
cold and/or frightened
birds and bees —

Saturday, January 17, 2009

Friday, January 16, 2009

In and Out



I tried 2 watch my abd-
omen move in and out
while not trying to alter
my breathing. It was like
Heisenberg's uncertainty
principle.

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Old Friend



Went to C art 2day
and bumped into
2 old friends (art &
an old colleague from
the 70s).

M. Di Suvero

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Ardurous Lives



husband & wife, each
told of their unique*
path through life.
Both had suffered much.

* and arduous

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

Frozen



He sat so still he
wasn't sure if he'd
ever be able 2 move
again.

Monday, January 12, 2009

Dentist for Hire



I had much better
luck in St. Louis at the
dentist who said "every-
thing looks good." Maybe
in the Austin Yellow Pag-
es I can find a more
positive dentist.

old fillings

cracks

imperfect

Sunday, January 11, 2009

A Blade of Grass



fifth century Buddhidharma
brought Buddhism from
India to China, riding
the Yangtze on a blade
of grass.

Dharma

Saturday, January 10, 2009

An Ordinary Day



The car ran over the priest's foot.
Injured, he could only feel compassion
for the driver who was traumatized by
the incident.

Friday, January 9, 2009

Closure to the Missing Screw Saga



We took the glasses to
the glass store & met a
wonderful man who has 1
of the two eyeglass stores
in town.

Thursday, January 8, 2009

Zazen



Searching for Clarity

I was ready to go to "sit" when
my glasses broke--a screw fell
out. Unable to see, and all alone,
I found the screw by feeling around
in my shoe (I didn't hear it hit the
floor (and I don't have cuffs)). I
tried to put the screw back using a
magnifying glass but I still could not
see well enough. Finally I remembered that
my wife had an old pair of glasses, so
I went to get those and was able to see
well enough to put the screw back in.

But I never wanted to have to tighten that
screw again, so I gave it one more half
turn, stripping the threads and causing
the screw to come out. I finally fixed
the glasses with a piece of nerdy looking
duct tape.

On my way to "sit," I stopped at the
local optician for a quick repair job.
They referred me to a shop that only
repairs glasses. The good news was that
it was next to one of my favorite Thai
restaurants. Tomorrow I'll get a new
screw, a bigger tapped hole...
and a great meal.

Maybe.

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

The Truth (Isn't)



My daughter told me
2 day that there are
no universal truths
and that each of us
has to find our own
stuff.

Who does
she think
she is?

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

The Light in Austin



I met a man 2night &
told him I was an a-
rtist in Austin, "How's
the light," he said. We
were then interruped,
giving me a moment
2 think, "the energy is
great," I replied.

Light in Austin

Monday, January 5, 2009

God, . . .



God, you tell
her why.

See the movie,
Be Good, Smile Pretty.
about a daughter's journey
to know her father
who died in Vietnam.

Sunday, January 4, 2009

The Old Way



it was a novelty
2 write lots of letters
2 day & 2 put stamps
on them.

US

The old way

Saturday, January 3, 2009

Dog Barking Horse



The dog next door has been
barking all evening. I wonder
why it doesn't realize that his
complaining will just make it
horse.

Dog turning horse

You
might not
believe this
but it just
stopped.

Friday, January 2, 2009

My Wife's Confused?



So we were ready 2 hit
the road when I discove-
red a flat tire. I told
my wife I'd drive 2 the gas
station to fill my air tank
with air so I could* drive
to the gas station. I cou-
ldn't understand her con-
fusion.

*fill the tire and

Air

Thursday, January 1, 2009

No Art Today



I don't have time for
art today. Took apart a
stubborn table, went 2
nice party, made dinner, &
carried lots of boxes down
the stairs. Oh, and had 2
shave with a razor because
neither of my electric razor
s would work.

Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Double Negative



I don't resolve nuthing 'cept
to reduce the not too inor -
dinate use of the do -
uble negative.

No unhapi
nu
yur

School
4
every1

Monday, December 29, 2008

Sunday, December 28, 2008

Friday, December 26, 2008

Is it "me?"



I asked why he says
that a photo of him is "me."
He then asked his parents,
"what is grandpa doing?

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Crash



I'm going to fly today
as is Santa. I hope we
don't crash, as it would
delay his proceedings.
_______________________
Merry Xmas
2 all & 2 all
a good
nite.

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

Bad Weather



So sometimes we say "bad weather" just meaning that it was not as good as yesterday. This is "bad weather" in the relative sense. We compare two things and make a judgment based on the contrast between the two. On the other hand, I tried to imagine "bad weather" in the absolute sense. It might be the raining of arrows, as happened to Buddha (in his mind) the night of his enlightenment. Luckily he put up a Buddha shield and the arrows turned to flowers. If he hadn't done that, he would have experience truly "bad weather."

Read more about the middle way.

Monday, December 22, 2008

Reflections on Talks on Buddha's Lists

During a recent Appamada Intensive our students gave talks on Buddha's lists. Here are my reflections on their talks.