It was a warm spring evening. After dinner from the grill, I sat out on the deck as the evening grew dark. Leaning back in my chair, with feet propped up on another chair, I watched as the moon rose and the stars first appeared. Scanning the night sky, I… Read More »Star Gazing
A good friend emailed me on Monday evening and asked if I “happened to see the CBS Evening News, when Scott Pelley interviewed 3 seminarians studying at the North American Seminary in Rome.” I had not. But on his suggestion, on Tuesday morning, I went to the web site and… Read More »What is Truth?
In an earlier piece, I explored a basic process for meditation for those who are starting a meditation practice. Continuing on this theme, I’d like to explore some of the differences related to meditation between Christian and Buddhist approaches. Of course, each great religious tradition maintains a tradition of meditation.… Read More »Christian and Buddhist Understandings of Meditation
While there are many books written on meditation, some from particular religious traditions and others based on individual experience, it’s challenging to find a simple, practical guide for meditation. There are many people who just want to know how to meditate. For them, here’s a brief introduction to the process.… Read More »A Beginners Guide to Meditation
You’ve heard this advice, or some form of it, many times: Visualize what you want most. Set your mind on it. Imagine it clearly. The universe will bring it to you. It is true that the human power of cognition is very powerful. By changing our thinking and the way… Read More »The Secret of Living in the Here and Now
The practice is called, “tonglen.” The word is Tibetan and can be translated as giving and taking or sending and receiving. The practice appears to date to the 12th century in Tibet, but originated in India before that. Over the last several months, I’ve been learning more about the Tibetan… Read More »Buddhist Practice and Christian Lent
It was Sunday morning. I stopped at the local grocery to pick up a few things for dinner preparation. No sooner had I stepped from the car than a young man gathering carts called over to me. “You ready for the game?” I laughed and responded, “I’ll be closer to… Read More »Sport and Lessons on Community
I find myself driving along a familiar street. While my speed is within the posted limit, I pull behind a car that’s moving noticeably slower. The driver appears to have difficulty staying in the lane. At first, I’m annoyed. But then the car comes close to side-swiping a parked car… Read More »Focus and the Challenge of Multi-Tasking
