Let’s be clear: The tragicomedy of our national government’s generalized ineptitude aside—a worldwide pandemic is no laughing matter. I hope you’re all staying healthy and safe, and following the recommendations of healthcare professionals. Let’s hope and trust that kindness, compassion and collective intelligence will ultimately prevail—as we wake up fully to the fact that we’re all in this …
Practice Notes
Practice Notes: Field & Particle
The field is the sole governing agency of the particle. ~ Albert Einstein What A Human Sees I recently came across the following definition of a particle—a riff, perhaps, on the more well-known Einstein quote—which I’m liking quite a lot: A particle is what a human being sees, when they look at a field. So far as I call tell, this definition accords with recent research in quantum field …
Practice Notes: Hasty Generalization, Parasite & The Australian Open
Parasite Recently saw Parasite—a brilliantly whacky and over-the-top satire on class relations. If you haven’t already, I’d say it’s worth checking out. The title of the film points to its primary theme and central ambiguity, expressed nicely here in one review: Who are the real parasites? The poor who attach themselves to the rich or the rich who suck the marrow of the poor? Or is the system …
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Practice Notes: Evidence of the Afterlife
Was standing in line at the post office yesterday. Very long line, of course, since it is the week before Christmas. But I came prepared—with the joyously upbeat music of Ladysmith Black Mambazo streaming via Pandora on my phone. So with earbuds snuggly placed, mostly I was feeling content to be there. Every now and again, some slightly-prickly thoughts and queries: * Why on earth are …
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Driving By
Sitting at a Dharma talk at Plum Village—in south-central France in the summer of 1996—I gazed for a few long seconds out of the large community tent, allowing Thich Nhat's Hanh's words to drift into the background of my attention. In the foreground now was a country road—maybe a football field's distance away—upon which passed a series of slow-driving cars. I thought: How sweetly poignant and …
Practice Notes: Emulsion
I love a good tossed salad—especially during the summer months! Fresh greens, an assortment of chopped or grated veggies, some cheese nicely diced, all tossed with a vinaigrette and a sprinkle of raisins, pecans and/or chia seeds. Yum! If I’m in a hurry or just feeling a bit lazy, the “vinaigrette” part of this recipe is simplified to a drizzle of olive oil and a splash of balsamic vinegar, …