I never knew about this beautiful tiger fern until I saw one today!
7/31/10
I found the most perfect plant for the window box outside my shower window: a tiger fern
I never knew about this beautiful tiger fern until I saw one today!
7/30/10
While the GOP will make gains in 2010, but it also must change in the long-term
As a demographic matter, Republican constituencies are shrinking while Democratic constituencies are growing. At the same time, the Republican constituency is becoming increasingly conservative.Austin Bramwell makes his case.
Inspiration: 10 Film Characters That Will Make You a Better Man
Check out this article from my new favorite men's blog, The Good Men Project. I agree with the author, Atticus Finch is my number one choice.
Boundaries and compassion
Boundaries play an interesting and sometimes complicated role in developing compassion. They are like the stake and wires that are used to help keep young trees rooted and growing straight. Early on in our practice or when we’re faced with difficult, new challenges, a lack of healthy boundaries can lead to our compassion being blown away before it’s had a chance to take root. As we develop, though, boundaries held too tightly can stifle our compassion and keep it from reaching maturity. In the process of developing compassion, we need to become skillful at knowing when to apply boundaries and when to relax or release them.--Lorne Ladner, "Taking a Stand" (Fall 2009)
(A good friend of mine asks me for my interpretation of this lesson, so here is my take: as I have matured as a person, for example, I found that is sometimes more skillful to go within myself before I talk to others about a significant problem or challenge. In these cases, I like to sit for a while with the issue and just observe how my mind responds to the situation. In this way, self compassion for my situation often seems to arise from this process. While, in other situations, I need to let others in, sooner than later, getting their fresh perspective, being vulnerable in sharing the intimate matter, and receiving their compassion. The same dynamics apply when knowing when to give or not give to advice.
Over the course of my life, I have gone through different phases with boundaries. As a kid, I was emotionally repressed and highly boundaried, but not in a good way. Later, in my 20's and 30's, I had a good friend that I reflexively shared nearly everything with...sometimes before taking the time to reflect on the matter myself and allowing for my innate wisdom be manifest. Today, I strive for the middle way, watching my own thinking and emotions for a while AND then reaching out to friends on important concerns.)
7/29/10
That still, small voice inside
There is the voice that everybody hears... saying to you, "You should do this, you should be this, you ought to, you got to." And then there is the still small voice- for some people not so small- inside every human being that calls you to something that is greater than yourself. --Oprah
7/28/10
Sh*t Guys Do
Check out Tom Matlack's column this week about the unique things guys do. At the very smart new website, "The Good Men Project." I really enjoyed this piece. My favorite guy ritual: when the world feels like it is too much and I need a break, I hide out in bed with my favorite car magazine.
David Brooks on his former life as a Democrat and where Obama should lead his party
The more I read David Brooks, the more I think he has a man crush on Obama. Read his very interesting piece here.
No separation between ourselves and others
From Tricycle.com:There is a term in the Celtic tradition that I find resonates with something fundamental about Zen practice. The Celts spoke of “thin places,” places like caves or wells or other special sites where the boundary between the mundane and magical was permeable. To me, Zen practice offers a kind of thin place, a “place” where we can discover that there is fundamentally no separation between ourselves and others, that what we seek is always so close, always right here.
Roshi Pat Enkyo O'Hara
7/27/10
Who has the most sex? The Daily Beast tells us
Check out the facts and figures from today's Daily Beast post.
Forgiving, but not forgetting about, the actions of those who divide America: Karl Rove, Matt Drudge, Andy Breitbart, Pat Buchanan, Rush and others
As a progressive political activist who values his spiritual practice, I sometimes find myself responding to the divisive, hateful actions of conservatives with my own hatred. When this happens, I try to pause, choose again, and re-open my heart. While it is important to counter their messages of fear and often blatant disinformation, I want to do so without malice or hatred in my heart. I wish for them, as for all people, the allievaton of their suffering and the experience of enlightenment.(PS I also have problems with the activists and their tactics on the extreme left: Michael Moore, Keith Olbermann, and the Mother Jones crowds.)
Essential to spiritual practice
Nothing is left to you at this moment but to have a good laugh!--Zen saying
(A good sense of humor is a beautiful thing in practice & life)
7/26/10
More about the mundane joys of everyday life and how money can decrease our ability to enjoy them.
Andrew Sullivan reports:The Liege psychologists propose that, because money allows us to enjoy the best things in life – we can stay at expensive hotels and eat exquisite sushi and buy the nicest gadgets – we actually decrease our ability to enjoy the mundane joys of everyday life.
More about it here.
By studying the self, I forget it
Study the self. By studying the self to the end of the study and beyond, we become intimate with the self. Being intimate with the self, we forget the self. With the self forgotten, all attachments to the body and mind are dropped. Freed from self-clinging, all obstacles to the bodhisativa vows also drop away, and we can finally respond appropriately to the changing world of everyday affairs.--Reb Anderson, "Being Upright"
(Today, I finished Reb's book with the quotation above, which I has my been study guide to the 16 Zen Buddhist precepts and in preparation of my Jukai ceremony, in October, which is similar in spirit to a Catholic confirmation ceremony. At Jukai, I make a formal commitment to live by these precepts in front of my spiritual community and ask for their support in helping me live this way. It has been six years since I formally started studying Zen. What a wonderful journey it has been.)
7/25/10
Change comes to southern Italy
My college roommate, who lived in Naples, Italy, during high school, used to talk about the frequent strikes at Fiat and the lack of work ethic amongst factory workers there. Read this NYTimes article that shows that even Napolitanos can change. Imagine that.
At Netroots Nation, Mr. Integrity holds Mr. Politics accountable for ending DADT: Lt. Dan Choi calls out Senator Harry Reid
I find very disappointing the treatment of Lt. Dan Choi by this Administration and the Democrats. I can understand why they did not stall his discharge process indefinitely...if the GOP was facing a similar issue, they would have found a way.
Having said that, the GOP doesn't care about gay people, despite the many conservative queens on Capitol Hill and at the RNC. The GOP uses gay people to win elections by exploiting the fears of social conservatives and thinks nothing of the consequences in terms of the resulting discrimination, violence, and social alienation for LGBT. They simply don't care. The Democrats do care but, sadly, sometimes they don't have strength of their convictions. And that includes President Obama.
Having said that, the GOP doesn't care about gay people, despite the many conservative queens on Capitol Hill and at the RNC. The GOP uses gay people to win elections by exploiting the fears of social conservatives and thinks nothing of the consequences in terms of the resulting discrimination, violence, and social alienation for LGBT. They simply don't care. The Democrats do care but, sadly, sometimes they don't have strength of their convictions. And that includes President Obama.
There is no security in this life
There is no "ground" or security in this ephemeral existence. Everything is constantly shifting and changing. Opening to this truth allows me to enjoy the present moment, rather than overly-planning or resisting the future. My mind wants control, so I have to remind myself of these facts every single day...this is my practice.
7/24/10
Man's task is to...
"...remember that he is a work of art, perfect and complete. Only our self-delusions keep us from realizing this.
Lt. Dan Choi is officially kicked out of the Army
Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy
Another example of why self-regulation by oil companies does not work
Listen to this NPR report about frequent oil spills in Nigeria.
Straight gay activist and college wrestler Hudson Taylor asks "Why do you fight for gay rights?"
This smart and hunky college athlete has created a new blog where he asks people why do you fight for gay rights? Check it out.
7/23/10
As did the Conservative Party in the UK, the GOP is in need of a major overhaul. Andrew Sullivan makes the case
America needs a strong “mommie party" (the Democratic party) and a strong “daddie party" (GOP) for this society and our system to work. While I will never be a conservative, I do hope for a well-run, more mainstream conservative party as they have in the UK, unlike the small-minded Andrew Breitbarts and Karl Roves we have here. Andrew Sullivan makes the case here.
There is a reason this film won seven Academy Awards in 1946, capturing the country's post-war experience: "The Best Year of Our Lives"
It is a masterpiece of story-telling and acting. I watched this film last weekend, at my business partner's urging and was really moved by it. One for your Netflix list.
Possibly, the best restaurant I have eaten at in San Francisco
Jane and I had dinner there last night and absolutely savored every bite, including bacon-infused beignets and dark chocolate pot de creme with bing cherries. Yum. It took us 3 months to get a reservation at this small, intimate restaurant, but it was worth it. The restaurant was a nominee for best new restaurant by the James Beard Foundation in 2010, and now we understand why.
7/22/10
Andrew Sullivan on Obama's long game in dealing with today's conservative media freak show
Andrew Sullivan sees wisdom in Obama's refusal to lash back, ala Clinton-style, at Fox News, Rush, and the rest of the freak show. Read.
People are talking and talking about the film, "The kids are all right"
Join the thoughtful discussion at the New York Times about this film from this immensely talented director, Lisa Cholodenko, who also was responsible for another fav film of mine, "Laurel Canyon."
When the past seems as real as the present
I love this picture sent to me by my parents. Instead of being a faded black and white photo, this color photo is as bright and vivid as my life in this moment. It reminds me that the past moments of my life were as immediate and real to me as is today.
The photo that brought AIDS home for Americans
Rarely does one photo change the hearts of a nation. This one did. Read about it at huffingtonpost.com
Good news: Argentina president signs marriage equality law
In the next five years, we will celebrate a victory like this one in California.The benefit of meditation
Rest your frontal lobe.--Dainin Katagiri
(And take a breather from your normal stream of thoughts and concerns.)
7/21/10
Details magazine article: "Would you really be okay with a gay kid?" Well, I wasn't at first.
Read this thought-provoking article in Details. It asks a difficult question that I had to face about six years ago, when my long-time mentoree, Jason, "came out" to me. My initial reaction was surprise and, unfortunately, private disappointment. While part of me wanted to protect Jason from the challenges and discrimination that my gay brother and I have faced as a gay men, another unconscious part of me had expectations that Jason would grow up straight, marry, have kids and lead a "normal" life. I realized then that I still suffered from internalized homophobia despite being out and a LGBT advocate for over 20 years.. The weekend after his coming out, Jason and I went out for a great celebratory lunch. I noticed my mixture of emotions, including pride in his authenticity and courage as well as the strong desire to protect Jason from any opportunistic, predatory men. However, over time, I just relaxed and let go, haven't thought about it much since that time.
Now as I am read a psychology book called "The Velvet Rage," which dissects the emotionally-stunting shame that most gay men suffer as they come of age in this straight world, I really want to cry. I realize that until we change our attitudes towards gay people on a deep level and truly celebrate (rather than just tolerate) their sexual orientation, our (gay) children are going to suffer. And we will too.
Key zen lesson: everything changes
When you ride in a boat and watch the shore, you might assume that the shore is moving. But when you keep your eyes closely on the boat, you can see that the boat moves. Similarly, if you examine myriad things with a confused body and mind you might suppose that your mind and nature are permanent. When you practice intimately and return to where you are, it will be clear that nothing at all has unchanging self.--Dogen
7/20/10
I will be cycling in a fundraiser for the Khuphuka Project, an AIDS/HIV health care initiative in rural South Africa. Sponsor me!
Sunday, I am cycling 40 miles in this fundraiser for the Khuphuka Project, a very effective and efficient HIV and AIDS community outreach program serving the Mqatsheni tribal area in remote South Africa. I am seeking sponsorships of $20 in order to help make a difference in this remote African region. To sponsor me for this Sunday’s 40-mile bike ride, let me know and send your money to:
* Send me a check (payable to SF Insight with Khuphuka Project in the memo line): joe rodriguez 3607 22nd Street, SF, CA 94114
* Or donate online at https://www.justgive.org/nonprofits/donate.jsp?ein=94-1186221 (This is Unitarian/Universalists online donation center, another sponsor of this fundraiser.)
Thanks, Joe
(While this event is being held by SF Insight, a local Buddhist group, the Khuphuka Project is a medical and education program, not a religious one.)
The truth beneath our delusions
You are already complete. You just don't know it.--Seung Sahn
(It has taken me most of my life to understand and appreciate this teaching.)
One of the most vibrant and creative people I have met in the last year. Khahtee V. Turner, founder of Studio Creative Play, a pre-school in Brooklyn
Jeff and I had brunch with Khahtee and her son Ansel recently, and we reminded of her great, loving energy. Check out this article on her distinct approach to pre-schools.
7/19/10
Pundits give the President advice on how to revitalize "Brand Obama"
Check out the political advice of these wisemen (and women) from yesterday's NYTimes.
Jeff and I loved this production of "Our Town," starring Helen Hunt in its "stage-manager" role
During our recent visit to NYC, we saw this smart, Barrow Street Theatre production of Thorton Wilder's "Our Town," with the ever-talented Helen Hunt. Here is the NYTimes profile of Ms. Hunt in this role. Check it out if you are visiting NYC in the near future.
Henry Belanger, a straight man, loves his gay softball team. This is his story
This story at the Good Men Project website made nostalgic about my gay softball league playing days...especially the athleticism, ethics and camaraderie of one of my teams. I could relate to much of Henry's story. Click here to read it.
View of the World Cup according to Twitter
At the moment of the winning goal in the 2010 World Cup final, people from 81 countries tweeted in 23 different languages, as represented in this Wordle infographic.
Enlightenment is here
If enlightenment is not where you are standing, where will you look?--zen saying
7/18/10
Happy birthday to Nelson Mandela! At 92
BTW, Mr. Mandela was 'converted' to endorse gay rights in 1990's. When Nelson Mandela was released from prison in 1990, a gay activist wrote an open letter to ask the ANC leader his attitude to gay and lesbian rights. "He gave an assurance that gay and lesbian people are part of the oppressed in South Africa, and therefore there was no way he would reject them." Gay people are fully protected (and allowed to marry in the country's new constitution.)
Frank Geary's Bilbao museum voted as most important building since 1980.
Understandably so. Check out Vanity Fair's top post-modern buildings as voted by leading architects.
Zen lesson: If it's not paradoxical, it's not true
If it's not paradoxical, it's not true.--Shunryu Suzuki
7/17/10
Washington Post writer: "NAACP is right to call out racists within Tea Party movement"
By Jonathan CapehartSince February, I have been sounding the alarm against the radical voices that have attached themselves to the Tea Party movement. That is, the racists and the birthers and the Tenth Amendment-types who show up at Tea Party rallies with their hyperbolic signs comparing President Obama to Hitler, Stalin and other dictators who subjugated their countries through mass murder. Not the majority of folks in the movement who have legitimate concerns about the direction and size of government and the explosion of debt undertaken to sustain it. They are tired of Washington not listening to them. Well, Washington and the nation are listening to them now -- and to the crazies among them.
It’s the racists who have compelled the NAACP to vote unanimously on a resolution calling on leaders in the Tea Party movement to disavow them. As E.J. Dionne brilliantly points out today, the venerable civil rights organization isn’t asking Tea Party leaders to do anything less than what conservatives have consistently called on liberals to do.
The NAACP is doing what conservatives have done for decades in demanding that liberals and progressives separate themselves from left-wing extremists who trashed America, burned flags and praised foreign dictators. The racists are the Tea Party's flag-burners. It's fair to ask the democratic left to condemn extremism. It's fair to ask the same of the democratic right. (Note the small "d.")
Here's a specific example: Remember in the 1990s when Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan was fanning racial animus, spewing anti-Semitism and spinning conspiracy theories about the government actively targeting black men for annihilation? African American lawmakers were called upon nationally and locally, particularly in New York, to denounce Farrakhan. It was unfair to ask elected officials to condemn his every crackpot utterance. But it was also a no-brainer for serious politicians to make clear that Farrakhan didn’t speak for them lest their work and priorities get derailed. Tea Party leaders who don’t want their real concerns crowded out by the radical elements around them must -- MUST -- do the same.
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