A Quiet Christmas

I keep thinking of what Michelle said when I told her I would be on retreat through the holidays. She said, "So it will be a quiet Christmas for you this year." I didn't realize how quiet. I didn't think we were taking vows of silence for this retreat, but I see we really are. During the instructions and orientation this past week, we were told that the retreatants at Sravasti Abbey (the photo) are to turn off their cell phones, computers and that they will watch no TV or movies. Video Dharma talks are allowed and we were told we can access the internet Dharma pages, but no other type of "chit chat", in chat rooms, tweeting or emails. (Sravasti is a savvy abbey with plenty of digital dharma!)

So, I am actually violating the rules by blogging. But, I really felt as part of my purification process I need to post weekly. I am journaling a LOT. Keeping very detailed notes on the teachings, my reactions, and the effects. I would love to give my own big dharma talk by writing a Facebook note on all the nuances of this purification retreat, but that would be a complete violation, so I won't. I am learning to be quiet with my thoughts and reactions. To absorb and practice the teachings rather than feel compelled to share every feeling and insight. That is a breakthrough for me and enough said. Yes, Michelle, it is a very quiet Christmas! Holiday Blessings to my friends of all faiths and Namaste to all.

On Vacation with the Buddha

Well, here I am on retreat, something totally different than I expected to be doing this December. I had every intention of taking off in my big RV Van for the Baja, but fate had something else in mind. It's a long story and those who need to know the how's and why's of it, do. The important thing is that I have now fully committed to 30 days of "Retreat from Afar." I have vowed to the same rigid monastic schedule my brother is doing, the only difference being that I am "in" for 30 days, and he's doing three months -- actually more, but three months of this particular "Vajarasattva Purification." That link is actually to a different, two-day retreat held in 2006, but the tone and topics are the same.

The real reason I'm blogging is 1) to periodically post how I feel going through this long process -- the longest retreat I've undertaken, and 2) to record the truly auspicious beginning. The Lama conducting the retreat told us today, "Many favorable conditions must come together for you to participate in this retreat." I understand what she means -- there are so many circumstances including knowing what Vajrayana is, having some of the preliminary teachings (so it even makes sense), and then the fortuitous conditions to hear of this event and join in. But add to that, right this moment (9 pm Sunday evening) because I was online and reviewing some of the materials, I received word that His Holiness the Dalai Lama was about to broadcast live from India. His teachings just began on Ustream. So I will stop and listen to his Dharma Transmission on mind training.

All of this is incredibly auspicious. Also, this morning, just as I finished meditating and stepped outside to feed the birds, a new unusual bird (very colorful, that I learned is a Black-headed Grosbeak) was outside. I've been feeding birds for several years and this is the first time I've seen such a bird. But it came to me it was a sign that I was on the right path. So, my first day has been very successful, but now I must concentrate on HHDL. Namaste!

Bodhi Day and holiday thoughts

I've really been wrestling with the "holiday" concept this year. The last thing I want to come off as is a Grinch or Scrooge. Dickens' story of keeping Christmas in one's heart all year long had a HUGE impact on me when I was young, and profoundly affected my life. However more recently I've been pondering what exactly affected me, and it's not really "Christmas" -- it's the spirit of giving.

Charity is something we should keep in hearts year-round, but that's for everyone -- not just Christians. Charity and compassion are an essential part of our Buddhist precepts. The term Bodhichitta means compassion and it arises from realizing how interconnected we all are. Buddhist teachers often use the analogy of our body like this: you wouldn't cut off your hand because it offends you. After all, our hand is part of us. In the Buddhist cosmic view, everything is part of us and the complete realization of that is considered Enlightenment (click on the art above, to read another Buddhist viewpoint on Bodhi Day and Enlightenment.)

Christmas has become so complicated and commercialized that it's hard to know what people are celebrating. Gift-giving is a beautiful sentiment, but not when it means shoving and pepper-spraying others to buy some product that no one really needs in the first place. Even more civilized shopping raises questions of why buy more things for people who have plenty, rather than practicing real charity toward those who have nothing? And, for those who consider themselves Christians (yet criticize those who aren't), how about practicing some of the concepts Jesus actually taught: love, mercy and tolerance.

Finally, I am far from a perfect practitioner (still easily agitated by right-wing political nonsense and many other Kleshas.) That is why I feel compelled to participate in a serious winter retreat this year to "take the Dharma medicine" (as one of my teachers says) with the intention to get healthier every day (and that is in thought, speech and action.) Namaste!

Conrad's Karma

I got a bit exuberant on Twitter the day Conrad Murray was being sentenced for KILLING (yes, killing) Michael Jackson. With a name like ZenWoman (and on six or seven Buddhist lists), I am fully aware of how UNzen-like it may seem to cheer for maximum punishment. Let me explain.

First of all, the MAX was a four year jail sentence (not life or death), and because of overcrowding in Los Angeles, it will be two years, or less. The time will be served in a jail, not a state prison, and Murray may very well get out much sooner (think Lindsey Lohan.) This is a ridiculously minor term, IMHO, for killing someone, especially when the someone killed was the King of Pop, worldwide icon, and single parent of three young children.

Yes, I know this raises two additional points: 1) should punishment be more harsh for killing a celebrity, and 2) why do I insist he was killed. The answer to the first point is no, however you cannot deny that there was more outrage over the killing of JFK and MLK than an unknown person. There was moral outrage over the loss of Michael Jackson for millions of fans worldwide. And this brings me to my final point. I felt all along that MJ was killed because use of anesthesia by a cardiologist in MJ's bedroom was "gross negligence." His autopsy confirmed it was the propofol and not some other drug or substance. MJ would not have died had Conrad Murray simply refused to administer the anesthesia.

Why am I revisiting all this? Why did I feel glad and even cheer that justice was served? I guess because it was so wrong; just as it was so wrong for Natalie Wood to drown with NO justice. Murray showed no remorse for his actions, even played on the beach during the trial. Now we hear that Robert Wagner may have been negligent or god forbid responsible for Wood's death? It raises ALL the issues of judgement, compassion, and karma. I continue to work on my karma, kleshas and compassion. And once again this brings to mind what HHDL would say in these and all cases of extreme injustice: "How can we not feel compassion for someone who faces such unfortunate rebirth as a result of his actions?" (You can just as easily view this as feeling compassion for someone who will 'burn in hell' in Christian terms.) And that really raises the whole issue of morality, doesn't it?

Lha Bab Duchen

AKA "Tachyon Bombardment" Wow, today was an important "holy day" in the Tibetan Buddhist world. A day we are to remain mostly silent or doing good deeds, in honor of the historic Buddha's "return to Earth." Doesn't that raise an eyebrow? Return? Where had he been? This is straight from a Buddhist text:

Buddha had been teaching celestial beings, including his mother, in one of the god realms. A disciple begged him to return to the human world, and so Shakyamuni descended from the god realm on three ladders made of gold and gems.

The god realm, really? Or as Ancient Alien theorists would say, maybe a spaceship? From the first time I saw the beautiful Thangka shrine art I zereo'd in on the blue beings. Why so many otherworldly entities in the Tibetan art? Imagine my amazement when I heard about the "Celestial visitations." JUST LIKE MY OWN??

I won't go into the whole Celestial story here (parts of it are in AKS and more to come when I release the Cosmic Revelations in 2012), but yesterday, I was dipping in and out of the recently-released abridged Exegesis of Philip K. Dick, and of course there it all was again: Phil's experiences with the pink beams, celestial visions, and his "tachyon bombardment." The latter his term for the sensation of being beamed insights. While some of this may seem odd or weird to you, it's the stuff I've been dealing with for years -- before, during and now after the writing of my novel. And with the blur of Tibetan lore, VALIS, Ancient Aliens, and my own Transmissions, I guess there is no escaping the fact I will continue to be immersed in these concepts throughout 2012 and Beyond (whatever that might mean.) Crazy? Me or Phil? This surely feels like DeJa Vu all over again ;) Click the book for a podcast about the Exegesis, including a comment I left there. WARNING: the Exegesis can result in severe brain alteration if you spend too much time with it!

ZiaLink Comments?

Until I figure out how to accept comments on the ZiaLink Ink Publishing site, you'll have to post here. The top priority was getting Beyond the GodForce published for its 11:11 release. The brand new 20th Anniversary eBook Edition is available on Amazon. Exciting!

I'm also working on the Flu pamphlet (mentioned on ZiaLink) and really would love some feedback. Interested in a reliable, healthy alternative to taking a flu shot? Wonder what's in the vaccine and how safe it really is? All of that and more will be in our mini eBook: FLU: the Perpetual Pandemic!

8th year...

Well, here I go again... my eighth turn of the Nano wheel. Sorry, that's an inside joke for Buddhists (turn of the Dharma wheel.) I'll be combining those two endeavors this time. Spinning the wheel, praying for words. I call this project "Disparate Pieces", a mish-mash of some final work on the GodForce Guidebook, my Vision book and a health booklet. yeah, all are non-fiction. Wanna fight about it? I'm a proud Nano Rebel and I'll do as I please this cycle (every cycle, actually.)

It's not too late to join: National Novel Writing Month or as I call mine -- National Write Whatever You Want Month (NWWYWM) ;)

Religion? Faith? or Reason?

Religion-- or more to the point Faith -- is it the “purposeful suspension of critical thinking” as Bill Maher calls it? The alleged comedian and his atheist guest, magician Penn Jillette, had a lively discussion on this weeks’ edition of HBO’s “Real Time with Bill Maher” about the Cult of Mormonism (their term, not mine), evangelicals, and of course, their favorite topic: atheism. Lest I sound as cynical as them, let me quickly say I am all for reason and critical thinking. In fact, I too abandoned Christianity, particularly Pentecostalism, as soon as I was capable of critical thinking. "Oh no," you sigh, thinking I am just as cynical as those two. NOT SO. Their ranting tonight provides a perfect opportunity for me to share something I've found incredibly profound from His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

I’ve been listening to several hours of audio from HHDL on this very subject-- no not making fun of Christianity -- critical thinking. The Dalai Lama engages in a thought-provoking dialogue, bringing together scientists and spirituality, because as he says, “science is not neutral; it can be used for good or ill.” He takes a hard look at various ethical considerations related to technological advancements.

But, what brought me here to blog, was the following insight that I transcribed from his audio. The quote below is HHDL's comparison of scientific methods and Buddhism (this is very close to a direct transcription, telescoping just a bit of dialogue in one spot):

Although Buddhism has evolved to include a body of teachings and related rituals, scriptural authority cannot outweigh an understanding based on reason and experience. In fact, the Buddha himself, undermined the scriptural authority of his own words when he told his followers not to accept the validity of his teachings based on a reverence to him. "Just as a goldsmith tests and analyzes his gold through a meticulous process of examination," the Buddha told his followers, "you too must test the truth of what I've told you through reasoned examination and personal experiment." Therefore when it comes to validating the truth of a claim or mind training technique, Buddhism accords the greatest authority to experience, then reason and scripture last.

The great masters from the Nalanda University of India, from which Tibetan Buddhism sprang, continued to apply the Buddha’s advice in their rigorous testing and critical examination of the Buddha’s own teachings (HHDL continued on telling the gathering of monks and scientists, then summed up with this amazing statement.)

So, it makes no difference if the Truth is found through scientific research or if we investigate something and find there is reason and proof for it, we must acknowledge that as reality- even if it is in contradiction with a literal, scriptural explanation that has held ‘sway’ for many centuries or from a deeply held opinion or view. So, (and here comes his most astounding remark) a fundamental attitude shared by science and Buddhism is the commitment to keep searching for the Truth by empirical means and to be willing to discard religious precepts if our search finds the facts to be different.

This kind of critical thinking and flexibility is why I am a Buddhist.

Honestly, I can’t think of what I could add to that. If I were in Court, I would rest my case!

Non-Violent Response?

So, #OccupyWallStreet (on Twitter) REALLY got me going. I loved the #OccupyBurque crowd -- cheered them on, honking and waving on Central Avenue Saturday. But then Saturday night I was getting really hot under the collar reading right-wing Tweets. As usual I began to lambaste the worst offenders for their “ignorant views” such as claiming that liberals are just jealous of the rich. I am NOT envious of extreme greed and outrageous resistance to paying their fair share of taxes. I donate as much as I can to help those less fortunate and I make a pittance of the 1% Wall Street wealthy. Yes, I’ve invested in stocks over the years, but with companies of my choice, companies I want to support, not the "greedy bastards" (as Dylan Ratigan calls them in his book) that invented or use leveraged derivatives to make obscene amounts of money at the expense of innocent home owners. I stand with the 99% who have lost their jobs and homes over such excessive greed and corruption that has come from the alleged “self-regulation” of corporate America.

That said, the real point of this post is that my Buddhist Teacher, Pema Chodron, reminds us that whenever we feel really challenged (or angry) it’s definitely an opportunity to expand our Practice. In particular the teachings of today's audio were so timely as she described Peace Activists often being the most angry and aggressive protestors. I’ve used her example of this before when she describes turning down the sound on the television and seeing two “red faced men” arguing. You cannot distinguish one side from the other. All you see is anger.

Her point: in pitting opinion against opinion, no progress takes place. You cannot hear the other side when each person is shouting over the other. In the non-violent view (on this International Day of Non-Violence today, honoring Ghandi's birthday 10.2.1869), is it POSSIBLE to stop and actually HEAR another point of view? Ghandi, the Dalai Lama and Pema all claim it is. They teach that we don't have to give up our beliefs, but that we can be open enough to listen and at least agree to disagree. I find it very hard -- nearly impossible -- to listen to those who quickly resort to name-calling. Some right-wing tweeter insisted on calling the peaceful protestors "loons." Of course, I wanted to call him an ignorant asshole. So, where does that get us?? As Pema says, just two red-faced angry people.

We have to find a way back to civil discourse in this country. Congress is at an impasse: Republicans vs. Democrats, liberals vs. conservatives, rich vs. poor, and we find disagreements and differing views escalating on every front. There is no respect or willingness to listen. How do we get out of this stalemate?

Water in the Desert

Love this shot I took of the mesa that inspired Georgia O'Keeffe to paint and stay in New Mexico. After 30 years I finally saw Abiquiu Lake. Although it's smaller than Heron Lake (where I stayed in 2008) the setting is more spectacular. I camped here with the van for three days.

Before that I stayed one night at Jemez Springs and have brief (hokey) videos of both. (They should be viewed in order, I think.)
First, just a still shot of Soda Dam, a unique geological natural dam at Jemez River. I camped further downstream...



The Lake was just a few steps from the "rig" at Riana Campground!
Abiquiu is about 90 miles northeast of Jemez and the whole trip was almost exactly 300 miles. And, what you can't see is the unbelievable night sky and dense stars. I could see the Milky Way! There were many cosmic events :-0 Those are for my paper journal (for now ;)

Calm Abiding

What I love the most about Pema (Pema Chodron) and her way of presenting age-old Buddhist teachings is how fresh and non-religious she makes the message. When she talks about addictions and desire it's more like listening to a young, modern counselor. You would not suspect you are hearing a 75-yr old nun teaching on Kleshas (our grasping nature.) If you haven't met Pema, take a moment and look at this brief discussion where Alice Walker (author of The Color Purple) expresses her gratitude and asks Pema if suffering serves any purpose.

I think everyone could benefit from Pema's messages. For some, like my friend Lesley, it has changed her life-- almost instantly. Lesley said HHDL (the Dalai Lama) didn't "speak to her." That floored me. But when I thought about it, I could see why. He's Tibetan and... a man. Pema is speaking directly to Americans and often to women. She is an American. She was married, has children and grandchildren, and knows exactly the kind of problems we face.

But for me the very best part of Pema, and any Buddhist teacher, including HHDL, is there is no proselytizing. If I sound "preachy about Pema" it's only because she's so wonderful and I want the world to know. I'm really not trying to recruit Buddhists. When you get down to it, it's really much more a philosophy than a religion. The Dharma (teachings) is more like a tool box -- techniques that can help quiet a troubled mind. As HHDL is fond of saying, "You can be a Buddha and a Christian, but usually it's the Christian churches who don't like the vice versa." He laughs a full belly laugh when he says that. Namaste! (which literally means I bow to you, or see myself in you.) OH, and for the exuberant, I posted a lengthy discussion as a link on the title.

Think PKD is passe?

well, think again! Philip K. Dick (PKD as the Dickheads call him) is getting even MORE popular this fall! Every week we see a new book release about him, or even BY him -- even though he's been dead for nearly thirty years. This November fans will finally see the infamous Exegesis of PKD. Infamous, I say, because there has always been a swirl of controversy around Phil's private life. The Exegesis (in full) is said to be nearly ten thousand pages of raw, journal-like scribblings-- some typed, some hand-written. Much of it centers around Phil's personal speculations on the cause of his strange encounters in early 1974, the "pink beam" phase, as some of us lovingly call it. Other Dick fans hated these final years of Phil's life claiming he had a series of "pin strokes" (TIA is the proper medical term) beginning eight years before he died and that all of his visions and "religious" experiences can be tied to brain maladies. Phil died of a stroke, followed by heart attack, March 2, 1982.

Paul Williams, who was the first Literary Executor for PKD's papers and unpublished works, was adamantly opposed to publication of the Exegesis. He called it "incoherent and repetitive." Of course Paul has his own brain malady now (early dementia from a bicycle accident) so he's in no position to argue with the Trust (Phil's offspring.) Moot point, since Volume One of the material is set for November 7, 2011 publication. All of this was discussed in the last issue of PKD Otaku-- one of the only remaining PKD 'zines. (Interview about my novel, followed by my interview with Phil's widow Tessa and other AKS/PKD matters begin on page 8. Google doc loads fast, check it out!)

The Los Angeles public library is sponsoring a panel discussion about PKD and his Exegesis in November.

That's not all! As I said, every week something new comes out. Just today I received this pre-publication blurb. You can imagine how my heart lept when I saw that subtitle: Do Androids have Kindred Spirits!! On Amazon, however, I discovered the title appears to have been changed to Philip K. Dick and Philosophy: Who Adjusts the Adjustment Bureau? That one is due out October 11.

Postings have never been more frequent or furious than they are now on the "Secret PKD Society," a private Facebook group. Seventy-five Phil fans post every new sighting. Word of the Global eBook Award for my novel, A Kindred Spirit, received fifty comments. But, this my friends, takes the cake. PKD TV!! It wouldn't be hard to fill up an internet channel with the movies, documentaries, video clips and fan ravings about our man, PKD. There's talk of a Bladerunner remake (godforbid) and Radio Free Albemuth (a posthumously published PKD novel/now film) is currently seeking a distributor. The RFA film trailer looks dark and weird, just the way ole Phil liked things. There's plenty more Phil facts over on the Official Philip K. Dick Site to keep fans up-to-date on everything coming down the pike! (pun intended ;)

True Self Webinar

Really enjoyed MSIA (pronounced Messiah)'s webinar tonight. Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness, that's the full name. I have been luke warm about this group, which some call a cult. However, I like some of their concepts, which are an odd blend of Buddhist philosophy, Taoism and what I call some Gnostic pre-Constantine Christianity (they don't say that, I do.) MSIA emphasizes Christ Consciousness and something they call Soul Transcendence, which they define as the process of becoming aware of yourself as a soul and as one with God.

I just finished writing about similar concepts for my forthcoming book Vision: Seeing Clearly.

The Gnostic Christians, early followers of Jesus, claimed that any of us could be Christed. It meant receiving the Christ Consciousness. When we become one with God, and the Holy Ghost, we are knowers or seers -- gnostics. The "good news" according to the original Gnostic Gospels was that no intermediaries are required. Everyone can experience God. To me, this is exactly what Buddhists call Enlightenment.

Anyway, tonight's online tele-workshop, as they call it, wasn't about anything "religious," it was about self awareness. How to deal with anxiety, fear, judgment, anger... that type of stuff. How to use simple techniques to overcome old habits, or as they say to reveal your True Self. The techniques are great -- the terminology might be off-putting for some. But, that's my job.

I am determined to express the essence of some of these excellent tools -- whether it's Buddhist mindfulness practice, heretical Gnostic wisdom (read that tongue in cheek because I certainly don't consider Gnosticism heretical), or Science of Mind methods in the non-fiction book I am writing.

I'm enjoying dabbling in a lot of spiritual traditions, including my ancient aliens and Sumerian Shamans, to present a mind blowing perspective on what's really real (as PKD would say.)

Speaking of PKD and AKS, hop on over to the AKS Book Blog and read all about the award and what's next in the ongoing AKS adventures ;) I've got to get back to writing!

Analog Underground

I just love this! An Analog Revolution... back to the Future, again. Typewriters are having a renaissance! Along with vinyl albums, 35 mm film and not mentioned in the NY article, but another personal fav of mine: fountain pens.

As a writer, I recently had a hankering for a typewriter. At first, I thought about a real vintage model. You know, a black Underwood with the cool round keys like this one. I quickly gave up that idea for two reasons: too expensive now and not really useful. If I'm going to put a typewriter in my library, then it might as well be one I could actually use. Something fun. Talking to my friend Mo, I fondly recalled the portable I had as a teenager, an aqua Smith Corona. Then she sent me the NY mag article (linked in the title above) and lo and behold, it led me straight to a pic of my dream machine.

Here it is, a 70s era SCM "Cougar." I want one! For all I know, my old one could still be in the basement along with my inherited blue and mother of pearl accordion (don't get me going on that!) No, I wouldn't want to type out a book. Think of the problems with THOSE revisions! But, it would be fun to play around with...

just like my pens. Here is a sample of those. The new big Acura dragon (top), my beloved tiger eye Monteverde (left) followed by two Jinhao dragon pens, an ultra fine Jinhao and my bronze/pearl Laban. My new Picasso is on top of my journal. Two favorite inks there, too. The fabulous Caran d'ache "Storm" in it's leaded bottle and the round, inkwell included, Namiki blue. (click to enlarge) Love 'em all!

Kalachakra 2011

At 9 am (MDT) today, His Holiness the Dalai Lama, concluded the 2011 Kalachakra for World Peace ceremony in Washington DC. But, as always, the Kalachakra is MORE... it is deeply personal, and especially this year, as it also commemorated HHDL's 76 birthday, and included the annual worldwide Dharma Day. Truly an auspicious occasion! Here is the poster, which links to some of the images and videos from the 11 day event.

Thousands gathered for this most memorable event and nearly $6 Million was raised. HHDL and his foundation do not seek financial profit, so after expenses almost two million dollars will be donated to causes that benefit world peace. HHDL was enroute this morning to meet with President Obama at the White House. And, here is the mandala described in the link above.

And, despite how beautiful it is, made of sand and created laboriously by monks during the ceremony, at the end it is simply brushed away... like everything, impermanent. The sand is dumped into nearby water. In this case, the Potomac River, because like everything, the essence remains and the perfect peace of Kalachakra flows with it out into the everyday world. "May it be of benefit," said HHDL as he concluded the ceremony to thunderous applause. Yes, may it.

the Bella Vita

I really don't like going to the casinos these days. But, here I am being serenaded by local mariachis for my (mumble under breath) birthday. I'm at Route 66, one of our local indian casinos, with my long-time Romero friends. Sophie, seen in the second pic below, absolutely loves the buffet and still enjoys her slots. So, I go. This was actually Sunday, July 3rd, not my actual birthday. I would have preferred to stay home in the A/C and watched the closing arguments in the Anthony trial. Sigh, it's true, I was so caught up in that drama. Devoted a month of afternoons to live testimony on HLN.

Why? Who knows. As I posted on Fbook, others watch fictional TV dramas, this was real life drama. A young mother who probably chloroformed her baby so she could enjoy the bella vita (beautiful life.) She got that tattoo a day or so after her child died (or was killed.) And, now it seems she will have that "beautiful life" she craved. The jury returned NOT guilty. Casey will be a free woman with a million dollar book deal, some say.

I spent years writing my novel. Casey will have a ghost writer. Okay, I too had a ghost writer ;) Mine was rather demanding. He wanted the story told. I did not get a million dollar book deal. I'm not even in the black. Maybe crime does pay.

Waterfall Done!

Here it is! My new backyard waterfall. Below are more pics on the effort it took. For instance, first a giant crane came into my side yard to lift the 500 pound boulder.

Then the big rock was hoisted over my fence to my backyard.


Two guys carefully lowered the boulder into position. Looks like Julio is holding the big rock ;) Finally, the wider view of the rock with the new landscaping (in the empty area as seen in the previous post below.)
90 second (Sunday morning) video says 90%, but there's quite a few details left. At least you can HEAR and see the waterfall now. Enjoy!

Yard in Progress

I posted some info about how the yard used to look on Facebook (the link is the title.) It's only about 80% done here. I will add a pic of the water feature after it's installed.


I just realized this will limit my travel for June. I need to tend to the seeds and flowers, and bit of sod that can't be watered via the ditch irrigation. By July, awfully hot. Maybe I will stay put over the summer and then go on an extended trip in the fall.

10 Days left?

When I posted that comment (question) on Facebook, I wondered what reaction I would get. I thought if a lot of folks knew about this, I'd get some response. I got NONE. Just WTF, basically.

I realize a lot of people just roll their eyes at apocalyptic talk, but if you read my novel you know it begins and ends with Doomsday thoughts. I've always been fascinated with End Times, cryptic Nostradamus prophecy, the Mayan calendar that ends at 2012, and even Revelations. But even I find it incredulous to pinpoint a precise DAY using biblical references. Which version or translation of the bible? and how can two thousand year old material correlate to our Gregorian calendar, adopted around 500 years ago?

Even so I must point out a few weird things: 1) I've been planning a trip to California (for May), but recently (before I heard of this Rapture date), I developed extreme anxiety about earthquakes. I mean waking up in a cold sweat from nightmares involving "the big one." Today I learned this group claims a major earthquake will start the Rapture, which they say occurs on May 21st. Yes, a few days from now. 2) Back in 1988 I received strange messages -- Cosmic "Transmissions" about End Times. I recalled the date being 2012, but when I checked (this morning), the time frame began in 2011 culminating in 2012. Sorry, but that's downright creepy to me.

OBL assassination

I stayed up into the wee hours last night watching throngs of US citizens, mostly college kids, celebrating our assassination of Osama bin Laden. I posted (a response) over on Facebook: I'm a little uneasy about all the US victory/happy dancing over OBL's assassination. I understand the vengeance motive and the feeling of justice being done, but from a Buddhist/karma perspective celebrating death is really begging for more trouble, as are all vendettas. After all, OBL was on his own vendetta (jihad) for previous perceived crimes by the US. Where does it end? Revenge and vendettas?

Yes, bible thumpers will point to an eye-for-eye and bin Laden was literally shot in the eye, so I guess that makes the murder really rewarding. Is that enough now? No, there are many who are saddened we didn't get to put the head on a stick out on the White House lawn, or serve it up like Herod did St. John's head (on a platter.) Can we just bring the friggin' troops home and and save those Trillions of dollars for people still suffering here in the United States. Do we have to prop up Afghanistan and/or Iraq, even if they don't want us?

AND, if this assassination was done with just a handful of Special Forces guys, why on earth did we spend TEN YEARS, thousand of US lives (more than killed originally in 9/11), and all those trillions anyway? okay, done now. Revel if you must.

Two Second Practice

I've been listening to a LOT of Pema Chodron audio lately. On one of the sessions she said, "We practice in two-second increments." This made me laugh out loud. But, it's so true. Anyone who has tried to change a habit or lose an addiction can surely relate to this. Cravings are not a day-by-day or even hour-by-hour thing in the beginning -- they can truly be every second, or feel that way. You can't stop thinking about the drug, the cigarette, the drink or just putting something in your mouth when you are trying to diet.

But, all habit change is this way. It's hard. So when I burst out, yet again, with an angry response (to traffic, to something -- ANYTHING -- that bothers me), I have to take a deep breath and gently remind myself, patience. This is the same as in the midst of meditation when the mind gets really busy and we simply notice our thoughts and say to ourselves, "thinking." We don't dwell on whether it's a good or bad thought. Just notice the thinking and put the attention back on the breath.

So, off the cushion, when anger or craving arises, just notice the craving. The truth is any thought or craving will pass in 90 seconds (not two), but you can move through it two seconds at a time by holding your seat -- just staying with the feelings. As Pema says:

Each time you sit still with the restlessness and heat of anger—neither acting it out nor repressing it—you are tamed and strengthened. Each time you act on the anger or suppress it, you are weakened; you become more and more like a walking target. Then, as the years go by, almost everything makes you mad.

(if interested, here is Pema's full explanation of Holding your Seat )

This is probably a good place to clarify that Pema and the mind training teachings do not ask us to "fix" ourselves. We come as we are. And, we do not dwell on failure, we celebrate victories -- no matter how small. Consider the success of your day rather than the failure of missing a session of formal sitting practice. It is important to recognize that mindfulness is in every step (to quote Thich Nat Hanh) and even while walking around, drinking coffee, talking to others, just remember, "I am practicing now."

This works with any effort to end an addiction or quit a habit. When the intense feelings arise and you think you can't stand it. We say, just endure for two more seconds. Take a deep breath. Then remember, in 90-seconds, this too will pass.

So when Pema says, we practice in two-second increments, she is exactly spot on.

A Kindred Spirit Author Interview!

Here's the AKS Interview in Albuquerque's Alibi for those who haven't seen the twenty postings on Fbook or Twitter ;) Oh, and VOTE for ej Morgan, #45 Q under Art and Lit for Best Local Author!! Do it NOW!!!
If not, then at least buy a book ;) OR eBook (on Amazon.) Someday I'll quit asking, but not yet. Dennis and I SIGNED books Saturday at Title Wave... what? You missed that, too?? We made videos. (no not sex vids, stupid idiotic book promotion videos) and posted them on YouTube. Click to enlarge our flyer:

Scroll down for "BUY" widget for either paperback, OR Kindle format.
ENJOY!!!
Eat, read, sleep ;) (I'll link to the videos soon.)

Equinox UPDATE:
As usual, a big fight broke out at the book signing. Peacenik ej and rightwing NutJob DD cannot see eye-to-eye.

AKS is an eBook!

Need I say more? for just a few bucks, you can own the hot, new eBook! or get a sample!! If you don't have a Kindle, no problem. You can get the FREE Kindle app for your PC, phone, iPad, whatever... then get a lengthy FREE sample of A Kindred Spirit!
(prologue, ALL of chapter 1, including art of PKD in his chair, and a bit of Chapter 2, too!!) Just do it! Thank you!! Oh, and please post what you think of the eBook!

A Change of Heart

Remember the 60s Peaceniks? Some of you are too young. Peace"Nik" (Niki) in my story, A Kindred Spirit, tried to recreate the feeling traveling around in her funky Westfalia van, searching for Peace, only to discover it's an inner journey. Pema Chodron, my Guru and favorite author, says ONLY a change of heart can provide ourselves and the world with peace.

Here's my "final answer" to the Million Dollar Question: What is the difference between passion and anger?

First, I have to make the case ;) I said on my Facebook note "No Help" that yelling for peace is not the answer. Even a Peacenik can't clobber someone with her peace sign to change the world situation.

And this fab story, about Angry Faces, told by Pema has stuck with me since I heard it years ago. A guy in prison has TV but no sound. He sees an angry white guy in KKK garb pointing his finger. Later he sees teenagers on a ship, red-faced, leaning over the ship rail screaming and waving Greenpeace signs. Finally, he sees scenes of Washington DC, the domed Capitol building, and inside men in suits with angry red faces, pounding their tables. The prison guard comes by and asks why he doesn't turn on the sound. The prisoner says no need -- doesn't matter if they're wearing KKK hats, peace signs or business suits, they all have the same angry faces.

So, we establish that passion and anger CAN be the same. Now, how are they different? Because anger starts when we harden our hearts. As long as everyone is outraged at everyone ELSE's beliefs or actions, there will always be war. Anger leads to red-faced fighting over our self-righteous points of view. But, it is possible to be Passionate about a change of heart... to opening our heart in a calm, rational way where we learn to LISTEN! And, I say the key is LISTENING not screaming. When I can stop and actually hear what you are saying, and just sit with it awhile, there is a chance we can find common ground. And I can get really passionate about that idea, without an iota of anger, my friend. Let's smoke the Peace Pipe! (yikes -- another case of how our real forefathers had a better idea than the angry red-faced pilgrims who came carrying guns.) And, with that, I'm off to Losar. Today is the Tibetan New Year, a good day to listen, learn and open my heart to new ideas. PEACE! better yet, Namaste!

Otaku

It's on PhilipKDickfans.com, my book blog, Facebook and now it's HERE: PKD Otaku!! The only remaining PKD 'zine with yours truly featured pages 17 - 22. Check it out! BTW, today is 2.11.2011 -- pretty cool. And this is posting... 10, 9, 8, at 1:11

Errata

Sorry, I accidently posted the book Errata link to Crypto a few days ago and have been told it screwed up people's RSS feeds when I removed it. So, this is a REAL post, but only to say the Errata for "A Kindred Spirit" is actually on the book blog and that link is: Errata for AKS I also put it in the title here.

This wonky effort will be over soon... it's a final proof/review of errors in the novel before I release the eBook later this month. Yes, exciting: an eBook. And, no Mark, I don't have plans yet for an audio book. I would need my small broadcasting bro to help with that, and he is "indisposed" or detained as it were ;)

Climate Change (aka Ground Hog Day)

I wish Al (Gore) had never used the term "global warming." Even though the planet is heating up from the greenhouse effect (something first discovered in the 1800's, not something Al invented like the Internet ;) the term "warming" is giving the uninformed the ammo they need to mock and dismiss the whole concept.

Monster snow storms and the Cat 5 Cyclone hitting Australia ARE the result of global warming. When arctic air hits tropical air streams, storms form. That was weather 101. Now, as the ocean and tropical jet streams become even warmer, and arctic air dips further south, storms become larger, and more dramatic. This will continue. And, like the flooding in Pakistan and Australia, there will be more coastal crisis as ocean and sea levels rise. Expect the worst, and sadly there's nothing we can do to stop it now. Experts say that even if we stopped fueling cars and emitting carbon dioxide now, what's in the atmosphere is enough to continue this effect for several years. And at the rate glaciers are melting, the damage appears done. BUT, even if you don't believe a word I said, or you think all this is normal cyclical patterns for Earth, the results are the same-- we're in for it. Sea levels ARE rising, storms ARE getting more intense and much larger, and the climate IS changing. The wild ride is here, and it's warmed up to all of ten degrees here in Albuquerque, New Mexico at midday. Last week fruit was freezing in Florida. Soon you won't need to pay to see mega disaster flicks -- just look out your window. "Whoopee, we're all gonna die!" (So, DD, Niki didn't have to chase down Doomsday, it comes to her door in the Sequel ;)

the Four Limitless Ones

I attended a talk on the Four Limitless Ones last night. I've heard Pema (Chodron) repeat this buddhist prayer/chant many times but never realized it contains what she also calls the Four Limitless qualities we might all aspire to: loving-kindness (Maitri), compassion, sympathetic joy and equanimity.

Happiness and the root of happiness is considered Maitri. Being free from suffering and the root of suffering is Compassion. Sympathetic joy helps us overcome jealousy at others' achievements and good fortune. Equanimity is the prayer that everyone might be free of passion, aggression and prejudice.

May all sentient beings enjoy happiness
and the root of happiness.

May we be free from suffering
and the root of suffering.

May we not be separated from
the great happiness devoid of suffering.

May we dwell in the great equanimity
free from passion, aggression, and prejudice.

Actually here is the most important concept about cultivating these qualities: "We start with the amount we have, no matter how limited it is, and we begin to nurture what we have, and then it will expand by itself until it's actually limitless." (Pema quote, from this page the Four and Maitri.)
I'll post more in a Facebook note, but wanted to include Buddha and the iPad here ;) (compliments of another buddhist blogger Buddha and the Big C.) This gal knows a little something about ALL the Limitless Ones, given her struggle with stage four breast cancer. Namaste!

Facebook 2.0

Oh, my... I almost emailed this link, a post called "Goodbye Facebook", to several of my real friends. Not Facebook "friends" but people I actually interact with all the time. Then I stopped. 1) I don't really enjoy being sent gobs of links all the time. I can't keep up with all the blogs and online sites I like to read, much less all the online articles that other people send. 2) I want this link where I can tweet it, FBook it and refer to it as often as I want. ** What LINK? ** Where is it?? ** hang on...

Little preface: I watched the Social Network movie, something I had been really anxious to watch. I was sure I would enjoy it because of Aaron Sorkin's writing, and the docu-drama aspect of the "real" Facebook story. BARF>>> PUKE >>> as the sophmores themselves might say. The story (real or imagined) was so idiotic I couldn't stand it. Then came the Golden Globes and it won the BEST PICTURE ?!?!?! Some say it will win several Oscars, too. So sad. Then I got a tweet from Jack Schafer at Salon with THE link. Vindication, I begin to scream. Someone else -- two of them, at least -- felt just like i did!

Facebook: Nothing more than "a cruel portrait of us: 500 million sentient people entrapped in the recent careless thoughts of a Harvard sophomore."

... we should all delete our Facebook accounts to protest invasion of our privacy and the stupidity of the site in general. Then, just like poster Nichol realized --
even down to her ending (which spoiler or not, you can read NOW.)

"...I’d really like to share this epiphany with my friends.

Hmm… now, how do I do that again? (with Facebook account deleted.) I guess I’ll tweet it. And can someone else share it on Facebook for me?" she says.

HA!! And thus, I blog. Oh, yeah, here's the LINK ;)

Beginner's Mind

This is a famous book by Shunryu Suzuki called "Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind." It's one of the first Buddhist books I owned in the early 1970s. One of Suzuki's first topics is posture. I bet I rolled my eyes back then at his incredibly detailed description of how to sit, and tilt, and hold our hands -- not to mention his paradoxical references. In my impatient youthful years, no wonder I could never truly get into Zen. All that sitting, which I found unbearably boring, and the incomprehensible koans. But I liked the idea of it enough to continue reading over the years, even when I wasn't sitting. Liked it enough to call myself ZenWoman when I needed a "handle" for Compuserve in 1979. (I discovered Compuserve while working at a TV station back then. First for research and later as a fun diversion.)

Anyway, now I find myself endlessly fascinated by the subtle nuances of how to sit for meditation or stand for yoga. I just posted a note about this on Facebook. I feel compelled to try and explain some of these aspects of Buddhism in hopes of demystifying it. I really hate to see beautiful, helpful practices like meditation and hatha yoga (the physical part of yoga) and T'ai Chi all lumped into some "woo woo" category or to go the way of Islam, where people actually begin to hate it.

I hope with President Obama's call for civility and for us to tone down the vitriolic rheteroic, we can all try. I know it's hard. Even in the midst of writing these pieces I felt the old urge to start name calling and blaming the fundamentalist factions for our problems. But I am part of the problem unless I try to shed light on my own practice, walk my own walk, and make some of my tools accessible to others. You never know when someone is ready and you know what "they" say: When the student is ready, the teacher will appear. We are all each others gurus.

Assault Weapons

I have tried not to get into controversial subjects -- politics, gun control, debates on God or Christianity -- because I am working on my judgmental nature and anger issues. The Tucson Tragedy has brought all of the above to the forefront. Instead of entering my own commentary on guns, I'm going to link to a favorite blog of mine, The Buddhist Blog . (You can see his other posts after you read the weapons one.)

James is able to convey these ideas in a calm, measured way that I have not yet achieved. Enjoy his post (s). Namaste!

New Year, New Computer (s)

It's 2011, my intention was to focus on spirituality, but instead I am drowning in technology. I now have four computers. FOUR! Each one tinier than the preceding one: an old desktop with it's new wide-screen monitor, a Vista laptop with whiz bang video card, iPad and now a 4G HTC android phone. Do I need all this? Maybe if I start a book tour this spring. After all three of them will "go with" for touring. The desktop is old, but I still like using a "real" keyboard and large screen when I'm home. I could dock my laptop to that stuff, couldn't I, and get rid of the old "box"? OH, and I bought one of those tiny portable HDs too, so I can back up the old hard drive -- all the more reason to make the laptop the main machine. I love the iPad and don't regret buying it all all. It's great for kicking back and reading online stuff, when the phone screen is too small. Some pages look like crap on the phone... my own included: www.AKSbook.com But the phone is fab for combining all my little handheld stuff into one contraption. It's not just a phone, but MP3, FM radio, mini TV, Skype-capable calling, a HOT Spot for the laptop and iPad, HiDef camcorder, mega pixel camera, little game machine and uses those SD cards to hold lots of music, videos and photos. It's too cool not to have! Wasn't this the goal when PDAs first came into our consciousness? One machine to do all things digital? So that makes me an e-Buddhist? But if I ever go to a cave for contemplation, how will I plug in all this stuff to recharge ;)