by Keith Knapp I walked that early morning path of stillness and embraced that felt comfort of expansive solitude, the moist air, and wind inspired whispering trees. Looking left and right, what should I see, but two shadows there beside me. Walking in lock step. How could this be, how could this be? It justContinue reading “The Earth, Sun, Moon, and Me”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Zen Cooking Lesson: Candescent Carrots
Carrots are extraordinarily versatile root vegetables. They can be used raw in salads, cooked into soups and stews, mashed into pancakes, and entwined into a host of other dishes. Recipes that involve carrots will describe the amounts needed and the size or shape to make with them. Some books are adorned with colorful arrangements ofContinue reading “Zen Cooking Lesson: Candescent Carrots”
What is real Yoga?
People were suffering long ago. People are suffering today. Old age is suffering. Sickness, the loss of loved ones, our own impending death – these all point us to question what our life is about. While we can look for philosophical or religious answers to the deep questions of “why am I breathing?”, yoga imploresContinue reading “What is real Yoga?”
Sleep – Buddhist and Yogic Perspectives
Several years ago, I was seeing a Naturopathic doctor who recommended that I get at least 9 hours of sleep every night. At that time, I was struggling with poor health that included dangerously low levels of white and red blood cells, as well as low platelets. My energy was also very low. Allopathic DoctorsContinue reading “Sleep – Buddhist and Yogic Perspectives”
“Communities of We”: Where Now? (by Keith Knapp)
A Robert Johnson crossroads dilemma, perhaps, has been reached or may soon come for many that could result in a slipping back into the reestablishment of our habitual definition of community as “us” and “them” or “it”. A definition fed by decades of illusionary support and planetary sustenance. Or it could lead onto an entirely different path. A path that is unknown and feels difficult and scary, but when done as a community may result in worldwide rewards. Like a flock of birds can we turn in mass in the direction of the “World of We”? Let’s take flight and gather in our common unity, hold on tightly, and lean into it time and time again.
No Self in America – Recognizing Race
Not every teaching the Buddha gave had universal application. Some of it was meant only for certain people, and in certain times. The Buddha was primarily concerned with helping others to wake up to the reality of suffering and in providing practitioners with the means to liberate themselves from suffering. All of the stories in the Pali Cannon were offered on specific occasions and at specific times and were in response to the needs of individuals or the community at that time.
“Conversion” to Buddhism
“How did you feel about transferring from one religion to another? Have you found any conflicts between the two religions? What have you learned from Zen Buddhism in contrast to Catholicism?” These were questions asked of me by a student in my World Religions class at the Des Moines Area Community College. I hope thatContinue reading ““Conversion” to Buddhism”
Can a Buddhist Become a Marine?
My nephew is in the R.O.T.C. program at University of California, San Diego. He is planning to enter the Navy afterwards and possibly be a fighter pilot. Like his grandfather, his time in the service gives him a full ride, an option that makes total sense when money appears to be scarce. My nephew sharedContinue reading “Can a Buddhist Become a Marine?”
The Tree of Life
In light of yet another round of shootings, this time at the Tree of Life synagogue in Pittsburgh killing 11, and in the African American community in Jeffersontown, Kentucky killing 2, what is a Buddhist response? How do we make sense of the level of hate that we are witnessing in our country? What shouldContinue reading “The Tree of Life”
Shut Up
What is the role of silence in Zen?
