Crossing Nebraska

In the natural world, all living things are content with the power they are born with. The tree grows just large enough and converts just enough sunlight into usable energy that it might produce its seed and fulfill its reproductive calling. The squirrel possesses only what power it needs to gather its winter store and evade its most likely predators. The lion is endowed with just what power she needs to hunt the prey that will satisfy the immediate hunger of her and her cubs. In some species there are battles for exclusive reproductive rights within a herd or group. But whatever contest might be won is simply the outcome of what is. Those vying for such status are not off in the forest running laps and lifting stones in preparation for the big day. They fight, or they don’t. They prevail, or they don’t.  We humans, however, have lost track of what is enough. Having lost track of what is enough, our usual inclination is to want more and more, to want to be more and more. Simply sur...

As we were looking for a new home some years ago, we instantly became enamored of this established neighborhood with ample space between houses and an abundance of huge and beautiful trees. Sure, there’d be lots of leaves to rake, but the previous owners sweetened the deal with a monstrously powerful leaf blower they’d no longer need. We were sold! I didn’t actually use the big machine that first autumn. Leaves were already falling by the time I arrived, and I think I recall having some difficulty getting it started. Perhaps a little bit of my Zen sensibility about raking leaves the old fashioned way still held sway as well. Raking is good work—meditative and therapeutic! But the leaves just kept falling and falling and falling, and the list of other things in need of doing just kept growing. The Big Machine Now, if we were deeper in the woods, we’d likely eschew lawn maintenance altogether. We’d let the leaves pile up to become nesting places for animals and rich detritus for mushro...

The election is over. The people have spoken. Some, no doubt, are joyously celebrating the result, perhaps even praising God. Many, however, see a dark cloud hanging over our nation. An undeniable shift in the body politic has taken place—a shift that has many grieving profoundly what has been lost and deeply anxious for what may yet be lost. Count me amongst the latter. If I seem more composed than some others, it’s simply because I’ve done a fair amount of preparatory grieving already. No, I did not see what was coming. It’s just that I’m Buddhist, and Buddhists value equanimity. I knew that I wanted (needed?) to wake up after the declaration of the winner of this election and get on with living, regardless of the result. This image will signify posts in the Power, Practice, and Peace series Which is not to say that I don’t know what it feels like for those who are deeply grieving right now. I was and am horrified that women’s bodily autonomy has been stripped away—at great risk...

  Welcome to a blog within a blog! I first began writing Power, Practice, and Peace under a pseudonym while completing my first book. I published a number of pieces back then, but the project stalled as the publication of That Which We Already Know came to fruition. A recent review of those writings motivates me to now resurrect them and build on their foundation. Thus, look for Power, Practice, and Peace posts popping up here from time to time. I'll keep a running compilation of posts here . Perhaps I’ll also make them stand out by marking them with the following image—adapted from the banner image of that erstwhile pseudonymous blog. This image will signify posts in the Power, Practice, and Peace series   What is power? Is it something we have or lack? Do we enjoy it or fear it? How do various power differentials and dynamics play out in our personal and professional lives, our communities, our spiritual practices and sexual relations? How do they play out in the way we ...