It Is Only Mud!

I was going to stop at a nearby apple stand on the way to my doctor’s appointment, but was a wee bit tight on time. Thanksgiving would be missing something without my mom’s Dutch apple pie. It is my contribution to bring Michigan apples to Tennessee for the pies.

I had just loaded my precious […]

5 Reflections

“A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words.” ~ C.S. Lewis.

Those words were shared by me at the end of a tearful conversation with a dear friend. My friend was remorseful for having offended a family member. The […]

Upekka

You have heard it said to be careful what you pray for. This past Tuesday evening, as our Dharma “Path of Clear Light” class was coming to an end, I asked for specific instructions around the practice of Upekka. Upekka is the Buddhist practice of equanimity.

John Orr’s clarification of the Upekka practice, […]

Dust!

When I saw this image on someone’s Facebook page, I knew there was a blog coming….

In the several decades I have been involved in what used to be called Alternative Medicine, but is now most often considered Functional Medicine, I would marvel at how people approached something new. One acupuncture treatment; does […]

If and When

“Happiness can be found, even in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light.” ~ Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

and

“When we have accessed the peace that is ever present in our self under all circumstances, the body, mind, and world are profoundly affected, and, in […]

Hey Ma Durga

I wrote this poem a few days ago while I at the 2018 Deep Spring Meditation Center retreat at Oakwood Retreat Center.

Vipassana

V-vast are the stories I-incessant the grasping, clinging, and aversion P-passing away; what passes away A-and where does “it” go? S-Silence, stillness, smiling or sometimes sobbing S-Sitting, stepping, satiating A-Ananda, Hey Ma […]

Retreat Reminiscence – Heading Home

As Claudia and I are heading home today, it seems appropriate to close my retreat reminiscence posts with a visit to Still Waters. I went to Still Waters for the first time in December of 1995. We are so blessed to have Delcy Kuhlman’s vision of a space dedicated to contemplation right here at Still […]

Retreat Reminiscence – Friday

Phenomenal Retreat is the review of Oakwood Retreat Center in the fall of 2015.

Oakwood Retreat Center is a wonderful property, and one of my most sweet memories is hearing the migrating song birds as they gathered in the woods near the meditation hall.

Being able to spend time in nature is one […]

Retreat Reminiscence – Thursday

November, 2014, we were at Camp Geneva in Holland, Michigan. It was an amazingly gorgeous setting on the shores of Lake Michigan.

One of my most tender memories was of sharing a room with Claudia and Wayne. Claudia and I have been roommates many years, but Wayne was with us this time because he […]

Retreat Reminiscence -Tuesday

While on retreat, stuff comes up. While it is common to think what comes up is about someone or something else, it is always coming from within. With a bit of kindness, awareness can expand, leaving a space of love and gratitude.

The October, 2013, retreat in Howell, Michigan, presented me with roommate stuff. […]