contemplation

The Misuses of Mindfulness

Mindfulness has enjoyed a stellar career in the last 30 years.  Rooted in Buddhist meditation, mindfulness is now widely practiced in schools, hospitals, companies, and therapy offices across North America.  This blooming popularity stems from its reputation as a portal to inner stillness, a balm that soothes the stress of modern life.  Scientists have gathered compelling evidence that […]

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Each Day I Begin Again

There was a time when birthdays were about cakes, balloons, grainy photographs of toothless children. A while later, birthdays were about friends, campfires, beer-soaked nights at bars. With the passing years, birthdays become more subdued, more in keeping with the mundane circuit of life. Youthful celebration gives way to pensive reflection. Birthdays are signposts on

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I Love Coffee, and By That Very Fact, The World

Thomas Merton once wrote: “I love beer, and, by that very fact, the world.” This statement is at once whimsical and puzzling.  How does a fondness for pale ale stray into a confession of love for the world?  Perhaps Merton suggests a fundamental relationship between the mundane and the sublime, the miniscule and the cosmical.  Ask a brewer

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Fire-Breathing (For Wildfires)

Inhale acrid smoke flying embers the bodies of trees particles of charred soil manic flames bourne of greed hazy blindness swirling confusion madness driven mad anguish multiplying anguish without beginning without end this searing pain. Exhale great vow immense oceans cool dharma rain showers of beneficence soothing balm poured from brokenness given from poverty unremitting

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Contemplation. . . Tonic or Placebo?

Today, my doctoral supervisor asked me: “what is the purpose of contemplative practice in the midst of this pandemic?”  I answered: “To help us remain upright amidst great disruption.”  Later, I reviewed this extemporaneous reply and decided that it could use some elaboration.  In this blog post, I consider what contemplative practice offers in trying times, how awareness

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