This post, based on a review of the book, The Swerve by Stephen Greenblatt, carries forward a similar theme as the last post: Madness at the Gates of the City. It is again not a book about Buddhism, but for me addresses some important issues for…
This post is inspired by a book entitled, Madness at the Gates of the City, the Myth of American Innocence, by Barry Spector, published in 2010. It is not a book about Buddhism, but the author does point to the religion as a helpful social…
This article is closely linked with the last post, The End of Metaphysics, which addressed the traditional Buddhist belief system based on the doctrine of reincarnation – that karma perpetuates the round of samsara across lifetimes, and that the alternate existence of nirvana is the…
There is a wide-ranging discussion on the web and elsewhere these days, regarding the traditional metaphysical views of karma, rebirth, and nirvana. These views are being called into question by numerous western Buddhist scholars and practitioners. A “non-traditional” view is arising, sometimes under the banner…
Taking cues from the last post on young Kalu Rinpoche and reflecting on the changes he is asking for within his tradition, this post explores the tulku system, of which he is a prime beneficiary. This system unique to Tibetan Buddhsim, provides for the continuity…
I just completed a weekend program led by the 20 year old Kalu Rinpoche, held at Kagyu Thegchen Ling, the 35 year old Honolulu Shangpa Kagyu Dharma center. Rinpoche has been on a world tour these past two years, and is clearly causing a stir…
While preparing a new article to organically follow my last post on the Four Noble Truths, I decided to step back and reflect on what I was experiencing. I am digging deeper into the current discourse of how Buddhism is intersecting with our modern world.…
Of all the Buddha’s teachings, the four noble truths are perhaps the best known. They were the Buddha’s first utterance after his enlightenment and spoken to his original five disciples. They are thus at the core of his message that shook the world. The understanding…
This post marks the beginning of a new chapter in this blog. My trip to S.E. Asia earlier this year is fading to the background, and with it many of the Asian Buddhist impressions that influenced my writing. Going forward, I am finding an interest…
As secular humanists we have been so successful at stripping away the trappings of ritual and fixed belief systems that I feel we are living in a kind of rarefied vacuum – a refuge where nothing can get to us. We’re proud of our accomplishment,…
Mind ControlThe phrase, “mind control” has many meanings. From…
The Red PillHave you taken the red pill, or are…
E.T. Disclosure?The subject of extra-terrestrial life, UFO’s, and the…
Global SettlementThis post explores behind the scenes negotiations that…
Financial TyrannyThis post focuses on an important series of…Copyright © 2011 All rights reserved
