Book Release

How To Be Certain & Confident

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There is a way to become certain and confident,–– Keep at it. Consistency breeds certainty and confidence. Keep showing up at the page to write and you will develop certainty and confidence in your writing. (You will feel certainty in your ability to do the work and confidence in your improved writing.) Keep training consistently in awakening compassion (with everyone) and you will gain certainty from this practice. (If you are compassionate only some of the time this will not generate certainty through the benefits experienced by such a practice. And, the benefits of consistency will create confidence.) A consistent … Continue reading →

What’s Next and Turning Back

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In late October my writing partner and I went away for a needed “fiction” writing retreat. I emphasize fiction because the writing momentum for my novel had nearly come to a screeching halt. Actually, it was more of a halt without the screech. I had gotten busy with editing my latest release The Zero Point Agreement: How To Be Who You Already Are.    (Available now!) So this blog is about opening up to the what’s next. But it is also about the value of turning back. How many times have you been on a trip, or on holiday and … Continue reading →

Talk To Me: Family Gatherings & Sacred Dialogue

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Many of us will gather with family this week. Artful conversation with our self and others can make for a safe and uplifting experience even in the more edgy encounters. Here I share with you an excerpt from my book, The Zero Point Agreement on sacred dialogue. It’s the stories we tell and the conversations we hold, and how we hold them, that determine our experiences of each other. In each conversation we hold with someone there is a story being told. When we let our conversations be more an exchange of stories rather than of ideas–something beautiful happens. “Everybody … Continue reading →

A Skeptic Awakening at the Foot of One Sage, 2.

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This is the next piece in the Venerable Geshe Lhundub Sopa’s introductory teachings, the “lessons before the lessons.” We are still on the verse taken from Nagarjuna, Letters to a Friend. After his teaching, I offer up a commentary, along with some exercises.  Whosoever was negligent previously But later became attentive and careful, Shines forth like the moon freed from clouds, Just like Nanda, Angulimala, Ajustastru, and Udayana  —Nagarjuna, Letters to a Friend, Verse 14 (Leslie Kawanura)   Making Use of Your Basic Intelligence Most of us have the opportunity for liberation because, unlike all other sentient beings, we humans have … Continue reading →

The Greatest Experience

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Staying true to a message of living meaningfully by bringing together the creative, spiritual and communal selves can be a challenge. The word “spiritual” works like a spell, casting assumptions and questions over people. People often assume when I say “spiritual” I mean religious. I do not. There are times I want to forfeit the word “spiritual” and exchange it for something more universally user-friendly. Then, any other mystical word invites similar responses. Transcendental? Divine? Metaphysical? Sacred? Should I go more secular in my efforts to express my enthusiasm in living a creatively meaningful life? — Secular humanist perhaps? How … Continue reading →

Six Signs of Suffering

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  “As long as we live in the misperception of being a separate entity, we encounter frustration, confusion, difficulties and turmoil.” –Ken McLeod, Wake Up to Your Life All of our suffering can be linked to the illusion of separation that we experience on a personal level. Every separation we “see” in the outside originates in some inner belief of separation. Although this original belief took root from some life experience (a narcissist parent, a trauma, a lack of intimacy or bonding as a child, abuse, neglect, etc.,) it has now become part of our inner landscape. When our history teaches … Continue reading →