Gratitude unlocks the fullness of life. It turns what we have into enough, and more. It turns denial into acceptance, chaos to order, confusion to clarity. It can turn a meal into a feast, a house into a home, a stranger into a friend. Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.
- Melody Beattie

Thanks to the Dharma Bum Temple, Life Program friends and guides, Jeff, Maggie, Ken and all the things big and small, seen and unseen that transforms a 2nd Avenue loft into a living oasis for encountering the Teachings and practice!  Jai Mitra!  To awakening the inner Dharma Bum in us all!

"The gift of the Dharma excels all gifts..."

Take good, good care everyone...

Wishing, wishing you well,
Jon

"Come To Me"

I will always love you no matter what
No matter where you go or what you do
And knowing you
You're gonna have to do things you're own way
And that's okay
So be free, spread your wings
And promise me just one thing...

If you ever need a place to cry
Baby, come to me
Come to me
I've always known that you were born to fly
But you can come to me
If the world breaks your heart
No matter where on Earth you are
You can come to me

Don't walk around with the world on you're shoulders
And you're highest hopes laying on the ground
I know you think you've gotta try to be my hero
But dont you know the stars you wish upon they fall its true
But I still belive in you

If you ever need a place to cry
Baby, come to me
Come to me
I've always known that you were born to fly
But you can come to me
If the world breaks your heart
No matter where on Earth you are
You can come to me

And the seven sea's you sail
All the winding road you're on
Leave you lost and feeling all alone
Let my heart be your beacon home

If you ever need a place to cry
Baby, come to me
Come to me
I've always known that you were born to fly
But you can come to me
When the world breaks your heart
No matter where on Earth you are
You can come to me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XG_4cOIBmXM

We arrive on a hot Sunday morning at Horse of the Sun Ranch, home of Enso meditation center.  The sounds of neighing horses, crowing roosters, and gobbling turkeys greet us, and remind me of my home so far away.  The scenery is beautiful; boulder strewn mountains, green pines and other trees contrasting dry grasses and plants, quaint houses, and happy horses everywhere.  Not to mention the fresh air, so dry my sinuses begin to whistle. :)  Enso is a rugged, interesting place, and feels welcoming.  We've a small group this morning, all energized since we didn't have to wake too early this time.  After a chat about meditating animals and such we get at it.  The meditation room is zen, but not too zen.  By that I mean it is simple, yet it has character; colorful rugs, calligraphy, a lovely altar, books, books, and more books, etc...  The temperature is comfortable and the air a little humid; my sinuses are happy!  The room is set up with the zafus at the edges of the rug so everyone faces in, toward each other.  I like this set-up, it feels communal, natural.  Ken rings the meditation bell and we begin our first sit for the day.  Again I hear the horses neighing and whinnying, content, even in the hot sun.  And the rooster, still crowing, even though it's late morning by now.  And the tom gobbling away; I can picture his wattle swinging about.  The familiar sounds put me in a good state of mind.  I'm content on my zafu, relaxing with my breathe, glad to be with my sangha, doing what we do.  After a short sit Ken signals time for a walking meditation.  I quickly slather my skin with some SPF and don my big hat.  Now protected from the sun I love so much I meet the others in the front yard.  We walk, silently, single file, with breath taking scenery in all directions.  This is the life, simple and serene!  Ray and Japhy would fit right in!  After our little walk about we head back in and sit a while longer.  The reprieve from the heat is nice and we settle in, back to our breathing, calm minds, together in zazen.  I repeat silently to myself “gate, gate, paragate, parasamgate, Bodhi-svaha” to keep my focus.  The words feel so natural to me now.  It seems like no time passes before the bell rings again.  Ken informs us we will now hike to the stream to meditate there.  We each grab a zafu and a bottle of water.  From now until after lunch we are silent.  It’s hard, even for me, not to converse about the neat little things I see.  We start off towards the stream.  Walking past all the stables it’s obvious the horses are interested in the visitors.  They watch and whinny and stir.  I resist the temptation to go pet one of their soft noses.  Hiking along the trail feels nice.  I’m mindful of my surroundings and glad for the movement.  Tromping through the dirt and rocks there is so much to be thankful for; earth, sangha, bird songs, butterflies, flowers…  Soon we come to a parking area at the trail head that leads to the stream.  There’s a car parked with the radio playing loud and a couple of people looking at the trail map.  I can’t help but wonder what they think when they see our group approaching.  Maybe something like “Who are these weirdoes walking in a single file line, all carrying pillows?” J  We press on toward our destination, carefully navigating the trail and avoiding manure.  Before long I hear the trickling of water and I know the stream is close.  My first glimpse of the stream is magical, and a little hummingbird hovers just above the water.  I try to point him out to Phillip but I’m not sure if he sees.  We continue on until we reach our spot.  Nice shade, lush plants, and the small stream welcome us to relax.  Ken reminds us to be mindful of our surroundings as there was a recent rattlesnake sighting.  I pick a spot as close to the stream as I can get and position my zafu.  Under the protective shade the weather is just perfect.  The stream sings it’s happy song while water striders dance along the surface.  Judging by the shadows on the streambed you’d think these little striders have giant feet.  But it’s just an optical illusion caused by the water bending the light.  Things are not what they seem!  A little spider reminds me of this, too.   I see him with his long legs, awkwardly ambling up a branch of overgrown grass.  Then he stops, stretching out his legs and getting comfy and practically disappears.  He blends right in with the grass; they are one.  Had I not seen him before he stopped moving I would never have known he was there.  This little oasis is wonderful!  There are lessons to be learned if one just pays attention.  I enjoy the sounds of the water and the birds singing and the sights of flowers, the occasional fish, and dragon flies.  It’s so easy to be still in this place.  The forest is calming, yet so brilliantly alive.  I believe I could sit here all day.  But that is not the plan.  It’s time now to head back indoors.  I give thanks to the forest.  On the walk back I remain mindful but scour the ground for a rattlesnake.  I really want to see one!  But the tannish gold color of the dried and overgrown grass is the perfect camouflage.  Even though we probably walk past many I never see one.  As we pass through the gate back to the ranch we are acknowledged by several barking dogs, one of which resembles a miniature polar bear and I wonder how he survives in this heat with his massive coat.  We each give him a little pat as we pass by and he seems pleased.  The horses don’t seem as interested as we pass by the second time.  But I’m still just as interested in them.  Such magnificent creatures, although they look a little funny in their protective masks.  Better that than a swarm of flies on their eyes though.  As we enter the house Ken lets us know we can talk only as necessary to prepare lunch.  Quietly and rather efficiently we prepare the meal.  I’m thankful that it doesn’t take long at all.  We have salad, tortilla chips and salsa, watermelon, cantaloupe, and lentils.  It is absolutely delicious and I eat a lot.  Phillip gives me a surprised look when I sit down with my 4^th plate of food.  After a leisurely and quiet lunch we reconvene in the meditation room for a final sit.  This session is not so easy.  The walk in the heat and the large meal are taking their toll.  I try not to “sleepitate”.  The room begins to warm up which doesn’t help.  Just in time Ken gets up and turns on the air.  Ah!  I’m good now and make it through without dosing off.  But I am glad when I hear the bell to signal the end of our sit.  Thinking our day is over I begin to gather my belongings.  Then I realize the guys are outside waiting for me (and a fellow Dharma Bum who was either also confused or taking advantage of my confusion) for a final walking meditation.  Oops!  We fall in line, Ken leading with a black cat on his shoulder.  We take the same short path as the first walking meditation in the morning.  Again I take in the beautiful scenery and I’m so thankful to have had this wonderful experience in this amazing place.  Meditating in nature has a feeling all its own, a feeling I realize I want more of.  Distractions are still there but different and some easier to overlook.  Communion with the earth is a grand thing!  We gather one final time in the meditation room and chat about our day.  Everyone seems to have had a great time and we give our thanks to Ken for sharing his wonderful space.  I bow at the altar before I leave, knowing I will return.  Until next time, Namaste! 

Thoughts on Mindfulness:
I was helping a friend with a problem.  He was angry, frustrated, irritated and he had to go home to look for a receipt.  He pulled his house apart but didn't find it.  The next day, we worked on the problem and solved it.  He was now happy and calm.  Totally at peace.  He returned home and looked for the receipt.  He found it easily and quickly.  When he was at dis-ease, he could not locate the receipt.  When he was at ease, the receipt appeared.  The receipt didn't move.  His mind is the only thing that changed. 
 
Amituofo:
At the retreat at the temple in Irvine, I picked up a free Amituofo CD.  I have it playing on repeat and I enjoy it so much.  It has been on repeat for weeks now.  I play it in the morning while cooking breakfast and in the evening while cooking and eating dinner.  It is great background music while reading a book or doing household chores.  I am listening to it while I type this.  When I hear the chant I am at peace.
 
Food Redistribution:
We left the temple with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and bags of bagels and headed out on foot to feed the hungry.  We went in a new direction, further east than usual and encountered a much rougher crowd.  We typically go towards the post office where the people seem to be waiting on hand outs and are expecting people like us to arrive.  The new area we went to was around 16th & Market.  The people there were living in tents or makeshift shelters.  My feeling was that this area was a lot tougher for the people we met and that they had been on the street longer. The people seemed angry and desperate, more so than around the post office.  There was less hope here. 
 
We encountered two women, both of whom clearly have not bathed in a very long time.  They had an open bottle of vodka that they were drinking straight.  I walked over to them and asked if they wanted a sandwich.  One women looked at me and said "No, I don't need a sandwich.  I need a prayer."  I asked her if she wanted me to pray with her and she said yes.  She put down the bottle of vodka and five of us held hands and knelt to pray.  I recited the Third Step Prayer from Alcoholics Anonymous, which is: God, I offer myself to Thy, to build with me and do with me as Thou wilt.  Relieve me of the bondage of self that I may better do Thy will.  Take away my difficulties that victory over them may bare witness to those I would help of Thy Power, Thy Love and Thy Way of Life.  May I do Thy will always.  Amen."
 
The two women then told us their story about alcoholism and street violence.  "I'm going into battle and I need a prayer" she told me.  I asked her, in my naive way, if she could simply apologize for what she had done.  Her friend told me "This is the street, man. Its eye for an eye out here."  
 
As I sat and listened I was trying to be mindful and present; to listen to her words as she spoke about her situation and the "battle" she was about to enter.  She was full of fear, but she knew she had to face the person she had wronged and that as a result she would be beaten.  I wanted to help, but all I had to offer was a sandwich and a prayer.
 
~ A Dharma Bum 
 
 

Gordon and Edna from the San Diego Metropolitan Correctional Center visited the Dharma Bums Life Program on Thursday, Aug. 6th to discuss volunteering opportunities with their organization.  They shared about the benefits of sharing mindfulness and meditation with those in prison, and encouraged us to consider volunteering.  Plans are underway to organize a tour of the facility on Union Street. 

Would you like to join us to tour the MCC and/or be on the volunteer list to offer meditation as part of our outreach work?

Stay tuned for more details! 

Contact the Dharma Bum Temple for more information.

Attachments:

Ceiling creaking, mind creaking
Creaking
                         Creaking
No creaking

Fan humming, mind humming
Humming
                         Humming
No humming

Shoulder aching, Mind aching
Aching,
                          aching,

no aching 

car horn honking, mind honking,
honking
                          honking
no honking

Filles Francaises parlant, éspirit parlant
parlant,
                          parlant,
pas parlant

Sirens pitch bending, mind bending
Bending
                          bending,
No bending

Mosquito biting, mind biting
biting

                         biting  
no biting

Pierre suffering, mind suffering
Suffering,
                          suffering
No suffering

Visions dancing, mind dancing,
dancing
                          dancing,
no dancing. 

Body calming, mind calming,
calming
                          calming
no calming

Eyes opening, mind opening
Opening
                          opening,
no opening

Thoughts ending, mind ending
Ending,
                          ending
No ending. 

 
I pulled into my favorite "secret" parking spot.  It is this small self-pay lot that is always empty and they never check to see if you have paid.  I have been parking there for years and very seldom even think about paying.  I always say to myself that if I ever get a parking ticket the amount will be far less than if I paid for parking every time I parked in that lot over the years.  As I walked away from my car, without paying, it occurred to me that I was stealing.  The parking lot clearly tells me to pay to park.  By not paying I am stealing from the parking lot and whomever owns it.  Remembering the precept, I rolled up $5 and stuck it in the slot.
 
After parking and paying, I met my boyfriend for dinner. The service was bizarrely horrible; almost to the point that you had to wonder if it was intentional.  We were in good humor, so we took each interaction with our server with good cheer, at least at the beginning of the meal. Remembering the precept of not killing, I ordered the pad thai without meat.  The server told me it would be $3 more for tofu.  Odd, I thought. Tofu is more expensive than chicken.  I didn't take meat in my soup or my entree, both of which became more expensive than my carnivorous date.  It was becoming an expensive night to keep the precepts.
 
Towards the end of the meal, we had four different waiters working our table and we were the only customers in the restaurant.  My date ordered an entre with no rice and extra veggies.  The order came with extra rice, no veggies.  At that point we just laughed.  Finally, the manager stopped by and said with a smile "How is everything tonight? Did you get the extra veggies?  I put a special note on your order."  Instinct told me first to tell him the truth, that the food was slow, the tofu was over priced, the service was horrible, the food didn't even taste good, and no, we didn't get extra veggies.  Quickly, my mind said "Be nice" and I was about to say "Everything was wonderful, thank you very much!"  But the precept about not lying flashed in my mind.  To say something negative wasn't what I wanted to do and to say something positive would have been lying. He asked if we got extra veggies and truthfully, we did not get extra veggies. I looked at the waiter and the only think that came out was "eh" and then I turned to my date, smiled and then sort of danced my eyes up at the ceiling and around the restaurant to avoid eye contact with the manager.  After the manager left, my date looked at me and said "That was awkward. What's up?"  "Precepts," I told him, "No lying." 
 
~ A Dharma Bum 
 

The discussion at the Dharma Bum Temple Monday night was centered around the five precepts, and what we have been doing to follow them since the start of the program.  Since I have been going to the temple, I have noticed a lot of people asking the same questions about the precepts, and those questions have been spinning in my mind as well.  The five precepts seem very easy and straightforward, but in the midst of a complex urban techno-consumption California metropolis, simple instructions become complicated very quickly.  Jeff brought up the point of remembering the Buddha’s central teaching when we find the precepts to be a bit vague, instead of picking them apart like lawyers looking for a legal loophole.  The Buddha’s central teaching was to be mindful of every situation, and look at your role in the creation of that situation.  I think if we can keep in mind the Buddha, his teaching, and his intentions, it becomes easier to see if we are really acting in accordance with the precepts.  At his practice centers, Thich Naht Hanh calls the five precepts “the five mindfulness practices”, and I like his rewording.  These are not commandments.  These are not about “thou shalt not”.  These are not rules that we must obey.  These are beneficial practices, dry stepping stones on the muddy path to enlightenment.

    A big question for American would-be Buddhists is whether or not to go vegetarian.  After coming into the practice, I knew that eating meat was in all likelihood an act of killing and a violation of the precepts, but I had been eating fatty, beefy fast food twice a day since I was in high school.  One lunch I was sitting in front of my Big Carl sandwich with fries and Dr. Pepper, a meal I ate about three times a week. When I really paid attention, I realized that the taste of the beef, cheese and lettuce blinded me to the bodily sensations of eating a cheeseburger.  The food-coma, the sluggishness: might these not be intrinsic to the experience of eating?  I ate a few vegetarian meals, which left my taste-buds a bit unsatisfied, but for the hours following I experienced a renewed sense of energy.  After that, the rule didn’t matter much, I simply ate a vegetarian diet because I was mindful of the experience of eating, and I changed my way of thinking about the significance of eating in general.  I had been eating for sensual pleasure instead of healthy bodily function.  I had been pouring perfume in my gas tank.

I had a similar experience with the precept concerning intoxicants and heedlessness.  I drank my favorite drink, a whiskey on the rocks, but tried to do it as mindfully as I could.  My breathing got faster, and I felt a bit dizzy even after that first drink.  No more alcohol!  More recently, my struggle has been with caffeine.  I have been hooked on soda pop since I was about eight years old, and I always had a buzz from elementary school all the way through my college final exams.  Since starting my practice, I quit cigarettes, marijuana, drinking, eating meat, and caffeine all at once.  I thought all this made me “pure”, and I was holding myself to a standard of perfection.  Perfectionism turns out to be a double-edged sword.  About a month ago, I met an amazing “walking-mahayana-sutra” travelling Vietnamese Catholic-turned-Buddhist nun named Ajahn Metta.  She had a strong presence, and appeared to be actualized in her life as a travelling nun.  Ajahn, Jeff, Maggie, and I sat talking in Buddha For You one morning and Ajahn said she needed to go get a cup of coffee!  She called it “her addiction” with a smile, a habit left from her days doing office work.  Since then, I have been drinking strong-brewed green tea in the morning to help me wake up a bit, and I found that I am much more agreeable and mindful doing my desk work with a slight buzz than I would be during painful withdrawals.

Since beginning my practice, I have been using sitting meditation as a sort of pressure barometer, seeing if I’m being too hard on myself or just plain lazy.  Trying to quit drinking caffeine during months of intense nicotine withdrawals might have been an instance of pulling my string a bit too tight.  I know I am lifetimes away from enlightenment, and I have faith that the Buddha found what he was seeking.  I look at the precepts as a map that keeps me from straying from the path, roadmarkers leading the way through the dense jungle of American city life.  I don’t see them as electrical fences blocking off the jungle, shocking me as I stray, because that would just scare me into the center of the road, afraid to explore the nature of my own suffering.  When I stray, I allow myself to stray, know that I strayed, and then look at the map and realize that the guide who drew it up knew the path better than I know the back of my own hand.  

I received a call from a friend who is suffering.  She is dealing with the man in her life who is also suffering, and he deals with his suffering by thrusting it upon others.  In short, he emotionally tortures her and drives her crazy with his insecurity and fear. She told me that she got a call from him and he pulled the same old stuff, which always causes her to spin on what he said all night long.  His words will circle in her head constantly for hours upon hours like a hampster on a wheel.  This time it was different.  She said "I thought of you and what you told me about meditation.  I kept telling my self to stop thinking these thoughts and to let my mind go blank. When the thoughts came in I would try to let them go. I was laying awake in bed telling myself not to think about it and to just go to sleep."  This is someone who was never open to meditation, but by me sharing my personal stories about my trip to the Zen Center and my nights at the Temple, a little bit of the Dharma was shared with her and she was able to incorporate it in her own life when she was in need.    
 
~ A Dharma Bum
 

My Struggle with the 5 Precepts
 
Five Precepts
 

This Dharma Bum Temple building was built in 1924 and the local historian has said it used to sleep chinese workers, since this was old chinatown. In 2005, a couple of young western guys met in a zen monastery in Taiwan and talked about a place in America that people could learn Buddhism and practice meditation, but feel comfortable in their own culture. After many causes and conditions, in the end of 2006, the Dharma Bum Temple was opened. It was initially called the Dharma Bum Center, which seemed to be a fitting name. There were 3 of us, we all thought Buddhism was cool, we practiced, studied, lived and worked around Buddhism. We liked Buddhism, bob Dylan and Jack Kerouac. We had romantic fantasies about being a monk or traveling the world in Buddhist monasteries, but we knew our karma had us born here in the USA, and so this is where we would begin our path of propagating the dharma. We had very traditional views about Buddhism, but also saw that as Buddhism always had historically, that as it enters a new culture, it adapts to that new culture. We had no sign, no flag, charged no money and to this day, the neighbors don’t even know we are here. People find us and when they do, it seems to be a special place. We had our official opening New Years Eve heading into 2007. There was tea and sake and many joyous people. We were heading into a journey that we knew would change our lives forever. As midnight came near, we all piled into the 2^nd floor zendo, and were lead in a meditation by Eddie Santiago, officially welcoming in the Dharma Bum Center to San Diego. We started off the year with some Buddhist classes, some meditation and that was it. People showed up, we added more classes. More people showed up, we added more classes. Throughout 2007 we hosted many dharma teachers, all with their own style and presentation of Buddhism. What we wanted was simply a way for westerners to feel comfortable learning about Buddhism. It was in English, taking place in essentially a cool downtown loft, and there was no pressure to bow, chant, light incense, or wear robes. It was the Dharma Bum Center and it was perfect. We simply wanted a place for people in to learn Buddhism and this was it. We had seen so many western people leave other Buddhist temples, mainly due to their level of uncomfort in the cultural temple. 2007 was a beautiful year filled with teachers and practitioners, Dharma Bums everywhere. At the end of 2007, we were faced with the possibility of “expanding the Dharma Bum Center”…The reality was, we were at maximum capacity. The zendo was filled each night, and the Buddhist classes were well attended each night. And this was all without the website or sign ever existing. So when the opportunity came to expand, we decided to go for it…Unfortunately, when the renovation of an old hotel which was going to be the new home of the Dharma Bum Center, did not work so well, we were stuck. We spent a year and over $100,000 to renovate the hotel, but all the money in the world and all the space in the world, could not replace the heart of the Dharma Bum Center. When we moved in the spring of 2008 into the old hotel, it was no longer the Dharma Bum Center and us ignorant attached Buddhists, missed the Dharma Bum Center. We wanted the old way, the free meditation, the free dharma classes, the intimate feeling of Sangha, no pressure to join, no sign, no memberships, etc. We just wanted to live and practice as Dharma Bums. After a series of pretty heavy causes and conditions and after 6 months in a different space, in September of 2008, we returned home. We learned many valuable lessons during this experience. Most important is to remember your initial intention and always act with honesty and integrity. So when we returned, we decided to change the name to The Dharma Bum Temple. No, it did not end up on a sign and we are back where still the neighbors do not know we are here. It was important to us to evolve a bit and go deeper with our practice. It was no longer about sitting and talking about Buddhism, it was about practicing Buddhism. The Six Perfections of Generosity, Morality, Patience, Diligence, Concentration and Wisdom became the foundation for the . Since we have come back home in September of 2008, we have seen people arrive here just as before…They are seeking the wisdom and compassion that Buddhism teaches. They come here as people who suffer from the stress and anxiety that is caused by the reaction to the human condition. It is our belief that to talk about Buddhism is not enough, Buddhism must be practiced. It must be put into action in every day life. We liked Kerouac and called it the Dharma Bum Center in the early days, but a Temple is not a place to drink, smoke and talk mindlessly about Buddhism.  A temple is a place where with a clear mind one sits in meditation and then is surrounded by Sangha who encourage each other support each other to practice Buddhism. So, we practice….The Dharma Bum Temple is a home and place of refuge for all who enter. It is supported by the community and respected as a place grounded in legitimate practice, based on the teachings of the Six Paramitas. There is the practice of all forms of Buddhism here, but behind each practice is the ultimate teacher, Siddhartha Gautama, the Original Dharma Bum…

Attachments:

Living Practice

One of the things that’s attracted me to Buddhism is its living quality.  It is grounded in traditions while being open to innovation, experimentation and change---or so I think?!?  Recently I read a quote that said, “Our own lives are the instrument with which we experiment with truth." (Thich Nhat Hanh)  The open-ended “check it out and see for yourself” attitude of the Dharma struck a chord in my often doubting mind.  Perhaps it was my ego feeling taunted by such a subtle, unconditioned invitation --- a no strings attached kinda baptism of sorts.  “It’s self-evident…the convincing will happen on its own” my mind thought.

- - - - - 

I feel fortunate to be alive in such as time to witness the Dharma’s emergence --- in all of its forms --- here in the “Belly of the Beast.”   I want to develop an appreciation for Dharma’s vast traditions and celebrate the emerging practices arising from our American culture to bring greater sanity into our lives.  Dharma rain on this desert.

- - - - -

Living Practice + Buddha Badges

Helping out with Anoki’s project was inspiring.  Such a creative way of weaving Dharma into everyday life and for the benefit of others.  Working for the sake of others, the “no trace” trace, adding another link to the chain of countless causes and effects as he explained, button making as meditation, really?----ingenious!  Dharma expression.  When I am present enough to catch glimpses of it, it’s an inspired sight.   I think it’s dharma freestylin’ and winning the battle.  One breath, one button, one break(samsara)beat at a time.  The Buddha Badges experience showed me the creative, living quality of Dharma practice.  It stretches me to release expectations, to open up to more possibilities for what Dharma practice looks like. 

Living practices
Creative liberation
Rooting dharma here  

What's up Dharma Bums,

Jeff's sharing tonight about the "history" of the Dharma Bum space/center/temple helped me to see with a bit more clarity what this whole thing is about. 

In the beginning, and still now, I've been asking myself, "What is Dharma Bum?" It's been a question I've posed casually, in the back of the mind you could say, as a way to lean into the program and experience.  A "cushion" or "question" to sit on as it were. 

Hearing parts of the story tonight was really cool.  Thanks again, Jeff for revealing bits of the personal stories  that provide a history and context to the place where we practice.  Amongst other things, recognizing the DB Temple connection to San Diego's Chinatown history was really meaningful to me.

Maybe tonight's sharing might have incited (insighted) or inspired some more reflection/contemplation/writing from your end.

After tonight's talk:

• Generally or specifically, what did it make you think about?  Reflect on?  Feel?  Connect to?  Etc.
  
• What does Dharma Bum practice mean to you now?
• Do you see the Dharma Bum Temple space differently after having heard tonight's sharing? 
  If yes, in what ways?
  
• What are your thoughts about the paramitas or "no trace", or "getting real with the practice" or any other aspect from the sharing that caught your attention? 
  
• Any thoughts about what it will take to grow the roots of Dharma healthily and firmly here in the West, within the very ground of American culture?
• What part(s) from tonight might've woven itself into your story a bit?
• If you could temporarily ascribe a "sutra title" for Jeff's talk tonight (like Empty Bowl Sutra by Ven. Walter) what title would you give it?
• And those cupcakes that Ken offered are worth, at the very least, a wholesome poem or two!  Thanks Ken!
  
• And if you feel like sharing your thoughts publicly on our living, growing sutra "blog", jump right in @ http://dharmabumsutras.shutterfly.com/
  

And of course, these are just friendly suggestions above.  Ultimately, the sutra you are holding in your mind+heart is what's best to write about. 

Enjoy your "writing" meditation, in whatever form it takes.

Thanks everyone --- see you Monday,
Jon

I get a phone call. She tells me she's hurt. She tells me she doesn't want anything to do with her. She tells me she doesn't care about family. Her family has never been there for her. She is pushing her away. From her mind, her heart, her life. There is no family, she says. Just one person more that has nothing to do with her...any longer. She feels liberated. No more headaches. No more arguing. Just tranquility. It's better this way, she says. She was born alone and will be alone. She is used to it anyway. All her life. In this way. But, she says, she will pay. She was not grateful, she says. People who are not your "blood" are better at being family than those who are family. She wasn't really raised with her mother but she still loved her. She always apologized. Always. Always gave her everything she needed. I know she's hurt, and full of pride. And she's right in some sense. But judging. I'm through with that if she's not. In 10 years, she says, they won't be together. What a waste. He isn't worth it. At all. A man is there to support the woman she says. A woman should never support him even if she is a professional and he's not, even if she is educated and he's not. She should be an independent woman. A woman is devalued when she is not a virgin anymore, she says. A man will not value you anymore. He sees you as less. He treats you bad. There are many other woman. Beautiful ones too. He will leave you for another. They are liberal. They don't care. They jump from one to another. He disrespected her. She disrespected herself. I'm hurt, she says, but time will erase these feelings. I have a lot of experience and know what it means to suffer. I know how to be grateful. Even though I have no education, I did not die of hunger or get severely sick. I am grateful and like to show it. One needs to treat people with respect and help them at every chance you get. Remember the golden rule, she says. I know you are on her side. It is because you are young. You defend her. I know. Sex has it's consequences. One must already think like an adult. Be conscious about what it is you are getting into. Fix your own problems. In the end, we harm ourselves. Men, they aren't responsible. After they have a kid, they don't care, they leave. You have a perfect example with your father. He said he wanted a kid. They were just words, I now know. He was just lustful. One does not live from love. They want you now, but later they'll leave you. You see this all around you. You have to take care of yourself and they don't. The pills, shots, medications, etc. You can get sick, from cervical cancer to a shift in your hormones. He, nothing happens to him. One has to take responsibility. The chemicals we take harm us, our bodies. Shifting our monthly cycles. They don't care about all that. Is that love? No. They are selfish and expect us to take care of ourselves. They think we have it under control, but we don't know what these chemicals are doing to our bodies. Me. Through my experiences. I have gone through a lot. I'm not saying they are all bad, but most fall under one category. Believe me or not, that's your choice. It is better now. For all of us. You didn't see how she changed. You don't know. The lies. Bad tempers. I was calm at first. But I couldn't take it. I just couldn't hurt me any longer by holding everything in. Respect. I don't understand why that could be so difficult. But I'm free now, she says. I'm not hurting anymore, she says. I don't care anymore, she says. Not about her future, she says. Her life, she says. She's like everyone else now, she says. It's her life. I've done enough. Everything is in the past. Things have changed now. I've done all I can....

buzzing traffic
comicon, crazy costumes
totes big enough to throw me in and lug me off
smiling, always
sippin' my cup of java
"don't judge the girl driving and texting"
energized
i have arrived
buddha looks on

Early morning, the fleabitten savage rests his eyes, A new rain has begun.

-Pierre

Even though I don't desire "things" I'm still not happy. I know the reason for this is that I have yet to accept myself as a person. I do not value myself as I should. I do not give myself credit as I should. But then at times I value myself too much because I know a lot that others do not know, or do not wish to know, or do not care about.

At times I feel 'better' than others for wanting to make a difference in
the world, for looking past that "I" frame of mind. I sort of already
consider myself as a bum and I don't mind, in fact I eagerly want to be, in terms of my mind. I tell myself that if I lived in the 60s I would have been a hippy. I know these are different, but they do share common ground.

What if I already know that if my car gets a scratch it's not the end of me? I don't get mad about simple material objects that in the end (of my life) will disappear along with everything else.
 

What I will take with me is my mind to the very last breath.
I don't get mad about simple things that aren't worth feeling emotional over. That's just not me. I get mad because I know I will never have a father. I get mad because I know things between the only family I have, my mother and sister, will never be the same. I get mad because even at my age I look at myself in the mirror and I do not like what I see. What if I already know all these things we have been talking about?

I'm not concerned about material things at all. I don't care.

At this point I don't want a father and I know things are better if my sister and mother do not talk. I've accepted that already. Now I need to grow and
teach myself to value myself so I could go out into the world and be that
scientist I want to be. Be that policy maker I want to be. To provide
clean water and healthy food to those in need.

 

Exploring Dana Practice

Being with the Dharma Bum Life Program is helping me to explore my understanding of generosity --- conceptually and in practice.   It may be that I’m just obsessing over it, but, I’m beginning to feel that all aspects of “dharma practice” relate to and interconnect with dana paramita.  Our intent to practice, to get relief from “the suffering” we all experience is in fact an expression of us offering ourselves another chance.  Like when we are playing a game with friends, and someone calls for a “Do Over.”  An act of generosity, of giving like that.

I remember reading a quote where a disciple asked his teacher, “What is Zen?” and the teacher replied, “Complete giving.”  I don’t fully understand what this response means, but it gave me enough of a jolt to ask myself:  in what ways do I see meditation, mindfulness, Dharma as an expression of giving ---and complete giving at that.  In addition to the “obviousness” of monetary contributions (what I usually and many times myopically associate with generosity) what are other ways to express the spirit of giving and generosity within dharma practice?  

Expressions of Generosity I have seen through my fellow sangha members within the Dharma Bum Life Program:
1)  Practitioners offering their time to serve as temple hosts
2)  …preparing and offering snacks for all to enjoy during our short time together
3)  …offering rides to one another to make this summer experience possible
4)  …genuinely asking questions and engaging the teachings wholeheartedly
5)  …sharing of their expertise and bringing their skill sets to advance a project
6)  …extending hellos and goodbyes in acknowledgement of our shared humanity
7)   …participating wholeheartedly by simply showing up consistently so that a sangha emerges
8)  …communicating one’s truths with honesty and compassion
9)  …lending support and assistance within one’s capacities
10)  …and all the other behind-the-scenes “unseen” work that makes it possible for us to go to this loft in downtown and partake in this experience.

Jeff’s aspiration that the Dharma Bum Temple grow independent of or in spite of “money” is a strong wake-up call especially during these times.  It’s an invitation to truly look at what makes the world go around and the generous ways of being and sustenance that are already within us, independent of, how much we have in our bank accounts.

Practicing dana through all its forms and methods shakes me into wakefulness to remember that I always have something to give and that simultaneously, I am always receiving.  That each moment is replete with more goodness, more gifts, more offerings than I can sometimes see.  Practicing with dana paramita challenges me to expand my perceptions of what “generosity” can look like.  In this way, for a small moment, I get some relief from my miserly, bitter, tight, stuffy, pained, self-centered mind.

And as seemingly impossible as it may be to release my hold of the illusory “American Dream” (with, remember Jon, all of its associated discontents that I know oh-so-very-well) perhaps I should direct my first act of generosity to none other than myself.   In what way?  By being generous enough to allow myself permission to experience the less encumbered and more joyous dimensions of Life.  Or maybe I’ve already thrown in the towel and don’t even believe that there is another way!  Or else, am I waiting (or risking) until I “retire” to figure out how to live? 

. . .

Impressions during ½ day visit to Zen Center San Diego
July 11, 2010

1)  Altar:  Cool “rock”, fragrant flowers, looking….looking eyes wanting to sense more…new space…orienting….green incense, miniature cup of water, altar table, calligraphy!  

2)  Sitting:  can I sense how long it takes before my right leg falls asleep?  How much pain I want to hold until I shift my position?  What is my mind holding onto when I choose not to shift and continue to feel the pain?  What is my mind holding to when I do choose to shift and readjust my legs?   Mindgames: am I trying to beat some personal best in sitting?  Hahahaha, am I now making this competitive?  Crazy.  But what about diligence and effort?  Where’s that line?  Just relax.  Go back to my breath.  Then maybe all this tension that I’ve built up will release and I can actually just sit.  Oh, yeah.

3)  Next time I am invited to offer to the altar, don’t hesitate; get up, bow to my “don’t know” self and make an offering anyways!

4)  Slow walking meditation:  I like! 

5)  Speed walking meditation:  ego says, “pass.”

6)  Working meditation:  “I feel like I’m done cleaning/clearing this spot generally, but the clappers haven’t gone off yet.  Do I keep sweeping some more?  Change stations?  I don’t want to make it seem like I’m not working.   Can I take a little rest?  Okay, let me get this spot here a little better.  Is this clean up even worth it?  I feel like I’m wasting my time now.  Or maybe I’m just being lazy.  Hope I’m not smashing up too many bugs or living creatures as I’m sweeping and weeding.  Clappers where art thou!!?!   Did I make this more difficult than it needed to be?  Clap, clap, clap!  Oh, we’re done?!  I just started on this new area here…”

7)  Recitation:  Pablo Neruda’s poem, Keeping Quiet was excellent.  Mental note #1:  get a copy of that and read it over and over again.  Mental note #2:  did you lean into the poem more because in fact you were “bored” with other things?  

8)  Audio dharma talk:  found myself wanting to engage the points and “talk about the talk,” but as soon as it ended…we were back to sitting in front of blank wall…again.  Mind strongly rejected that sequence!

9)  Take-home thought:  what are the conditions that may allow my mind to settle in more---and not runaway so much? 

10)    Many thanks to the Zen Center of San Diego community for allowing me to jump into your retreat period and experience the community of practice there.

INSPIRATION FOR WRITING

Listen to presences inside poems.
Let them take you where they will.
Follow those private hints,
And never leave the premises.

Jellaludin Rumi
translated by Coleman Barks and John Moyne

---

Poems stir us, encourage us to wake, breathe deeply and experience life! Poems are alive. They hold energy. You can discover this life and energy in your words, in the cadence of your voice, and the feeling inside your body upon reading a poem. There are indeed hints inside of poems that become available to you as you write and hear them.

What poems offer relates not only to the present moment, but may come as messengers from the past and clues important for your future messages for you and for humanity. Poetry joins the personal with the universal.

Writing allows us to discover how vulnerabilities and strengths can co-exist, even thrive together. Poems can reveal deep insight and compassion. They can give voice to what is raw and wounded in your life and that honesty, creatively expressed and explored, can bolster and guide you through rough times. Your writing can transform you at profound levels.

Source:  http://www.poeticmedicine.org/

When I entered the Zen Center, it felt a bit like a haunted house.  It was just before six in the morning and still dark.  I was greeted by a thin woman in dark clothing, who tried to tell me where to put my backpack.  Her voice was so quiet that I couldn’t make out what she was saying over the sound of her soft footprints.  I quickly remembered what it said on the Zen Center handout: observe to learn.  I wasn’t going to figure out where to put my bag, so I just dropped it in the kitchen and let go of the accompanying anxiety.  I became instantly relaxed, and then just waited for further instruction.

I found a zafu and a zabuton waiting for me in a room adjacent to the main meditation hall.  It looked like none of my fellow Dharma Bums were there yet, but I peeked around a corner and got a glimpse of Jeff staring down at the floor.  I guess I got a brief glimpse of Jeff’s time in Taiwan, judging by the intensity in his eyes.  I bowed towards my zafu, sat on it, then bowed again to the woman across from me.  I waited for the bell.

Bell.  Breathing.  Shifting.  Leg asleep.  Leg pain.  Lots of leg pain. Left leg muscles quivering.  Zafu too low?  Waiting for the bell.  Breathe.  Leg pain.  Whose leg? Still leg pain. Where is my leg? Still leg pain.  Who is it that feels the pain? Still leg pain.  When’s that damn bell?  Shifting.  Excruciating leg pain.  Bell.

Stand up.  Others bow.  I shift weight to my dead leg too quickly and then pick myself up off of the floor.  Tweak my knee.  Walk forward.  Left. Right. Left. Right.  CLAP! CLAP!

Walking like I’m late for the bus.  Trying to catch the man in the pink polo shirt in front of me.  I see the altar.  Not now, just walk.  I stare at his heels and try to catch them.  CLAP! CLAP!

Changed my seating position.  Overcompensated. Now it’s the other leg.  Ow. OW. Breathe.  Bell.  What? Bell? I didn’t anticipate a bell!

Sneak around the room like the woman in the yellow wallpaper.  Pace around like Jacques Moran.

Sit down again.  When’s that bell?  I feel the leg pain in my face.  MY FACE! Bell.  Chanting. Eh, maybe next time.

We go outside and get our yard jobs.  Me and Lukas wait for our “implements” (Kate nearly cracked me up with her “implements” talk) and I begin weeding the side of the garden. Soon my hands and feet are black with dirt, and white baby spiders walk across my feet and make them look like living rocky road ice cream.  I don’t mind getting dirty because I’m not going back inside.  I have the task of pulling out little clovers, which Kate designated as weeds.  I am in awe of the forest of tiny clovers, arrayed in patterns which speak to me as echoes of Mother Nature’s laughter.  I rip out the big ones first.  I hear the clappers before I get to the babies.  You escaped the claws of death today young ones, rejoice!

Everyone files back inside for the next session. I grab my backpack and do a little soccer dance for Phillip, which means it’s World Cup time for me.  I walk to the beach and PB seems like a completely new place, so fresh.  Netherlands and Spain play out a very boring final and I wish I’d stayed for the rest of the day.

~by Dharma Bum Pierre

It’s 5am on a Sunday and I’m wondering why my alarm clock is going off.  Ah yes, I remember now, some crazy person scheduled a Dharma Bum retreat for 6am.  Oh man, did I really commit to this?  Ok, up and at ‘em.  Brush the teeth, put on some comfy clothes, grab some food and we’re off.  Oh but the skills of navigation are off at this early hour and we get lost.  Arriving slightly late we creep quietly around to the back door of the Zen Center, deposit our shoes on the shelf outside and slip in to the ‘late-comers’ meditation room.  One of the students greets us and very quietly instructs us to grab a zafu and sit.  The energy is nice here and I’ve gotten over the irritation of arriving late. Very soon two chimes of the bell signal the first walking period.  Elizabeth comes out to let us know we can now enter the main meditation room.  We merge into the room of people walking silently at a snail’s pace.  This is kinda odd.  And then the bell chimes again and we start speed walking.  I’m trying to focus on stopping the thoughts and being in the moment of this walking meditation but feet are losing traction in these socks.  How embarrassing will it be if I fall?  Very, very embarrassing!  Why didn’t this Kentucky girl stick with bare feet?  I guess I have some good karma left though and I make it through without causing a scene.  Now it’s time to sit again and Elizabeth directs us to our spot.  I  discreetly observe the others to get familiar with the bowing routine.  And then we sit on our black zafus…facing a blank white wall.  This is new and feels a little strange!  But the sitting is nice, the energy is peaceful, and before I know it the breakfast bell is bringing me back.

We all migrate to the back yard for a break and some food before the work session  begins.  I happily eat two plums, a granola bar, some juice and a couple bites of Phillip’s sandwich.  Food is good!  The yard is nice and the cool morning air helps me really wake up.  I enjoy a little stroll around the yard, taking pleasure in the plants, to pass the time.  Now we gather to receive instructions for the work period.  Everyone is assigned some type of yard work.  Somehow I get the task of sweeping the roofs of the storage sheds.  Ken, realizing my vertical challenge, offers to switch jobs.  I am thankful and grab my tool and head to the front yard with Jeff to pull crabgrass.  After some short comedic relief from the stray kitty I get to pulling.  But doesn’t this go against the precept of not killing that we discussed on Thursday?  I feel kinda bad about killing the grass but resolve to continue with my task and ask Jeff about this later.  It only takes a few minutes to realize my hands serve me better than the metal tool.  I enjoy the manual labor and getting my hands dirty and for the most part I lose track of time.  But dang, this crabgrass has tough roots!  Occasionally a little back or leg pain interrupt my flow.  I get a lot done but before I can finish the job the wooden clappers signal the work session is over.

It’s now time for another break before we get back to sitting.  Elizabeth has out fixins’ for organic peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.  I quickly make a very messy sandwich to share with Phillip.  We enjoy the sandwich and the quiet company of our Dharma Bum peers and other visitors of the Zen Center in the back yard.  The visiting kitty tries to get a sandwich, too.  Soon one of the teachers is calling us, by way of wooden clappers, to sit again.

We all find our places back in the meditation hall.  The room is almost full now and I’m feeling energized after working and eating.  We sit and walk some more and also do a reading from binders conveniently stashed under our mats.  The reading is a little strange, robotic almost, though the words were nice.  After the reading we listen to a recorded dharma talk given by Zen Center teacher/founder Ezra.  He talks about facing problems and accepting our feelings towards them.  I wish I had a pen and paper to take some notes.  The concept seems simple yet I know the application will be another story.  “Say yes.”  Yes, I accept that I feel tired because I’m a crazy person that got up at 5am to meditate on my day off.

Speaking of 5am, the early rising and hours of inactivity are getting the better of me now.  Staying awake becomes more of a challenge with each minute.  At least twice I catch myself right before my forehead hits the nice, white wall.  Luckily I remember we can walk during this time.  Phillip and I get up and make a couple of laps around the room; quietly and so slowly I can barely tell I’m moving.  But it’s enough movement to keep me awake.  After a little walking we take our places on our zafus and I struggle through the remaining time.  Meditate, wake up face next to wall and repeat…  And then the final bell chimes to signal the end of our day at the Zen Center of San Diego.  All in all it was great experience yet a test of will.  I’m not sure if I passed the test…

~written by Dharma Bum Sunshine  

July 3, 2010

Today I was in yoga class and I thought about how the teacher tells us that yoga class is a meditation practice.  I reminded myself to be mindful. To be present. To pay attention to my breath. To let my thoughts go.  During the standing postures I would concentrate on the body part I was working, or my knee cap, of the third eye.  My mind was clear, my focus was fixed and my breath was constant.  I had a much more successful class than usual.

July 4, 2010

Went to Dharma Bums for morning meditation.  Great experience sitting.  Several new comers so it was interesting to share the experience.  It was a wonderful way to start the day.

July 5, 2010

Morning yoga practice.  I found it much more challenging to be as mindful as I had been on the previous day.  I felt hotter and more dehydrated and perhaps that had something to do with it.  But I know it was all centered in my mind.  My thoughts were racing and I wasn’t concentrating.  Rather than focusing on my leg, I was thinking about my to do list.  Rather than mentally being present in a specific posture, I was mentally in a conversation from the past or a hope for the future.  Not one of my best yoga practices, and it was all in my mind.

July 6, 2010

I thought about meditation practice and how I should use it in everything I do. I was having sex and I noticed that my mind was thinking about work.  Why would I think about work during sex?  It seems crazy!  So I used what I learned in mediation to silence my mind and stop my thinking.  I tried to be present and focused; to enjoy the moment.  And I did.  Without the mind racing I was more centered and focused and the experience was more pleasurable for both of us.

July 7, 2010

I had a pleasant meditation practice today at home in my living room.  I had just met with two people who were in pain and I tried to help them, but it left me spiritually drained.  After they left I felt the need to sit and get my serenity back.  I relaxed. I calmed and slowed my mind.  It was a pleasant way to end the day.

July 8, 2010

Meditation tonight at the Dharma Bums seemed way too quick.  I could have sat for much longer.  I was able to quiet my mind quickly today.  It is amazing how much I crave meditation now.  I was even thinking of mediating before coming to meditation.

July 9 , 2010

Long day!  It was great to sit.  I powered down, closed my eyes and released it all.  Meditation is fantastic. I had the feeling that I wanted to take a shower to refresh myself, but instead I sat in silence.  Great way to live.

July 10, 2010

I bought my own zaphu today.  Now I can sit at home easily.  Before I was folding a blanket or stacking some pillows.  I tried to sit today, but I was a little too excited for life.  I was calm for a few minutes, then I popped back up and got busy with chores and life.  Even though it was brief it was still calm.

July 11, 2010

The Zen Center.  Wow.  Lots of sitting.  I enjoyed it.  It was definitely an experience.  The walking meditation was a relief that I looked forward to and I really enjoyed the yard work.  The morning was much easier for me than the afternoon.  By the time we left, I was very grateful to be leaving.  Enough sitting for one day!

July 12, 2010

Dharma Bums for meditation: after a day at The Zen Center, this was a walk in the park!  It felt so quick and easy.  My mind silenced so quickly.

July 13, 2010

I thought about meditation while I drive.  I am mindful and focused,  keeping my eye on the road and the thoughts in my mind are present thoughts: turn here, slow down, speed up, red light, etc.  I keep from day dreaming while driving.  The car radio is turned off and my mind is silent.  Driving is very relaxing this way.  I arrive at work in a state of peace and serentity.

~ A Dharma Bum

After leaving the Dharma Bums I returned to my car parked at Horton Plaza and realized that I had lost my ticket. I retraced my steps back to the temple but never found the ticket to the parking garage. 

 

As I was walking back to the parking garage I was trying to think of the spiritual lesson that was going to come out of having to pay $60 to park.  Nothing came to me. 
 
I drove up to the gate and asked the person working the gate if she could hook me up with a discount so I wouldn't have to pay the full $60.  She said no. 

 

I sat patiently while she filled out the forms, wrote down my license plate number, copied my drivers license, etc.  She said "Thank you for being so patient. Most people are freaking out by now."  I said "It's not your fault. I lost the ticket."  She said "Thank you for realizing that.  Everyone always blames me, like I create the rules. Urgh, I love my job," she said sarcasticly while rolling her eyes as she handed me a credit card receipt for $60. I signed it and said "Thank you very much for everything.  Have a nice evening."  She smiled and thanked me again as I drove off.
 
My $60 lesson was about suffering and compassion.  Instinct told me to share my suffering with the women at the ticket gate, so we could both suffer more together.  Instead, I didn't act on my instincts.  I recognized that she was already suffering so I became compassionate to the women at the gate, therefore reducing both her suffering and my suffering.  I left the parking garage with a smile on my face and gratitude for the $60 lesson.

How’s it going Dharma Bums,

Ripe discussion and sharings tonight.  It’s always very meaningful  for me to hear how others “sit with” or “hold” the experience of exploring the Dharma.

I thought I’d just list some of the topics and thoughts that arose tonight, in case it might serve to ground, or incite some SUTRA WRITING, REFLECTING, POETRY on our part.  I like this idea of SUTRAS AS THREADS.  For these 8 weeks or so, we’ve committed to coming together to “weave” and investigate the relevance of meditation, the paramitas, service, and sangha in our lives today.

• What does “dana” look like in our lives?  What does true generosity look like?
• What parts of our lives reflect a “no trace” way of living or being?  Complete engagement and presence without the small mind leaving shadows…
• What is our relationship to the American Dream and where has that led us?
• What happens when we begin to question, detract or unplug from the American Dream?
• Demon or dream killers!
• “Competition”
• Living in service of our community, shining our Light into the world
• Living in the world, not dropping out of the world
• Feeling abundant when we come from our “true” self, “follow your bliss” — what moments make you feel abundant and in touch with life?
• Constantly seeking happiness maybe an expression of a mind caught in duality.  Happiness and nirvana are not the same thing.
• What are our intentions and motivations for our life?

Dharma Bum Sutras 2010
Maybe a working title for the blog-to-be?
What do you think?

P.S. Thank you to all who have shared some of their reflections already to help birth the blog!  And, we’ve got the rest of the summer to find opportunities to “create sutras” that reflect our experience of weaving Dharma into our everyday lives.

~A Dharma Bum