Author: Mark J. Chmiel

“Observe What’s Vivid”

1.“There is a story in the Jewish tradition about a student going to see a great rabbi, not principally to study Torah or Talmud, but to watch how the rabbi ties his shoes.”–Eboo Patel 2. “I…

Ralph Nader

As consumer advocate par excellence, Ralph Nader has improved the quality of life of millions of American citizens. As gadfly of the presumedly immutable two-party system, he has aroused the wrath of the powerful. He…

What Rubem Said to Maria Evelina

Yes, Raquel’s birth was a purifying experience in that it empowered me to say, “this is important,” and the rest becomes blurred.  Her birth re-integrated things in my life. For example, when she was born…

Favorite Mary Oliver Poems

Instructions for living a life: Pay attention.Be astonished.Tell about it.–Mary Oliver, from “Sometimes” Laura …When I Am Among the Trees When I am among the trees,especially the willows and the honey locust, equally the beech, the oaks…

I Was Talking to Ram Dass about You and…

How things were going in Italy–The heat, the workloadThe limited energy for creative endeavorsI sounded a little worried I supposeHe put his arm around my shoulders and said,“She knows the scoreShe knows gratitude is where…

From a Recent Notebook

Of course, Diane di Prima is in My Canon… Because  she honored Suzuki Roshi’s unprecedented presenceBecause she made  the case for old-school being literally in touchBecause she gave primacy to cosmologyBecause I gifted C. with…