On Ivan Ilyich

ahamkara [aham, “I”; kara, “maker”] Self-will, the ego mask, the principle in people which makes them feel separate from others. — Diana Morrison, A Glossary of Sanskrit from The Spiritual Tradition of India The Death of Ivan…

Share the Wealth with Chris Wallach

If you want to understand your mind, sit down and observe it. –Munindra, Bengali Buddhist At the end of March, Chris  Wallach spent a week on silent retreat at the Insight Meditation Society retreat center…

Power Branding, American Style

Early morning walk on Naperville-Wheaton Road I see this collection of signs: – One caught my eye Power Yoga Power Yoga? Of course Power Yoga! This is branding, American-Style What’s next? What else is out…

LA Woman

Dear Bella Levenshteyn Got galleys for book and cover proofs.  Going to a cafe early tomorrow morning and see how it looks. I’d like to be handcuffed to you for six hours, at a bar,…

Living in Belize City

Carolina and Tatiana have been participating in the Be in Love with Yr Life writing course from Belize City. I sent them my “It’s About” (on what Dear Layla Welcome to Palestine is about) which…

Just This

Your great-uncle who was connected to the KKK You righteous indignation at this Your bodhisattva compassion for him, for yourself Hold it all In this present moment –from novel-in-progress, Our Heroic and Ceaseless 24/7 Struggle against…

Compromismo (Touching a Nerve)

On a summer day in 1944 My mother was herded from a cattle car Along with the rest of its human cargo Which had been transported from Belgrade To the concentration camp at Bergen-Belsen She…