Death in Lahore

To the "Martyr"who took so much life:
These were children of the book. Their deaths ensure you a place in your very own hell.

To the families of the dead:
Take refuge in your faith. Don't stop loving.

To the rest of the world:
Stop your hatred. Let go of your fears and learn compassion.

you wonder at the flux

Space and Time are always moving. Except for time. Time is an odd bit of human thinking. We use it to track the movement of space, but we take it personally. "oh, he's gotten old!" or "it seems like only yesterday." In the big picture, time is Now and space is Here. That's it. Here and Now, Anything more, and you're guessing. Anything less, and you're living in a memory which is,  most probably, not very accurate. As my Pop used to say: "stop guessing!"

It's really important to sit quietly and establish here and now. The only way to effect "then" is by being mindful in the here and now.  See things as they are,  think in a way that supports a positive outcome and  speak in a way that explains and describes your thinking, with no intention of gain or loss to speaker or listener. 

If I can get through one day without trying to be cool or "the smartest guy in the room" I am closer to being happy.

l see my life as continuous process improvement. I have Dr. W. Edwards Deming to thank for that.  When asked by someone how long they would have to accomplish what Deming called "The Aim", he answered: "As long as you live, young man. No longer."

That's the way of Zen, supported by the mental discipline of mindfulness and concentration, we pursue to take the right actions in the right livelihood, using the right effort.  In the same way that Deming's Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle goes on and on, the Great Wheel turns forever, driven by the steps we take on the path.

I Wonder Where I've Been

I just took a look at this place after posting earlier today and the first thing I noticed was the timing of my last two posts-Easter 2016 and Thanksgiving 2015.  I guess I missed Christmas and New Years.  I think my lack or productivity in this arena has to do with my zen practice.  I've been back at it for the last six years and I'm pretty content with my life.

Earlier in my life, writing and other forms of art which I casually practice were done in spurts of compulsiveness. For months at a time, I would makes thousands of photos, write hundreds of poems, and blog about it.

The only compulsion I've got these days is afternoon coffee and pastry.  I rarely miss them.  In the language of Zen, I'm attached and should probably cool it, but man, German cakes and pastries should not be ignored.  Sorry, Roshi, but I think you understand  :-)

Hey remember, this is a tongue in cheek look at the universe with only an occasional attempt at being serious, so like the parking problems and the rerouted traffic, I'm having fun, just like the thousands of kids who are going to enjoy the Easter Kirmis, regardless of where my friends with cars have to park.  As for me, I travel by foot and bus and train.....

Be happy. Given the approaching Spring, the will be hiking and photography, so stay tuned (if you find me amusing) and stay balanced.

Rabbits and Eggs, Mice, Men, Cabbages, and Kings

Stone Street is getting ready for Easter. The annual Kirmis (rides, food, and beer stands) begins on the 26th. The biggest complaint is traffic. The major street in our neighborhood, Auf der Freiheit, shuts down for two blocks, sending traffic on a detour. The second is parking. Cars start landing in private spots, illegal spots, and create roadblocks, frustration, confusion. All in the name of making a couple of thousand kids happy. I like it.

I've always loved Easter. The preparation of making pysanky (eggs decorated with wax designs, then dyed in mutt-colors), the making of bread, cooking of ham and sausage was always wonderful to the senses.  The stories of resurrection and the ceremonies accompanying them were all pomp and circumstance with processions and incense followed by the magnificent family breakfast.

The Rites of spring and the renewal of the human spirit, whether celebrated with Solemn High Mass, a box fire,  or a ride on a Ferris wheel, is a thing of beauty.

Happy Easter! Happy spring!

 May all Sentient Beings be Happy.

Thanksgiving and the Weihnachtsmarkt

The Christmas Season seems to have started early in Ostwestfalen this year.  Today is Thanksgiving in the USA and plain old Thursday here.  I remember the Weihnachtsmarkt opening on the Monday after the First Sunday in Advent, but this year it's the Monday before the first Sunday in Advent.  That may be a little too long for me.  It's thrown my planning off as well as my poor sense of time.
There's just so much bratwurst you can eat (although the pork chops and baked potatoes should be available on a full year basis).

The setup here in Herford is a little different than many.  The handcrafts are housed in the Rathaus Market Hall, which is separated from the rest of the stands and festivities and can easily be missed by those unfamiliar with it (it took me five years before I discovered it!) in the same way that the Gänsemarkt can be missed when people come to the end of Bäcker Strasse and look across the bridge and think 'There's nothing in this direction'.

Signs, or banners, or maps would be nice.

None of these criticisms are meant to be negative.  I used to do process improvement for a living, so I'm just trying to be helpful.  I love the Weihnachtsmarkt, not just the physical thing, but the concept. It's so much jollier and cozier than an indoor shopping mall, where you probably won't find baked potatoes.....

So, Happy Thanksgiving, America.  Come on over and visit before the New Year.  We can eat potatoes.

No News is Good Enough

I woke up this morning and nothing was right and nothing was wrong.  I was awake and aware of the floor beneath my feet.  I performed the usual rituals with my teeth and other parts of my body, made a pot of coffee and now it's two in the afternoon.  There was, between waking and writing, a walk to the grocery store, and a mid-day meal of homemade bruschetta.  I've been experimenting with various mixtures of vegetables and fish, hard cheeses, soft cheeses, on bread or with rice.  I'm still fat, but I'm having more fun cooking and eating. 


That is, of course, incidental.  The important part is that I am alive, which means there's nothing to complain about.  I sleep well, I eat good, I have a lot of fun reading, writing, carving, walking, and occasionally conversing in the national language of my adopted country.


There are birds to look at, the occasional hedgehog, spiders, caddis flies, and all sorts of interesting landscapes.  Gautama Buddha once said that have a robe and something to eat is all that you need. I've got khakis and blue jeans, t-shirts, and pullovers enough for an entire monastery and I've already told you about eating.


Another hundred years and I may well be enlightened.

rain slows me down

it has been raining on the street for a few days now.  rain here in ostwestfalen seems to be able to penetrate the skin through any rain gear I own, creating a dull mind and a lackluster spirit.  breathing helps dissipate the soggy feeling, coffee helps dissipate the dullness of mind.

I don’t often stay at home for an entire day, but when I do, it reminds me that right minded writing is not only fun, but can be useful, so here I am, back to say that I’m still living on Steinstrasse, and life, despite the rain, is good.  The rain is good, even though it’s Ostwestfaelisch rain. 

I’ve been working on a couple of stories, and, of course, the Never-Ending story of the Yellow-House.  The novel is too expansive to ever really be a novel, which has given me the opportunity to turn it into short stories and a personal cosmology.  I’m having fun and learning, to me, the point of existence.  Next time around, said the monk, I’d like to be what I am, who doesn’t matter.

Wishing you a good day from Steinstrasse, peace, love, and contentment.