Returning to Now

Well - where do I start? Lots going on, lots happening, lots coming up. To be honest my head is spinning just a bit.

Well…..for now, I’m focusing on what’s happening in the present. So — I feel the air conditioning (grateful, truly, on a hot day like today) and taste the cool glass of iced tea in my hand. I hear catchy pop music coming from my phone. This morning I got on the trail before 9 am and got millions of shades of green in my sight. (Deep breaths also help, I recommend these highly!)

so, after a deep breath or two….

The best thing about the near future is I’m really enjoying getting into studying Zen Buddhism - I’ll be taking some online classes starting soon.

Art and poetry are not separate from my personal Zen study or practice, by the way…..and here’s an example. My latest:

Mind-Seal”, acrylic on canvas, 24 x 24 inches, $850.

“The term "mind-seal" is derived from the Chinese tradition of an emperor or high authority using a red-inked stamp, or seal, to authenticate important documents. Thus, by analogy, yinke (Jap. inka) is a master's using the mind-seal to authenticate the realization of enlightenment in a disciple.” - from Dharmanet.org, The Legacy of Chan

This is how I made the Mind-Seal. After enlarging a smaller drawing and projecting/tracing that design, I made a GIANT stamp by gluing yarn to a large heavy wood circle along the lines I traced. Then I applied red paint over the whole thing and - stamped it. I’ve been tinkering with how to execute my vision of creating large circular designs (that are neither too heavy nor too impossible to create or display) and I’m not sure I’ve realized the ultimate solution, but I feel like it is progress. The next challenge will be to see if I can coax a second print out of this stamp, which unfortunately did get damaged in the process of making the print. Am I crazy? Probably.


A new poem. Also related…

The Return


The 2nd Arrow - Update

My Dharma brother James Gregg (aka West Riding) is moving forward with many musical projects including The 2nd Arrow. Featuring my painting “Causes and Conditions” on the cover, this is a ROCK album (yayyyy!) and it’s my favorite music ever from him. The 2nd Arrow Digital Album is available here! — on a “pay what you can” model starting at a mere $6.00. Proceeds are donated directly to Bright Way Zen to keep this very special flame of the Dharma alive. Go listen! And rock out! You will not be disappointed.

The 2nd Arrow album goes to wide release August 27. AND - It will also be available on vinyl soon! (designed by me - it is such a fun project and as a true Gen-Xer, all I can say is — VINYL, heck yeah!!!) I’ll post about this again when it’s available to order.


At the Gallery…

Speaking of the painting “Causes and Conditions”, the original I created for the 2nd Arrow cover is currently on the wall at the Village Gallery of Arts. If you’re in town, please stop by and check it out.

Also, “Aria” is the August featured painting in the window at VGA, so if you’d like to see it in person, you have one more week…


‘Till next time - stay cool!

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Songs, Rivers, and a Gift