Farewell Richard O. Moore

Just learned that Richard Moore passed on. He was 95 and living in the Redwoods Retirement Home in Mill Valley, CA. Visited him with Katrinka there before leaving for Asia in 2013. He was doing well though loosing his eyesight. Published another book of poetry this year - Particulars of Place. Used to visit with Richard and his wife Ruth at their home in Muir Beach near Green Gulch and later at their home far up north. Richard was a founder of KPFA Radio and KQED TV in the SF Bay area. He never seemed interested in Zen, but he was responsible for putting Alan Watts on the air. He had mixed feelings about Watts - who lived nearby - and on several occasions I emphasized to Richard what a great gift that was to bring Watts to so many people. Read more about him on Wikipedia. - DC

Post on his memorial

Civil Rights etc and Practice

Student I: What relationship does anyone who has studied Buddhism have to organizations that work against killing such as peace organizations or civil rights organizations?

Ants again

From my vantage point at the pool ladder, watched red ants climbing and descending the bare slim trunk of a tropical plant - perfectly placed to the left side so their bodies were in relief against a green background. Glad they're there and not on our porch with the blacks - as the blacks don't bite and the reds do. As with all the ants I know, they stop briefly to greet each other in passing. What perfect social beings they are.  

Universal Advice for Meditation

"Be still and know that I am God..."

Psalm 46:10

Father Steve Frost sent that in an email announcing his paintings in the Pastoral Center of Christ Cathedral, Garden Grove, California- Diocese of Orange. More on this at this website, White Light Missals

Fear of Death

Student: Can you explain the connection between death or fear of death and zazen?

Kissing in Public

You shouldn't kiss in public here really. It's not good manners but it's not against the law like in India.

Nothing Sunday

Decided to institute a Sunday off policy with a few exceptions, this post being one of them. As ever - DC

Walter Van Oel

Katrinka and I visited with artist Walter Van Oel and his wife Léonie yesterday at their home in Sanur. Link to page image came from.

His art is amazing - the colors - ah! There are many links to images of Walter's art and videos on YouTube.

Here is a brief video interview with Walter with some of his art and a snippet of Desmond Tutu visiting there.

I don't think I've ever been in a more impressive home. He designed it in a matter of minutes. We entered onto a vast open space with a floor of fine white gravel, almost sand. 23 meters across (meter is 3.3ft), maybe half that wide - the peak of the ceiling is 13 meters, the lower height 7 - with a large but less large space to the left. His art on the walls - large, vibrant colors.

Exchange on Communication between Suzuki and Students

Student F: This way of helping each other with words and trying to convey meaning is very difficult. It seems to be very important to be able to communicate with another person. I say to myself, “What is preventing understanding when the words are being correctly used?” What is preventing, what is not listening, or what is the disturbance? What is preventing the penetration of this meaning?

SR: You yourself prevent it [laughs].

Leaving Doors Open

"In zazen leave your front door and your back door open. Let thoughts come and go. Just don't serve them tea."

From Crooked Cucumber, chapter 15.