Sharing a few thoughts

"To study Buddhism is to study ourselves. To study ourselves is to forget ourselves." - Dogen Zenji

I've been consistent in posting to my Patreon account and have left alone all the other platforms. But, in the process, I've missed writing extempore, i.e. on the hoof.

I'm very conscious that I'm still to publish my book and, in a way, I should pull the plug on all my writing and invest all my efforts in getting the bloody thing shipped.

But that's not how I work -- or at least up to now.

You see, I like to write daily; I like to share what's uppermost in my often busy mind; and, I like to connect with my writing.

And when I don't do it, something's missing.

For the moment, I'm undecided if I'll write beyond Patreon -- at least until the book gets shipped -- and where I'll do so. I did think about using Medium but I'm loathed to pay the subscription. Likewise, Tumblr and Livejournal could have been a worthy investment of time but again neither feel right. So, for the moment, and mainly because it's easy with my slightly peripatetic work patterns, I've decided to give Blogger another whirl. I know it's not perfect -- far from it -- but I see no reason not to give it a proper go this time around.

In terms of what I'll write about, I'm not yet sure but something tells me it might be more in the storytelling genre than where I've previously invested my energies or have been drawn to write.

Blessings to you all,

Julian

Comments

Mindfulness isn't...

A label to add to the other two dozen you've amassed. Something to sell as a new productivity tool. A badge of honour. A way to make people inferior if they don't get 'it'. A practice that only finds home in one area of your life. A way to exit from life's travails. A way to talk and act differently to true self. A course, retreat or YouTube video. No, mindfulness is everything. It's life. But not the life where you live on the edge between this moment and the one you're chasing. Mindfulness is now. This breath -- the in, the out and the rest in between. It means above all paying attention, fully. If you need a question to inform your mindfulness practice, try the first koan from the Mondo Zen Training Manual: "Is it possible to just purely listen? Can you listen without an opinion?" You can shorten this to one word: listen. Yes, that's it. Mindfulness is to listen. Listen. Listen. Listen. Have a w...

10 Reasons Why You Should Blog

#1 - Because you can. #2 - You've something to say. #3 - It's a way to get closer to the real you. #4 - To help others. #5 - To make a difference. #6 - To build a body of work that, one day, might ignite a bigger spark than you ever dreamed possible. #7 - Because it's fun. #8 - To learn from others who are prepared to comment. #9 - To leave a legacy. #10 - To connect soul with role. Of course, there are as many reasons not to blog, but if you've learned anything over the course of your life, it's the power of words to change lives. Take care. Blessings, Julian PS. The picture is of Charles Bukowski in reflective mood.

Kindness et al.

Now, more than ever, we need to find a way through this collapsing world . Yes, there are lots of strategies, templates and exhortation we could employ but, truthfully, we know in our hearts that if only there was a little less hate and a lot more kindness the world would be a much better place - in so many ways. Then again, the trope has been done to death and look where it's got us. Not very far. Perhaps it is that we've an aversion to opening ourselves up in case we're taken advantage of or worse still. Perhaps it is that we don't feel it. It's more act than truth. Perhaps there's no quid pro quo. (Does there or should there be?) Truth is, I've no more an idea than you why the world is too often riven with a lust for hate when it should be in swoon to kindness. That doesn't (of course) stop me wondering. And wonder I will alongside all those other issues that continue to haunt me. Blessings, Julian

Julian Summerhayes

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