Thursday, 09 September 2010, 03:14 am PDT
Featured Ministers
Passing Thought about Star Trek
I wasn't watching a lot of television in 1966, so I missed out that day, this day, in that year, when Star Trek made its debut. Later, I would be a fan, if not of the ferocious sort. I'm glad for... [read more]
Monkey Mind
Labor Day
I think of labor day and I think of what the union movement gave to America. Like the eight hour work day & the five day work week. Like actual safety regulations, often actually enforced. I fe... [read more]
Monkey Mind
JESUS WAS A CARPENTER: A Sermon on Religion and Politics
JESUS WAS A CARPENTERA Sermon on Religion and Politics 5 September 2010 Delivered by James Ishmael Ford At the First Unitarian Church Providence, Rhode Island ... [read more]
Monkey Mind
Mind Bubbles on Patriotism and Nationalism
One of the most moving scenes in a film that I can think of is where Humphrey Bogart and Paul Henreid walk out of a private meeting into the bar where Conrad Veidt is leading a bunch on Nazis singi... [read more]
Monkey Mind
Suicide is Painless: Or, Cain's Question
A few days ago I received a note from a friend about a friend of hers who is dealing with chronic pain and wanted my view on suicide, and whether it is a sin. I said that sin is not really a term o... [read more]
Monkey Mind
Having a Goal
Me, when pressed I can hold still for long periods of time. .. [read more]
Monkey Mind
Raimon Panikkar Dies
I just learned from Carl Mc Colman's Anamchara blog that Raimon Panikkar has died. Joseph Prabhu writes at the National Catholic Reporter, "Professor Raimon Panikkar, one of the greatest sc... [read more]
Monkey Mind
A Trip to the Moon
On this day in 1902 Georges Melies' A Trip to the Moon, generally considered the first Science Fiction film, was released. This video has English narration using a translation of the original... [read more]
Monkey Mind
Redemption Song
Over at her always fascinating blog Smilin' Buddha Cabaret, Marnie Louise Froberg reflects at some length on the recent Glenn Beck rally, the nature of privilege, racism and the related. A small s... [read more]
Monkey Mind
I Hate Seasonal Allergies
As Ellen said I woke up dazed and confused and didn't have a whiskey bottle in my hand. .. [read more]
Monkey Mind
Off to Tanglewood
For the ninth or tenth year running Jan & I are driving up to the Berkshires to stay with some old friends and take in a couple of shows at Tanglewood. This evening Poulenc and a little Holst. ... [read more]
Monkey Mind
The Story of the Baal Shem Tov
By some calculations the Master of the Good Name was born on this day in 1698. .. [read more]
Monkey Mind
Celebrating Women's Rights
On this day in 1920 American Women finally, finally won the right to vote. There is still much to do, no doubt. But, a day never to be forgotten. .. [read more]
Monkey Mind
A Fool for Buddha
My Dharma sibling David Weinstein, who leads the Oakland Zendo, an affiliate sangha of the Pacific Zen Institute was in Hawa’ii at the Palolo Zendo for the various events celebrating the life of ... [read more]
Monkey Mind
Is Greed Good?
I notice how on this day in 1967 Abbie Hoffman together with other hippie/yippie activists managed to disrupt trading at the New York Stock Exchange through the simple expedient of standing in the ... [read more]
Monkey Mind
Authority in Zen: A Rant
Let me start with an unequivocal assertion. The Zen dharma gave me my life. I owe this way everything. And, no doubt, it deserves all the rough handling it has gotten in recent years. (Say, for ins... [read more]
Monkey Mind
President Obama Revealed as a Secret Muslim
One third of registered Republicans appear to believe or suspect that Barack Obama is a Muslim. A recent poll suggests one in five Americans do. .. It is hard to not see this as some deep seated bi... [read more]
Monkey Mind
A BUDDHIST WEDDING SERVICE In the Western Tradition
A BUDDHIST WEDDING SERVICEIn the Western Tradition[i]Compiled from diverse sources,Edited and annotated by The Reverend James Ishmael Ford Boundless Way Zen Sangha Processional[ii]. .. Address to t... [read more]
Monkey Mind
On Finding Your Religion
Of course, everyone knows, that belief-o-matic (registered trademark) is the best way to figure out what your religion is. But for those for whom following all the questions is too much trouble, an... [read more]
Monkey Mind
Rhode Islanders Stand on the Side of Love
For those of us concerned with marriage equality, particularly in the state of Rhode Island, yesterday was a momentous occasion. In my capacity as minister of the First Unitarian Church of Providen... [read more]
Monkey Mind
19th Amendment
The 19th Amendment to the Constitution was ratified on this day in 1920. All we need is an Equal Rights Amendment to seal the deal. .. [read more]
Monkey Mind
Fantasmagorie
Fantasmagorie generally considered the first animated film. It was shown in Paris on this day in 1908. And now for your entertainment and edification, here it is. .. (Ain't Youtube a wonder? ) [read more]
Monkey Mind
Woodstock Pilgrimage
This past Friday Jan & I drove off for upstate New York leaving auntie in charge of the cats and fish. We meandered through Rhode Island, across Connecticut cutting up to Interstate 84, drove... [read more]