Kenshō

The other day I had one of those "timeless" kenshō moments. I was walking from the kitchen to the dining room with my lunch soup. I felt “hyper present” like every step was almost eternal. Not in length of time but more like each step was moving through everything all at the same time. In those kenshō flashes I have the overwhelming sense of an understanding and belonging to everything. I can feel everything. It always gives me an overwhelming sense of centeredness and calm. The troubles and cares of the day and life drop like loose clothing. I feel totally unencumbered and peaceful.

In that flash nothing had any of the importances we assign them. There was no stress or concern. It’s a vulnerable sensation, but one that also feels comfortable.


For past kenshō blog entries and a better understanding of it, visit the links below.

Kenshō and Satori

Kenshō - Wikipedia

Satori - Wikipedia

60 and Act III

The approach to 60, albeit a year and three-and-a-half months away, is really having profound (that word is so cliche nowadays) effects on me. Some I can literally feel happening daily. I can go to bed one day with a certain feeling or way of thinking about some thing, someone, or some place only to wake up the next day ready shed that thing, person, or situation. The thing is, thouhg, I have no regrets about that sometimes-daily “culling”. The importance of people, places, things, and beliefs is changing rapidly. It would be easy to say it might seem a bit frightening not knowing what’s ahead. Yet I know for certain those holes being created are going to be filled with much more meaningful things; calm, “solid,” mindful, and centered things that are going to make Act III deeply rewarding and meaningful.

Appearance of Being Alive

"That seems to me the great American danger we're all in, that we'll bargain away the experience of being alive for the appearance of it."

— Mike Nichols

I've always been a very vivid dreamer. Sometimes I can have as many as three, four, or more dreams each night that I can clearly remember the next day. To explore the themes, patterns, and meanings of my dreams I've started a blog to record them. It's both fascinating and fun.

Click the image above to visit the blog.

My Place in Life

I was thinking last night. You know that guy with the new car you're a little envious of? Has he ever been curious about what sand looks like under a microscope? Your neighbor that has the huge house you might be dreaming of living in? Does he recognize the poetry of the Periodic Table of the Elements? That guy that's climbed the ladder to CEO you admire? Is he awed by the elegant structure of the universe? Do they stop to marvel at the drop of rain magnifying a tiny, green insect on a leaf? Do they know to be humbled by the exquisite dance of DNA? Probably not. They don’t stop long enough to be awestruck by the splendor of it all. They spend their entire lives achieving and no time living. How sad for them.

I don't have a brand new car. I don't live in the fanciest house, don't wear the flashiest clothes, or have the most impressive job title. That's not what it's about. It's about kindness, inquisitiveness, and reverence for the recognition of my place in it all.