Over the past few months, I’ve been studying and practicing with the ideas, thought, and innovations of Jewish history. I especially marvel at the creativity of Rabbinic Judaism just following the destruction of the 2nd and final Temple in Jerusalem. This makes me wonder about the constant unfolding of Jewish history and tradition. Is there a period of Jewish life after Rabbinic Judaism? What comes next? Continue reading “Rabbinic Judaism and Halachah: One Fence too Many?”
What is God?: A Reflection on Purim and Divinity
Understanding the world’s great religions and spiritual traditions is not an academic pursuit. It is a participatory sport! True study of the Way lies not in answering the great questions, but in asking them. Who am I? Where do I come from? Where am I going? Yet after many years of meditation and Zen practice, I have become less interested in the questions: Who is God?, Where is God?”, or Why doesn’t God…?. The question that I have grown to ask and appreciate is: What is God? And how can I live my life in this way? Continue reading “What is God?: A Reflection on Purim and Divinity”
Was the Buddha “Engaged”?: The Work of Spirituality, a Buddha, and God Wrestler
In a recent blog post, I wrote about the intersection of politics and religion, particularly in the Jewish tradition. I received some questions and comments about how this would be similar or different within Buddhism or the various Dharma worlds and was asked to elaborate on my previous post.
These questions have raised an ongoing and challenging one for me: What really is the work of spirituality? What is the work of a Buddha? What is the work of a God Wrestler (one translation of “Israelite”)? Continue reading “Was the Buddha “Engaged”?: The Work of Spirituality, a Buddha, and God Wrestler”
How are You? Really!?
Hundreds of thousands of books and billions of pages have been written about it. It is so complicated, yet so simple. But not easy! In many ways, it all comes down to just a few short words, “How are you? Really!?” Continue reading “How are You? Really!?”
Psalm 151: A Mindful Jewish Meditation on Christmas
While I am not Christian and do not identify as a Christian, I would like to offer these important, eternal words and the meditation below in honor of the Christmas holiday today and all those who celebrate Christmas. Continue reading “Psalm 151: A Mindful Jewish Meditation on Christmas”