Nearly a decade ago, Thich Nhat Hahn’s simple, yet profound words showed me how everything we see and cannot see is wondrously woven together in a sea of interbeing. I had never given previous thought how a cloud, the rain, a tree, and a simple sheet of paper are dependent on each other. Thay matter-of-factly… Continue reading The Sea of Interbeing
Tag: death
Touching the Universe
Many years ago, shortly after becoming a father, I felt the need for my growing family to have spiritual guidance. I was raised in the Protestant faith and my wife was Catholic. We settled on going to a Presbyterian church close by. I yearned for a universal truth about how we can be the best… Continue reading Touching the Universe
Mourning
Do not make yourself look haggardly or unkempt when you grieve. You do not need to show the world you are grieving. If you hold joyful memories in your heart, and know that you contributed more happiness than sorrow to your loved one, you must not frown, but be joyful. If there is consciousness beyond the grave,… Continue reading Mourning
Love and Rainbows
Love and Rainbows Now that you are gone The memories linger on And when I close my eyes I see you in my mind There’s paradise in me With peaceful streams and trees And when I gaze above I see the colors of your love And though you went away I kept the promise that… Continue reading Love and Rainbows
You’ll Be My Rainbow
You'll Be My Rainbow Now that you are gone The memories linger on And when I close my eyes I see you in my mind There's a paradise in me With peaceful streams and trees And when I gaze above I see the colors of your love And though you went away I hear… Continue reading You’ll Be My Rainbow
What is Important Now?
A friend of mine consoles terminally ill patients. Many times she is there, holding their hand as they walk into the light of an unknown door. Her experience has taught her a great truth, which is to always ask oneself, “What is important now?” In her case, the most important thing to do in those… Continue reading What is Important Now?
Apathy
After school, I cleaned my aquarium. I filled a small glass jar with water, then carefully transported each fish into their temporary home. It was a fantastic scenery- twenty-four multi-colored fish swarming tightly in a few ounces of water. Rather than continuing to scrub the tank, I marveled at my new creation. The fish splashed… Continue reading Apathy
Goodbye, Dad
Goodbye, Dad I came to work as usual on Saturday and the answering machine blinked one message. It was Mom, who instructed me to take the next plane back to Indiana, for Dad was in serious condition and was on a breathing machine. In less than an hour I was strapped inside an airplane. Dad… Continue reading Goodbye, Dad
A Tourmaline for Irmaleen
A one-carat diamond dangled below the watermelon tourmaline in Gallery of Diamonds jewelers. "I've always wanted one of those," Irmaleen Crawford said to her husband of fifty years. "Why in the world would you want that?" Ernie asked, who was upbeat and jolly for a man in his late seventies. "I saw one in a… Continue reading A Tourmaline for Irmaleen
The Birthday Party
After Alandra staged a big birthday party for Dawson Winston when he turned 30, Dawson figured the next party wouldn't be as extravagant. Ben's Burgers, after all, was the place they met when she worked as a table server. Dawson never forgot how she spilled the giant thirsty-sized Fruitola in his lap when she served… Continue reading The Birthday Party