clearstreamzendo

This week’s topic for reflection is responsibility. For me responsibility comes down to doing what is needed for things to move in an orderly and beneficial way and not doing things according to what I want in the moment with no concern for the consequences. Being responsible is recognizing how we are in the world makes a difference. Yesterday Senkei and I went to Jerry’s, our neighborhood hardware store. On the way out the woman at the register was friendly, happy and said to us with a...

This week’s topic for reflection is loss. Loss is one of the most emotionally painful experiences we can have. Loss of a child or spouse is sometimes never gotten over. We can loose a job or career that we expected to last a lifetime. I think of refugees fleeing with nothing, from the country they have always known for an uncertain and difficult future. We long for certainty, security and a way forward. How does significant loss feel? Perhaps like a tearing in the chest. A disorienting...

This week’s topic for reflection is alone. Feeling alone, not noticed and that no-one cares is heart breaking. The other day, driving up Interstate Five we pulled over and stopped at a rest stop. Off to one side sat a woman with a sign reading, “Anything will help.” Senkei asked if I was going to give her anything and I said, “Yes.” Bending over to give her a dollar bill, she looked up. Reaching up to take the dollar she said, “Thank you.” I was surprised to see how completely sad and in pain...