Tag: zen

  • Searching and Finding

    Surrounded by Zen and Buddhism magazines, books reviews, and the latest issue of Edge Magazine, I pause for a moment. What am I looking for? Is there a concrete reason all of these words, images, advice, poems, other peoples lives, surround me? What do I take from this? I continue my studies of Zen Master…

  • Reading and writing

    To help with my writing funk, I’ve been reading a lot more than usual.  And that advice is always given to writers: read more.  Read different genres or subjects than what you are writing about.  This helps to expand your mental awareness and give a larger pool of ideas and images to the mind and…

  • Changes are coming

    As 2013 ages and January falls into February, I’ve decided to make some changes.  When this blog first started it was with no real direction or goals beside focusing on writing and nature.  The name The Wasteland Here is a take on T.S. Eliot and a social jab during hard socio-econimic times. As I am…

  • On Writing Poetry

    I’ve spent most of the weekend reading a book titled “Sky Above, Great Wind”, the life and poetry of Zen Master Ryokan.  Out of the zen masters I have read, I am finding his teaching to be uncluttered, using only the words that are needed to show the path.  His poetry is sparse, honest, self-depracating,…

  • Back to writing

    A lot in the world is going on, and many events or significant milestones have passed.  Ideas and snippets pass through my mind like water, and it is difficult to choose which to fish out and write about.  What kind of tone should I take, and what, at the end of the day, do I…

  • Welcome to Fall

    I can’t believe it is already fall and October.  I have drawn within myself the past few weeks as my headaches have been occurring daily, except for today.  There is nothing better than the feeling of liberty when you are back at the normal level of feeling, or the balance you have learned in living…

  • Stone Garden

    Intently walking the empty shoreline with faint reminders of empty fields each stone or grain of sand unique we listen to our internal voice in choosing which will become the stone garden we will build and tend to. Some stones are quiet, content with their place here. Some stones jump or shine. Still others sit…

  • Out of Town

    In Lutsen for a few days of hiking, relaxing, and writing.  I will have some fresh new writings and perspectives on nature and Zen.  This time has given me the title for the new collections of poems, revolving around my learning and understanding of Zen as I continue down this path.