The Zen Teachings of Bagger Vance

A few nights ago, we re-watched The Legend of Bagger Vance in which Rannulph Junuh, played by Matt Damon learns the Zen teachings of Bagger Vance, played by Will Smith. Junuh is in a golf tournament with two top players in Savannah, Georgia and has fallen 12 stokes behind. Bagger Vance gives Junuh the following […]

The Goddess Of Mercy

Robert Aitken Roshi was an American Buddhist pioneer and author of the widely ready book, The Mind of Clover: Essays in Zen Buddhist Ethics. Along with The Three Pillars of Zen: Teaching, Practice, and Enlightenment by Philip Kapleau and Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind by Shunryu Suzuki Roshi these provided me with my initial readings in […]

In Memory Of Myogen Steve Stucky

I just learned that Zen Master Myogen Steve Stucky passed away on December 31, 2013 – just a couple of days ago. He was a wonderful man and beloved teacher. In the 1980’s, I sat Zen meditation with him in his home in Mill Valley with many other devoted students. He will be deeply missed […]

Meditation Practices for Developing Generosity

Generosity is one of the cornerstones of meditation practices. Meditation practices for developing generosity in Buddhism are based on the practices of giving of yourself unconditionally without anticipation of any reward. We all know what it feels to give of our time, energy or material resources to others in need. The feeling is like a […]