Category: Dharma Journal

I am dreaming and I observe the six bardos floating in space. The six bardos, or “in-between” states are: this life, dreaming, meditation, death, the luminous space between death and rebirth, and birth. In...

One of my spiritual mentors noticed how many people struggle with finding harmony in relationships. He said, “You will never find harmony until you are able to give what you want.” This is one...

As I mentioned when my mother was in the last stages of dying, I gave in and purchased a smart phone to enable better communication with hospice, medical staff, and other caregivers. I used...

I am wandering through a large mansion with many rooms. Every nook and cranny is filled with stuff—books, nicknacks, old mantle clocks, toys in working order and disrepair, and people. Each person I encounter...

I had a dream the other night in which one of my Buddhist spiritual teachers came to town but I did not know it. He showed up at the Dharma Center after one of...

On this Christmas Day I ponder past celebrations with family. My most settled and memorable Christmases were during the late 50’s and early 60’s. I was still feeling Santa as a palpable energy and...

Mom passed away this morning. Upon her last breath, a single tear seeped out and bathed her right cheek. My tears began where hers ended—and I have been weeping throughout the day. Amidst the...

As mom lay dying, I watch her trying to find a restful position as she twitches and raises her hand to scratch her head. She does not have the strength to move her whole...

I am one of those rare folks who walks around without a cell phone. My (and the Dharma Center’s) primary phone is a landline. I do have an emergency flip phone that lives in...

As you know from reading these journal entries, my mother is in hospice care. She is approaching her final days or weeks in her current body. She recently began refusing food and stays in...