There is no permanent Hell, there is no permanent Heaven. Therefore, the suffering that we sense during this transition of life is not a permanent condition that we need to be afraid of. It’s not where we’re going to end up. We end liberated from the suffering either by death, or in life, by waking up to the nature of our situation and not clinging and grasping, screaming and being angry, resentful, irritable or insulted by our existence.
– Allen Ginsberg, “Negative Capability: Kerouac’s Buddhist Ethic”
April 17, 1997 – The Ups and Downs of Cancer This morning, I had the most wonderful massage from Elyse. This was the third in a series given to me by M. C. when she first heard about my cancer. The massage was sterling! Elyse did some amazing work on my back and abdomen. I feel t …
April 16, 1997 – Hi Ho, Hi Ho, It’s Off to Work I Go R. T., my boss, and I are met to discuss my raise and bonus, so I went to Menlo Park for the day. Marty Rossman was traveling to some Alternative Medicine conference in Orlando, so I drove him to the airport, which is on my way …
April 15, 1997 – Who Are the People in Your Neighborhood? My wife and I met Sylvia Boorstein at the Good Earth at 9:00 in the morning. We had such a delightful time speaking with her about everything from dharma to family drama. She is obviously a wonderful and caring person who …
I am of the nature to have ill-health. Ill-health is unavoidable.
I am of the nature to die. Death is unavoidable.
All that is dear to me and everyone I love are of the nature to change. Separating from them is inevitable.
My thoughts and words and deeds are my only true belongings. The results of my thoughts and words and deeds are inescapable.
– Buddha
My son-in-law has extended family in the Ukraine who are experiencing a lot of hardship and fear in this moment. We have decided to spend the next week and raise as much money as we can for the people in Ukraine. To help, please Venmo @beYouWithRachael.
April 14, 1997 – The Frog on the Leaf… Compared to yesterday, this was a fine day, but I was still haunted by the cost of cancer. I worked in the morning and then went to have a session with Alan Sheets. He worked on my knees, lower back, shoulders, cranium, and bladder. The se …
At night, alone in the moonlit fields, with the grasses and crickets to keep you company, it is possible to reclaim the vision you had when you originally set out on that path . . . Nature is the great teacher and always has been.
– Clark Strand, “Turn Out the Lights”
My son-in-law has extended family in the Ukraine who are experiencing a lot of hardship and fear in this moment. We have decided to spend the next week and raise as much money as we can for the people in Ukraine. To help, please Venmo @beYouWithRachael.
April 13, 1997 – Reframing a Bad Day I’m having a bad cancer day today. I woke up feeling tense and anxious and it took me around two hours to get in touch with what the problem was. I was feeling all of the financial pressure of paying for my cancer care and at the same time, ke …
Meditation, simply defined, is a way of being aware. It is the happy marriage of doing and being. It lifts the fog of our ordinary lives to reveal what is hidden; it loosens the knot of self-centeredness and opens the heart; it moves us beyond mere concepts to allow for a direct experience of reality.
– Lama Surya Das, “The Heart-Essence of Buddhist Meditation”
My son-in-law has extended family in the Ukraine who are experiencing a lot of hardship and fear in this moment. We have decided to spend the next week and raise as much money as we can for the people in Ukraine. To help, please Venmo @beYouWithRachael.
April 12, 1997 – When the Iron Bird Flies… Last night, our neighbors visited us. J. G. told me that she was invited to a dinner with the Dalai Lama some time in June! She said that she would try to get me invited without having to pay the $500 per plate. I was thrilled at the p …
We are not held back by the love we didn’t receive in the past, but by the love we’re not extending in the present.
– Marianne Williamson
My son-in-law has extended family in the Ukraine who are experiencing a lot of hardship and fear in this moment. We have decided to spend the next week and raise as much money as we can for the people in Ukraine. To help, please Venmo @beYouWithRachael.
April 11, 1997 – It’s Only Tennis!! I’m going to miss Leslie’s group this morning to play tennis! I played for almost two hours and I can still do my work for the day! t’s so nice to do something you enjoy so much! >>>Next… …
“Those who are not looking for happiness are the most likely to find it, because those who are searching forget that the surest way to be happy is to seek happiness for others.”
April 10, 1997 – Feel Good to Heal Good! I woke up very early this morning, feeling almost normal! Before I had cancer, I would wake up early, go down into my office, and begin working. This morning, I followed the same procedure, in spite of having taken a sleeping pill last nig …
April 9, 1997- Everyday I Get Better and Better! Today is the first day I didn’t feel the need to nap. This is possibly because I took a walk by the Bay in Sausalito. I found my favorite spot to sit for fifteen minutes doing my “healing… free” meditation. It was very pleasant a …
Avalokiteshvara, perceiver of the cries of the world, takes refuge in Buddha, will be a Buddha, helps all to be Buddhas, is not separate from Buddha, Dharma, Sangha — being eternal, intimate, pure and joyful. In the morning, be one with Avalokiteshvara, In the evening, be one with Avalokiteshvara, whose heart, moment by moment, arises, whose heart, moment by moment, remains!
– Enmei Jukku Kannon Gyo, Ten Phrase Life Prolonging Kannon Sutra
April 8, 1997 – Two-Pointedness! Today I went in for a check-up with Dr. Gullion, and saw Dr. Bobbie Head instead. My blood counts were good and there is no need to worry about infection. I asked about a more complete exam, but I was told that this was only to check the blood cou …
April 17, 1997 – The Ups and Downs of Cancer This morning, I had the most wonderful massage from Elyse. This was the third in a series given to me by M. C. when she first heard about my cancer. The massage was sterling! Elyse did some amazing work on my back and abdomen. I feel t …
