It was a strong reaffirmation of Bhutan’s ancient traditions, of continuity in a time of a change, but also in some ways a symbol of this country’s gradual emergence into the modern world. More >>>
Bonsai — Morikami Park, Palm Beach County, FL
Friday, January 27, 2012
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The Dangerous Panic Over Painkillers
Friday, January 27, 2012
Is addiction a fate worse than unremitting, agonizing pain? To many people, the answer is absolutely not—particularly if the sufferer is close to death. But that’s not how our policymakers—and even many people affected by addiction—seem to view the issue.
While use of prescription opioids for cancer and other end-of-life pain is increasingly accepted, if you are going to suffer in agony for years, rather than months, mercy is harder to find. Indeed, it seems a given by the media that because addicts sometimes fake pain to get drugs, doctors should treat all patients as likely liars—and if a physician is conned by an addict, the doctor has only herself to blame.
Read more: http://www.thefix.com/content/fake-prescription-painkiller-epidemic9028
Safety Margins
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
I came as close to using drugs last night as I have in over 20 years. My experience — totally unexpected — draws a line under the reasons that we have to keep our heads in the right place, have supports available, and the several other things involved in maintaining our sobriety.
Teen With Autism, Communicates Through Typing
Friday, January 13, 2012
“What happened during that hour changed Jacob’s life (and ours) more dramatically than I ever dreamed possible…” http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/12/jacob-artson-teen-autism-typing_n_1184950.html
Philosophy and Addiction
Monday, January 9, 2012
Peg O’Connor at the NYT writes:
I introduce the notion of addiction as a subject of philosophical inquiry here for a reason. I am a philosopher, yes, but I am also an alcoholic who has been sober for more than 24 years ― only the last four of them as part of a recovery program. I am often asked how I got and stayed sober for those first 19 years; it was because of philosophy, which engendered in me a commitment to living an examined life, and gave me the tools and concepts to do so. My training in moral philosophy made it natural for me to wrestle with issues of character, responsibility, freedom, care and compassion in both work and life.
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/01/08/out-of-the-cave-philosophy-and-addiction/
King of Bhutan Weds
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Forest of Light
Friday, October 7, 2011
Sofan Chan paints lovely images of the Buddha in bright primary colors. For some reason I find them very much in the spirit of the Buddhism that I practice — focused on obtaining peace, often happiness, and occasional joy by looking at the world as clearly as I am able at a given time. (I’m not saying I’m good at it, I’m saying that my efforts bring me peace and joy — what’s not to like?) Anyway, if you’d like to see more of Chan’s work, even purchase some, click the image.
Disclaimer: I have no connection with the artist whatever; I just like the work.
Quote
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Science does itself a disservice if it pretends to be capable of answering all meaningful questions. Religion likewise sabotages itself when it dismisses findings of science in favor of pretty myths. To be truly powerful, both science and religion need to change and grow, hand in hand. Truth is more nearly to be found in unity of intellect and emotion, or unity of self and non-self. It is in that elusive place of balance where we become aware that the essences of things are not one way or another.
White, David M (2010-11-26). Zen Birding (p. 9). O-Books. Kindle Edition.
Is A Medical Detox From Alcohol Or Other Drugs Necessary?
Sunday, September 4, 2011
I received an email from a hard-nosed recovering addict/alcoholic who stated, in essence, that inpatient detox isn’t necessary, that he did it on his own, and that all anyone needs is a (little of this, little of that) to get through it just fine, and he knows a bunch of folks who did it that way, and…blah, blah, blah. Read the rest…
Why Do Addicts Keep Using Despite The Consequences? — Part 2
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
Previously we mentioned that the pleasure center is a portion of the brain over which we have no conscious control, and that it can be stimulated by a variety of chemicals — some of them produced inside our bodies and some that we introduce from outside. We said that the pleasure center rewards us for activities that it interprets as contributing in some way to our survival, whether they be social interactions, exercising, or more prosaic things such as eating. We also stated that these pleasurable feelings, when pursued too far or for too long can create problems. Now we need to examine how that happens….
http://sunrisedetox.com/blog/2011/08/24/addiction-alcoholism-compulsion-2/
Why Do Addicts Keep Using Despite The Consequences?
Sunday, August 21, 2011
Early in human history, there were probably few alcoholics or addicts because the alcohol content available in fermented fruit was low, and plants that produced other intoxicating substances were relatively scarce. The development of agriculture made it possible to insure supplies of grain for beer production, and enabled organized farming of other plant producers of mood-altering substances. …
Buddha World: The Mission To Build A Buddhist Amusement Park
Saturday, July 30, 2011
As bizarre as it sounds, there really are some folks building a Buddhist-themed amusement park in Thailand. And, even more bizarre, when you read about what’s being done it makes perfect sense. I put it on my list of things I’ll regret not having done when I’m facing the bardo.
But I can do the next best thing, and so can you. A couple of young filmmakers are attempting to raise enough money to fly to Thailand and make a documentary about the park. (No, I don’t know if they have deer in the park, so don’t ask.) Folks have underwritten their travel and living expenses, and they’re trying to raise $4K by August 26th for equipment and other expenses.
Subscribing with a reasonable donation (minimum is $1.00) will get you various bennies like a DVD of the finished film, etc. This is a great chance to be a part of a worthwhile effort to spread Dharma awareness. Give the website a look, and if you think it’s worth a few bucks, cough some up. It may be the closest you’ll ever get to a trip to Thailand.
http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/buddhaworld/buddha-world?ref=live
What will be the direction of American Buddhism?
Monday, July 18, 2011
GARRISON, N.Y. — Crosses still adorn one wall of this former Roman Catholic monastery, but a 6-foot golden Buddha now anchors the main room. The meditation hall, also used as a meeting space, is where the luminaries of Buddhism in the West recently gathered to debate.
The issue they were facing had been percolating for years on blogs, in Buddhist magazines and on the sidelines of spiritual retreats. It often played out as a clash of elders versus young people, the preservers of spiritual depth versus the alleged purveyors of “Buddhism-lite.” Organizers of the gathering wanted the finger-pointing to end. The future of American Buddhism was at stake, they said….
Read more: http://www.appeal-democrat.com/articles/generational-108402-shift-american.html
