On leaving behind a teacher who's outlived their usefulness.
Maybe one should not have heroes, I once said, if only because they are mortal and have feet of clay and will inevitably disappoint you. But I know I have them.
On the disconnect between the highest and most refined forms of spiritual guidance, and the day-to-day suffering people have.
More notes on writing SF&F, as a Buddhist- and Zen-influenced author.
"Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world's grief." Easier said than done.
Even if you had it, then what?
Spiritual advice don't mean a thing if it don't come from within.
ON SF exhaustion, and the point of believing in tomorrow.
I write fiction because I do not want to die feeling I have had no control over my life.
The desire for something quick is not itself wrong.
In re: "Trying to find absolute rights and wrongs is a trick we play on ourselves to feel comfortable."
On training yourself to see the obvious things.
Given my interest in Zen, am I writing "Buddhist fiction"? I'm dubious.
My thoughts have become less in the vein of, "What is the wisdom to be sought?" and more in the vein of, "How is this wisdom to be germinated in each of us?" (Warning: Late-night blather-y.)
More on spiritual authority.
For sentient beings who have considered suicide when the world seemed to be enuf.
Me and my, uh, belief system, whatever you wanna call it.
I'll tell me what to really think.
You are, in fact, a special and unique snowflake. And this should terrify you.
Zen's "no-mind" means humility, not cultivated ignorance.
On not getting too attached.
Even our entertainments are works of art whether or not we like it, and have the chance to be taken very, very seriously by somebody out there.
Yet another example of pop spirituality getting it wrong.
Why am I, the atheist, reading a book of religious philosophy? Homework, but some other things too.
More on the general avoidance of discussions about spirituality in futurism.