Family Day and Machine Guns : August 24

A family day in the Marley-Jester home in East Anchorage. A dedicated time this weekend to reconnect as family, to play, talk, cook...together. A few minutes ago, I walked upstairs and was distracted by the haunting sounds of machine guns firing just a couple miles away--the Army doing "training exercises." Questions come to mind, like, what is the purpose of training these young men and women to kill? Do they know, or care? Is it to protect "freedom?" Freedom for whom? Democracy? What is democracy, really? Human rights? Whose rights? Or is it about preserving capitalism, that which ensures the elite continue to prosper and stay safe in their bubble? Who decides?...

Joshu´s Washing the Bowl

(From Gateless Gate, Case 7)

A monk told Joshu, "I have just entered the monastery. I beg you to teach me." Joshu asked, "Have you eaten your rice porridge?" The monk replied, "I have." "Then," said Joshu, "Go and wash your bowl." At that moment the monk was enlightened.

Doing what needs to be done, taking care of what is right here, right now: eating breakfast, washing dishes, saying good morning, driving to work...