Archive for January, 2009
Thursday, January 29th, 2009
Fundamentalism v. Cultural Conservatism
Daniel Larison tells us that there is a difference between fundamentalism and cultural conservatism. While I think he offers an interesting position, I’d also suggest that his working definition of fundamentalism is off. He says: The key characteristic of a genuinely fundamentalist mentality is its hostility to complexity, historical context and the possibility of a [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Politics,Writing by Michael McAlister
Thursday, January 29th, 2009
Revisiting Obama and McCain: an Integral analysis
If you’ve got the time, Corey DeVos and Clint Fuhs did a great job on analyzing various parts of the ’08 campaign from an Integral perspective. Check ‘em out. Bows, Corey DeVos & Clint Fuhs at Integral Life.
No Comments » - Posted in Politics,Theory & Practice by Michael McAlister
Thursday, January 29th, 2009
Ken Wilber on Obama
Here’s part of what Ken Wilber thinks of Obama: It is, of course, still too soon to make a solid judgment about this, but it seems safe to say that Barack Obama is likely moving into truly Integral waves of development and therefore beginning to evidence truly Integral values and positions. Combined with his already [...]
1 Comment » - Posted in Politics,Writing by Michael McAlister
Wednesday, January 28th, 2009
A Buddhist Military Sangha
Advertised as “An Online Resource for Buddhists Associated with the United States Armed Forces.” Welcome to the Buddhist Military Sangha! This is a nonpolitical and nonsectarian forum for Buddhists serving in the US Armed Forces. Interesting. via Buddhist Military Sangha.
No Comments » - Posted in Theory & Practice,Writing by Michael McAlister
Wednesday, January 28th, 2009
The G-word and the Superbowl
The WaPo has an interesting article about religiosity and the game: …the depth of convictions from evangelical Cardinals quarterback Kurt Warner to the Steelers who will do their best to plant him face-first into the ground on Sunday has put religion squarely in play this week. And we’ll hope that we can take Roderick Hood [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Theory & Practice,Writing by Michael McAlister
Monday, January 26th, 2009
Sex and Zen… in 3D?
Wow. I know what you’re thinking: this is all fun and games until somebody loses an eye. Shooting on the Chinese-language film 3D Sex And Zen, budgeted at 4 million US dollars, is scheduled for April with producers promising some of the most realistic close-up sex scenes ever. Yeah, so be careful. “Just imagine that [...]
No Comments » - Posted in People,Writing by Michael McAlister
Monday, January 26th, 2009
Scottish Buddhists Rejoice!
Finally, a vegetarian haggis recipe just like my Uncle Angus used to make: The other night I made a vegetarian version of the traditional Scottish dish, haggis, of which Wikipedia has the following to say: There are many recipes, most of which have in common the following ingredients: sheep’s ‘pluck’ heart, liver and lungs, minced [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Writing by Michael McAlister
Thursday, January 22nd, 2009
Real love vs. Egoic negotiation
Over at Wildmind, Sunada talks of her interpretation of attachment in relation to love: let’s clarify what the Buddha said about sexual relationships. He said that a man and a woman in a loving, supportive relationship are like a pairing of a god and a goddess. Hardly sounds like disapproval, does it? It turns out [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Chapter 8 - Commitment by Michael McAlister
Wednesday, January 21st, 2009
Podcast: When There is Nothing Left of Selfhood
In this podcast, Michael invites us to lose everything, especially ourselves. As ominous as this may sound, he goes on to suggest that in allowing ourselves to truly face the fact that, sooner or later, everything will be taken from us. Letting this recognition in to our conscious experience primes us for Awakening, even in [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Chapter 3 - Fear,Chapter 4 - Perspective,Podcast by Michael McAlister
Wednesday, January 21st, 2009
Obama’s Inaugural Buddhist Connection
Earlier today, elephant journal reported that Obama was keeping a prayer shawl from the Dalai Lama in his pocked during the inauguration. I then got this email from a friend of mine: From: “Richard C. Blum” Date: Tue, 20 Jan 2009 14:40:46 -0800 To: Lodi Gyari Subject: The Inauguration Dear Lodi: I hear that during [...]
No Comments » - Posted in People,Politics,Writing by Michael McAlister
Tuesday, January 20th, 2009
un-Botching the Botch
Ann Althouse, offered up this analysis of the botched oath of office. The Chief Justice in fact screwed up the oath. The Constitution requires: “I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend [...]
No Comments » - Posted in People,Politics by Michael McAlister
Tuesday, January 20th, 2009
Not a dream…
While I often refraign from making political matters the centerpiece of a day’s blogging, today I was overcome with the enormity of historical significance. Unfortunately, my wife, child, dog, and I couldn’t be in DC as we would have liked. So we watched on tv, online, via twitter, and in our own hearts and minds. [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Politics,Writing by Michael McAlister
Tuesday, January 20th, 2009
In This Moment…
Andrew Sullivan offers some nice Zen-inspired observation of the Innauguration.
No Comments » - Posted in Politics,Writing by Michael McAlister
Saturday, January 17th, 2009
Offering Dharma to Little Ones
I just came across an interesting link from The International Buddhist Society of Pennsylvania called “Dharma for Kids”. Interesting because my wife and I, along with several other parents in our sangha, have started to actively ask questions about how we offer the Dharma to our little ones. Do we have to reinvent, ahem, the [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Chapter 8 - Commitment,Chapter 9 - Confluence,Theory & Practice,Writing by Michael McAlister
Saturday, January 17th, 2009
Infinite Smile Podcast #202 – The Halfway Point
In this podcast, Michael discusses the issues surrounding teachers, teaching and the mistaken belief that an Awakening experience is the end of the spiritual journey. Infinite Smile » ISmile202 – The Halfway Point.
No Comments » - Posted in Part II: The Summit,Podcast by Michael McAlister
Friday, January 16th, 2009
Awareness and Having Sex With Groupies
Stuart Davis courageously (and hilariously) takes on the implications of our sexuality, ahem, co-arising with desire and identity: A little awareness goes a long way… toward ruining everything. I used to bang groupies. It was fun. I became a little more aware, and BAM, now I can’t even enjoy an internet Bukakke sight without my [...]
No Comments » - Posted in People,Theory & Practice,Writing by Michael McAlister
Friday, January 16th, 2009
There’s Plenty of Spirituality and Culture Even If It’s Ugly
Tricycle’s Philip Ryan takes me on in relation to one of my previous posts about the Dalai Lama’s comments concerning the global economic meltdown: … the Dalai Lama’s statement is absolutely right. What caused the bubble and all the imaginary money was indeed greed and materialism, and if there was ever a time to look [...]
No Comments » - Posted in People,Politics,Theory & Practice by Michael McAlister
Thursday, January 15th, 2009
Daily Routines of the Creatives
Spending time as a monk shows us how the structure of our days can support our practice as much as meditation itself. An interesting component to monastic study. So I’ve always wondered about the daily routines of people who have awakened to something deeply creative within themselves. Update: After showing my wife the daily routine [...]
No Comments » - Posted in Writing by Michael McAlister
Thursday, January 15th, 2009
Norman Fischer’s Zen Primer
Norman Fischer’s Nothing Holy: A Zen Primer is worth the read. It’s brief, informative, and points its readers toward what is both essential and revealing about the crash of the Zen wave in America. (Bows to Shambhala Sun Space)
No Comments » - Posted in Chapter 9 - Confluence,People,Theory & Practice by Michael McAlister
Thursday, January 15th, 2009
Dalai Lama as DeNiro as LaMotta
This list cracked me up. Be sure to check it out and scroll down, (Bows to the worst horse)
