Oct 12, 2022The “Spiritual Gospel” of JohnIts Beauty and Its Issues — Excerpt from Original Sin Is A Lie: How Spirituality Defies Dogma and Reveals Our True Self by Bob Peck. Available now. In the Synoptic Gospels (Mark, Matthew, and Luke), Jesus mostly talks about the “kingdom of God”. In both the Gospel of John and the Gospel of Thomas, he makes…Cosmic Christ9 min readCosmic Christ9 min read
Jun 8, 2022Stop the SpeculatingThe Buddha on The Only Thing That Matters — Back in 2015, I hosted a monthly philosophy group called Think & Drink. I got bored of endless small talk, so I started an intentional meetup around substantial topics that took place at a local bar in Austin, Texas. And at this gathering, I would tell a parable so often…Buddhism2 min readBuddhism2 min read
Apr 6, 2022Preserving the Soul of AustinBurgers, Comanches, and the Inevitability of Change — Dirty’s might finally have to close their doors. The iconic hamburger joint in Austin, Texas, which has been the source of countless greasy, delicious patties since 1926, is under threat of shutting down thanks to a new city bus lane proposal. …Austin5 min readAustin5 min read
Jan 22, 2022Gratitude For A Modern BodhisattvaA brief tribute to Thích Nhất Hạnh — I was lucky enough to have open-minded parents in Texas. Not only did my mom & dad not disapprove of my early interfaith inquiries, they both encouraged me to learn about spiritual traditions outside of American Christianity, the religion of their parents. …Thich Nhat Hanh4 min readThich Nhat Hanh4 min read
Dec 4, 2021Member-onlyThe Present Never Runs OutFleeting thoughts on the practicality of stillness — When the Buddha was asked, “Sir, what do you and your monks practice?” he replied, “We sit, we walk, and we eat.” The questioner continued, “But sir, everyone sits, walks, and eats.” And the Buddha told him, “When we sit, we know we are sitting. When we walk, we know…Meditation5 min readMeditation5 min read
Aug 12, 2021Member-onlyBefriending a NaziMy grandfather’s legacy is kindness — My grandfather, Tommy Rochelle, served in WWII. Like most able-bodied young men of his generation, he went overseas to fight Hitler’s fascist threat to the world. In the 1930s and 40s, Grandpa Tommy worked in the radio business as a DJ, so his army commanders put him in the communications…Friendship3 min readFriendship3 min read
Apr 7, 2021Member-onlyChrist Brought a Sword, To Cut Through the VeilA brief point on the literal vs. the symbolic — “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” — Jesus, Gospel of Matthew 10:34 When I was around eight years old, accompanying my Baptist best friend to his Christian summer camp, I remember how surprised…Mysticism3 min readMysticism3 min read
Jan 13, 2021“This is a table.”Grappling with Nonduality and “the Illusion” — This place is a dream. Only a sleeper considers it real. Then death comes like dawn, and you wake up laughing at what you thought was your grief. — Jalaluddin Rumi Towards the end of a lovely family dinner, after hours of wine, funny stories and entertaining yet relatively trivial…Nonduality6 min readNonduality6 min read
Dec 16, 2020The Future Ought To Be FemaleAmerica is Laughably, Infuriatingly Behind — Watching The Crown this past week, specifically Margaret Thatcher’s inauguration as prime minister of Britain, and becoming increasingly disillusioned at how backwards, how Neanderthal we are in America (still) when it comes to female leadership. At least 79 countries have had a female leader and Jake Tapper had the audacity…Women3 min readWomen3 min read
Published in New Earth Consciousness·Oct 13, 2020Member-onlyDemystifying Mystic PhilosophyAn Intro to the Non-Institutional Internal Path — If you realize that all things change, there is nothing you will try to hold on to. — Lao Tzu This world is constantly attempting to provoke a response to its seemingly endless stimuli. React to this! Judge that! Enjoy this! Hate that! And as soon as you finish engaging…Philosophy20 min readPhilosophy20 min read
