Nov 09
Yes, of course, we are stunned, dumbstruck, incredulous, heartbroken. But what on earth can we do about it? Here are seven “first responder” suggestions, to begin to heal: We can go ahead, bitch, moan, complain, tear out our hair, even throw up, lay down on the linoleum, cry, pound our fists, kick our feet. That’s only …
Oct 11
“ Politics is the art of looking for trouble, finding it whether it exists or not, diagnosing it incorrectly, and applying the wrong remedy – Ernest Benn Yes, we monks and nuns will probably vote for one or the other, (more likely the one,) but our hearts are not into it. Few of us have been …
Oct 10
“I’d pray for the m.f’er to be thrown off his yacht, with cinder blocks chained to each leg,” one poker playing monk buddy responded when I brought up the question of how we should pray for the Duck. “And one around his neck for good measure,” another chimed in. A …
Jul 24
I was recently asked to return to my old counseling job to fill in for an old colleague who had been forced to take a leave of absence. At first, it was to be quite temporary, just a week or two, but it turned into two months. That gig ended, I’m happy to report, just …
Aug 02
The Abbot and his wife and I and my wife will soon (August 9th) be off on a five week pilgrimage to monasteries and holy places in England and Scotland. If you want to subscribe to my journal for his venture (who knows what it will be?) sign up at bear@beargebhardt.com Travel is what old …
Jun 15
I’ve recognized I’m probably more artist-monk than anything else. Jut for fun I recently “numbered” my various identities in accordance with which ones fit best. “Artist Monk” comes out #1. (“Bear Jack Gebhardt” comes out at #2. Like everyone else, I have 10 or 20 other regular “lesser” identities that rise up and …
Jun 10
Went to a satsang last night at our local Unity Church. (“Satsang at Unity”: A promising combo, yes?) Alas, I guess I have too much cowboy in me, or cranky old geezer or new millennium artist to go along with the program. I was disappointed. To begin with, if it had been a Christian Science …
Jun 08
Had a few monks over after work on Friday to drink some beer, smoke a little herb and play bocce ball. (All three of these are legal recreations, here in Colorado.) Last year in my back yard I put in a dedicated bocce ball court, for just such upbeat sacramental occasions. (In our sangha, bud …
Apr 01
The Basic Renunciation +++At Heart Mountain Monastery our basic “renunciation practice” is to renounce crabbiness, unhappiness, worry, ill-at-ease-ness. We intuit that the ideal daily life of a contemporary monk or a nun is a life of joy, of peace and especially (with all the wars raging and whatnot) good humor. Whether we engage this practice …
Mar 05
Lately, I’ve been happy being a monk. In fact, when telemarketers call, and start in on their spiel, I often politely interrupt and tell the economically enslaved person on the other end of the line, “Sorry, friend, we are monks and nuns here, and don’t . . . (answer surveys, need new siding, have mortgage issues, …
Jan 19
Was hiking in the hills (through the mud) with some friends a day or so ago, and as friends and hikers are want to do, ended up talking about the bigger picture. One thread led to another and, as we were heading back down the hill, I found myself asking my buddy on the muddy …
Oct 10
Yay, it’s here! After threatening to write this book for many decades, How to Stop Smoking in 15 Easy Years— A Slacker’s Guide to Final Freedom arrived on my doorstep this week. Twenty copies! I’m tickled with this book. In all humility, I know it’s different, and easier and fresher and funner than any other …
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