The Truth-Teller, the Disturber, and the Black Sheep
How silence shapes families, workplaces, and cultures — and those who dare to break it. Every human group — families, … Read More
Vocation: Presence Over Performance … Service Over Self
At first, I thought “vocation” meant chasing a dream. Cooking was the vocation I had a fire for—I had the … Read More
What’s Been Asking to Be Written Lately
When I first decided to bring my writing out of my personal journaling and into the public blog back in … Read More
The Emotional Intelligence Behind Relational Honesty
The Paradox of Truth Telling There’s a pattern I’ve come to know—not just in others, but also in myself. In … Read More
The Heart of Moral Life Is Relational
I have immersed myself in David Brooks books. I’d recommend his books. Both “The Second Mountain: The Quest for a … Read More
Local Markets – What They Show Us About Ourselves
The Unresolved Witness I’ve wandered through markets all over the world and I still don’t know how to talk about … Read More
From ‘Merikkkah to Sabai Sabai – One Year Later…
The Year That Was… (Context & Milestones) It’s been a year… and what a year it was. I left behind … Read More
Listening: Connection Before Correction
When we speak, we are not asking to be advised, fixed, or given solutions. We are asking to be seen. … Read More
Following the Voice, Learning to Let Go
This morning I sit in a small Istanbul coffee shop along the Bosphorus. The city hums and pulses around me … Read More
The Dark Roads of Trust and Its Ghosts
I travel down dark streets through Thailand at night. There are no police patrols, no one to call if something … Read More
In the Wake of “Yes”: Living with Ambivalence & Paradox
A Natural Part of Change I’m sitting in the middle of monsoon season, again. It’s raining every day, carving rivers … Read More
Nothing to Prove, Everything to Give
For most of my life, I believed love, closeness and affection had to be earned. That I needed to be … Read More
In the Company of Belonging: Finding Home in Aloneness, Loneliness, and Solitude
Can you believe it’s been a full year since I moved to Thailand? In that time, I’ve been navigating … Read More
The Paradox of “Saving Face”
Verb save face – third-person singular simple present – saves face – present participle – saving face – simple past … Read More
Letting Go to Begin Again
It’s been anything but quiet, and not by accident. A lot has changed. Some of it was planned—some of it … Read More
Uncertainty & Desire
I approach the one-year mark of retiring from a 25-year academic career and moving to Thailand. Life has brought me … Read More
Remembering Jay – First Yahrzeit
I sit here and write this at “The Much Room Cafe” in Chiang Mai, Thailand. I like to come here … Read More
Divided No More – Part 2
I have written a couple of pieces about how I was living a split and divided life. This division within … Read More
Vulnerability as Surrender
I have been on a search for universal truths that all humans experience and can relate to. I have also … Read More
The First 6 Months In Thailand
It’s hard to believe how time fly’s by sometimes and it’s been over three months since I have posted a … Read More
The Mercy & Compassion Workspace
What is Mercy? I’m not sure if I’m qualified to be talking about the topic of mercy. I don’t know … Read More
Sovereignty of Mind
Alexis Wright, an aboriginal writer from Australia, writes about the end of the world being a reoccurring event that has … Read More
Grief, Despair, Hope & Love
I wish you could have met my Grandpa Jack. He was one of the most loving and kind men I … Read More
Don’t Get Too Comfortable In Your Life
Today is a day I am reminded of a mantra I have in my life… “Don’t get too comfortable in … Read More
Quest for Connection – The Nurturing “Mother” & Gender Imbalance
I keep learning every day. Thailand history, culture, ways of life, Thai relationship styles, Buddhism, family values, economics, traffic laws, … Read More
The $1,000,000 Question
Why did you move to Thailand? That is the $1,000,000 question. I get asked more times than I can remember. … Read More
The Heart’s Vocational Passion
I have experienced 25 years immersed in bureaucratic, union based, government funded, non- profit, community college, workplace institution. Bringing out … Read More
Spring/Summer 2024 – Chiang Mai, Thailand
PWM – BOS – DOH – BKK – CNX I popped for the exit aisle seats for the 19 hours … Read More
Divided No More
It’s been about 6 weeks since I arrived in Thailand. Landing in Chiang Mai continues to feel like home. Close … Read More
After 5 Years … Almost There
Historic 5-years It’s been 5 years since I returned back to the USA from my sabbatical in Asia. That was … Read More
What is a Good & Flourishing Life?
This is one of the big questions occupying much mind space and time in my contemplations. With my father’s passing, … Read More
The End Of An Era – My Father’s Passing – April 2024
Life’s Transition Point I sit here at one of the many transitions my life has offered to me. A time … Read More
The Cycle of Trauma & Violence
America – Land of the Not So Free, Home of the Not So Brave Today is the day I … Read More
Trust, Loyalty & Relationships
Life continues to be a learning experience throughout my journey through Thailand. Staying in Northern Thailand for months has taught … Read More
Wherever You Go… There You Are – The Practice is the Same
I have gotten used to traveling by the seat of my pants. With little itinerary and only a couple weeks … Read More
The Transactional Relationship
There has been something I have been noticing in my journey through Thailand once again. I am being reminded of … Read More
The Next Chapter – Retirement
In September of this year, I will experience my 55th trip around the sun. It’s hard to believe how fast … Read More
Virtuosity of Happiness
The Different Facets of Happiness The tour of Thailand I am on now is different than the last times I … Read More
Patriarchal Conflict & It’s Reconstruction
The Starting Point… Patriarchal Conflict & It’s Reconstruction… Making my way to Asia once again I have chosen to look … Read More
The Exchange – Reciprocity
I have been curiously fascinated by the intricate dances we do as humans in the many relationships we maintain with … Read More
Masculine Shame & Fear of Emotions
I have spent the good part of my adult life discovering empowering ways to take off the masks and armor … Read More
Passivity & Passive Aggression
Passive Aggression = Avoidance of Conflict Why can’t we just say what we mean, ask for what we want and … Read More
Self-Deception & The Unmasking
The “Do Me” Culture America is the leader of materialism and consumerism in the world. This materialism has brought forth … Read More
My Intentions in the Release of Facebook
I remember the day I signed up for Facebook (Fakebook/FB). My wife had just walked out on me, abandoning … Read More
The Abuse of Power – Bolivar, Colombia
What life is… fear, rage, desire, and love … to stop feeling these emotions and to stop wanting to feel … Read More
Trusting & Allowing Guidance from the Universe – Medellin, Colombia
The topic of “What the universe put in front of us/you/me” has been occupying some space in my head recently. … Read More
Why Do People Travel? – Medellin, Colombia
When I was first introduced to traveling, I was about 11 years old. My aunt and uncle in New York … Read More
Love Has No Boundaries
When I’ve opened up and reveal my deepest insecurities and speak the truth I feel extremely vulnerable And to protect … Read More
The Price People Have Paid for OUR Freedom – Lima, Peru
If you are looking for some happy go lucky piece of writing from me here about my travels, then I … Read More
Cusco, Pero – Machu Picchu – The Ways of the Inca
As much as I have studied the great traditions and their mystical components, being in Peru, the Incas and shamans … Read More
Kindness, Good Nature, Affection, Generosity in Lima, Peru
It was unfortunate that I felt I had to leave Ecuador last minute. I believe it was a good decision … Read More
Civil Unrest & The Human Condition – Ecuador and Peru
This is a tough one for me to write. I’ve been in a bit of a tough spot inside myself … Read More
The Conservation Effort at Its Best – The Pacific Ocean Archipelago – Galapagos Islands
Since I was going to be in Colombia, Ecuador and Peru I wanted to make sure I made it to … Read More
Worthy of Desire… (Almost At The Galapagos)
It’s been a great 10 days so far on this South American adventure. Cartagena, Colombia did exactly what I thought … Read More
Family Values – Cartagena de Indias, Bolivar, Colombia
Family Values Traveling reveals many of the similarities and differences in the planets humanity and the way humans choose to … Read More
The Emergence of a New Sacred Intimacy – Diversity/Equity & Inclusion/Discrimination
Something happens to me when I travel great distances. Something in me shifts. It’s easier for me to get into … Read More
Ethical Capitalism?
The foundation of America was built upon capitalism, consumerism and competition. It’s as if the use of the word “capitalism” … Read More
Carbondale to Flagstaff to Phoenix to The Grand Canyon (A little long)
Breathing Life Over the course of my family’s life they have created and collected art. When you live in a … Read More
Coming Home
A question that was posed to me recently and has kept spinning around in my head was “What does it … Read More
What Was I Thinking?
Today is the fifth day on the road. I’ve really been taking it easy and not driving all day. Stopping … Read More
How Do You Do It?
How Do You Do It? It’s quite the question, I know. And I have not written on this blog in … Read More
Listening with Empathy vs. Listening to Respond
Well, well, well… it’s been a long while since I’ve written anything… not sure how to use this blog/website … Read More
Trying to come home…
No, thank you, I don’t want a conversation about the sport teams you like While you lecture me about the … Read More
Fed Up & Food Choices – Video Documentaries
My trip to India and S.E. Asia opened my eyes to a lot of things around food that we are … Read More
Sharing and Requesting Forgiveness
This ceremony is a part of monastic discipline, and a custom, established by the Buddha which supports skilful parting of … Read More
Protected: Fullness of Presence vs. Personal Agendas
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
Oh Daddy….
I’m not really sure about this piece of writing and putting it on my blog. There are people in my … Read More
It’s Slow Going…
This is going to be a long one… just so you are aware up front. ???? It’s been about two … Read More
A Little Lost … back in Westbrook, Maine
I applied for a year-long sabbatical in November 2017 and couldn’t do any real planning until I received signed paperwork … Read More
Finding My Way Back Home – Which is where?
Back in November, I straightened out all of the flights (5) that I booked before leaving the USA, knowing full … Read More
A Glimpse Into The Foods Of Vietnam – Hanoi, Vietnam
After 7 months of traveling and doing research for my sabbatical… “How Culture’s View of Communal Cooking Fosters Rich Human … Read More
10 days in Hanoi, Vietnam
I arrived here in Hanoi, Vietnam after 9 days in Cambodia tropical paradise. I managed to allow myself to come … Read More
Some of What I Learned After One-Month In Cambodia
It was REALLY hard to leave the white sand beaches and sleeping in a hut on top of the ocean … Read More
Development in Paradise and Our Collective Moral Values – Koh Rong Sanloem and Sihanoukville, Cambodia
Today is my last day in Koh Rong Sanloem before I make my way to Hanoi, Vietnam. This is one … Read More
Making The Choice… We Are Born Into Love, We Are Conditioned To Fear – Koh Rong Sanloem, Cambodia
I wrote a blog about being stripped of identity and it’s been occupying time and space inside of me these … Read More
Developing Countries (Cambodia), Everything is a Dream – The Island of Koh Rong Samloem
It’s a new moon… night of darkness. A reminder of what might be working astrologically speaking… The Aquarius New Moon … Read More
Jungle to Genocide – Phnom Penh, Cambodia
On my last couple days in Siem Reap I wanted … Read More
Stripped of Identity… “Who am I?” – Phnom Penh, Cambodia
Is it a coincidence that I’ve been pondering the concept of “who am I?” while I’m in a place like … Read More
Angkor Temples – Siem Reap, Cambodia
It’s still hard to believe that it’s been 6 months that I’ve been traveling through Asia. I am still feeling … Read More
Love is a verb – Love is Action – Siem Reap, Cambodia
I’ve been here in Cambodia going on 6 days and I have not been moved to write. I wrote about … Read More
Some Of What I Learned From 2-months In Thailand
It’s hard to believe that my 60-day Thailand visa expires Saturday and I will be on the next leg of … Read More
Loving the Present Moment Open – Bangkok, Thailand
It’s pretty obvious to say… the flow of love feels great and facing into fears do not. Is fear holding … Read More
My Soul’s Aching For Your Love
The union of the soul’s longing is found in love Where doubts and fear are obstacles to hopes of being … Read More
Growing Intimacy Through Exclusivity and BDSM
We live in a time with Tindering hookups, immediate gratifications through the internet and easy access to pornography and sex … Read More
To Loving Well
My sharp edges are being rounded off, like a carpenter’s chamfer Softening, weathered by wisdom of the ages, being still, … Read More
Chef’s sabbatical: An analysis of chef’s gastronomic research through culinary tourism
In my search of the internet to see if there was anyone else that had done some degree of food … Read More
The Duality of Human Nature and The Search for Universality – Thailand, February 4, 2019
Just below our rational façade of humanity lies a turbulent darkness that is kept in check by the good that … Read More
Gastro-battical 2018-2019 – Thailand – February 3, 2019
I know some of you are probably tired of listening to my rants of spirituality and love and Buddhist dharma. … Read More
The Only Way is Through The Darkness – Yasothon, Thailand – February 2, 2019
I sit here on Kay and Jilly’s farm in Yasothon, Thailand after a week on the farm. A week of … Read More
A Chinese, Jew, Arabian, Thai, Australian, Hindu, Tibetan all go camping together … January 31, 2019
Did that get your attention? – – – – – – – – – – – – – – … Read More
Part 3 – How Culture’s View of Communal Cooking Fosters Rich Human Connection – “To Give Life” – Bangkok to Nakhon Pathom to Yasothon, Thailand – January 28, 2019
This post might be a little long. I’ve been away from my computer for a week and have made some … Read More
Part 2 – How Culture’s View of Communal Cooking Fosters Rich Human Connection – January 22, 2019
There is so much to this topic. After I wrote part 1, I realized there was a part 2 to … Read More
How Culture’s View of Communal Cooking Fosters Rich Human Connection – Bangkok, Thailand – January 20, 2019
This topic has been the focus and intention for my sabbatical and travels here in South and Southeast Asia. The … Read More
Paed Tidt 8-Directional Sak Yant – Chiang Mai, Thailand – January 18, 2019
When I decided I was coming to Thailand I wanted to investigate the possibility of getting a Sak Yant tattoo. … Read More
How We See Others Is How We See Ourselves – Part 2 – The Dance of Defensiveness and Taking Things Personally
One of the big lessons Thailand is teaching me is how I cannot take things personally or get defensive when … Read More
Expectations and Hidden Shadow Issues … Chiang Mai, January 14, 2019
Didn’t your mother always tell you that life isn’t fair? After a week of eating good food and exercising I … Read More
The Food Markets of Thailand – January 10, 2019
After exploring all the daily open markets in India, Nepal and now Thailand, it has become blatantly obvious to me … Read More
What Does It Mean To Be Freed from Oppression and Suffering?
What does it mean to be free? To experience the joys of the freedom of expression? To be free from … Read More
The Grand Palace & The Emerald Buddha & The Reclining Buddha – All That Glitters Is Gold – January 10, 2019
I have arrived at Chiang Mai and I feel like I’m forcing this particular writing because it’s been a while … Read More
Giving and Receiving are NOT the same – January 2. 2019
I have had the beginnings of this writing in my draft folder for a long time and it’s about time … Read More
Entering The New Year in Thailand – December 31, 2018
It’s a glorious day here on Pattaya Beach. Spending New Year’s Eve morning at Laguna Beach resort at the pool … Read More
You Can Live Life The Way You Want – Pattaya, Thailand – December 27 – 29, 2018
I found that it typically takes me 3-5 days to really settle into a new place after I move from … Read More
Bangkok, Thailand – December 19 – 24, 2018
During the last 3+ months of my travel through India and Nepal I was staying at Airbnb’s of families who … Read More
What I learned after 3-months in Nepal and India
There’s no doubt… when I was first planning this adventure I had fear in me… and other people were scared … Read More
Life is simple… So are the answers… We are all the same…
It’s been so nice staying here in Pokhara, Nepal waking up every day to the Annapurna Mountains waving their majesty … Read More
Humility – Annapurna Conservation Trek – December 2-7
After only five days in the Annapurna Mountains… or is it… after five long days in the Annapurna Mountains… I … Read More
Teaching In Pokhara, Nepal – Happiness is Happiness / Truth is Truth – November 30, 2018
It’s just amazing to me what unfolds when I can let go of making things in my life happen. My … Read More
Ego/World Centric Thinking & Responsible Tourism in Pokhara, Nepal with Tibetan Encounters
I thought about traveling to the Mt. Everest region while I was here. Go big or go home has been … Read More
Kathmandu, Nepal – November 22, 2018
I have had four full days here in Kathmandu, Nepal and it feels like it’s time to write. Even after … Read More
Is Living Hard In India? Is Living Life Meant To Be Difficult?
There’s been a conversation going on around me and also on the internet about how living in India can be … Read More
Kerala’s Agricultural Mecca
I had no idea that when I planned to come to Kerala instead of Goa or Sri Lanka what I … Read More
One Pot Cooking and How It Creates A Sense Of Belonging
One of the main intentions I had in coming to India on sabbatical was to see, feel and experience how … Read More
Southern Indian Culinary Extravaganza – Kochi, Kerala – October 29…. Til now
After staying with Reeta Gupta’s family and her home in Varanasi I’ve learned to appreciate what it means to stay … Read More
Rishikesh – Mussoorie – Dehradun – October 23-29
I realized that I forgot to write about my time in-between the sadhana mandir ashram and my trip down south … Read More
Practice What You Preach – Never Take Things Personally – Everything Happens For Your Benefit
10/29/2018 – I write this on the airplane traveling from Delhi to Kochi, India while 2/3 of the people on … Read More
Mystery/Uncertainty
Having been in India for over a month now I have learned so much about this country, the culture and … Read More
Being at Peace….
There’s been a conversation going on in my life for a while that discusses what it means to be at … Read More
Meditation and Its Practice – Sadhana Mandir Ashram – October 19-22, 2018
I arrived here in Rishikesh on October 17, 2018 and made my way to Swami Rama’s Sadhana Mandir Ashram. Why … Read More
From Varanasi to Rishikesh – October 17, 2018
After 24 days in Varanasi it was time for me to make my way to Rishikesh for meditation and yoga. … Read More
10-day Vipassana Course – Noble Silence – Insight
I have wanted to take a 10-day vipassana course since a few friends told me about it a few years … Read More
Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple aka The Golden Temple
I couldn’t get to this piece of writing before I left due to time constraints and wanted to write about … Read More
Holy Cow! The Cow is Sacred?
Rohit (the dairy farmer) was talking to me about the cows he raises and the cows that are in the … Read More
Dinner at the Dairy Farm
Last night was a special night. I was invited to Reeta’s sons (Rohit) home for dinner last night. Rohit runs … Read More
Foods of Varanasi…
I’ve been wanting to write about my experience with the food since I have gotten here and there’s been so … Read More
Faith…. Devotion… Karma….
Varanasi is a town where it’s Hindi people display a level of devotion like I have never experienced. It doesn’t … Read More
What is Success? In Business? In Our Relationships? – Day 4
Last night we had a beautiful conversation over cocktails and dinner with yet more new friends I was being introduced … Read More
Assi and Burning Ghats – Day 3 – September 24
There is just so much to take in as I’m bombarded with data in a new way of being here … Read More
Jumping in The Blender – Day 1 – September 22
After about 10,000 kilometers, 42 hours of travel and many security check points with men with automatic weapons and my … Read More
All Systems “Go”… but what if….
As I sit here in the home I’ve been living for the last 10+ years with all of my personal … Read More
Implementing Peace
Inspired by my many teachers… I came back to Thich Nhat Hanh’s teaching about the five mindfulness training’s this week … Read More
Some Fears Around Sabbatical…
After almost two decades of teaching at Southern Maine Community College I finally decide to take advantage of their sabbatical … Read More
A Sabbatical to Explore Life !?!?
In attempt to journal and document the next year in my life I need to do some back story to … Read More
Fears Contraction…
After we have an experience to an opening through God’s love in our human experience it is natural to contract … Read More
Love is Content – The Surrendered State
One of the first things we need to understand about form and content is that they are both part of … Read More
Your Heart is so very powerful….
Your heart is the most important aspect of your being…that may sound controversial…in this world of doing…of personal “accomplishment”…of conquering…of … Read More
Love is Extension
Love is one of life’s greatest mysteries and to try to define love’s meaning is said to be far beyond … Read More
How We Choose To See Others Is How We See Ourselves
We are the universe’s creations and so is every person that we look upon regardless of the past history or … Read More
Our Becoming…
What is it like to be a human being? To experience this life as it is in all it’s “beingness”? … Read More
Love is Content – The Surrendered State
One of the first things we need to understand about form and content is that they are both part of … Read More
Implementing Peace
We have a tendency to think that our suffering comes from the situations in the outside world and from others, … Read More
How We Choose To See Others Is How We See Ourselves
We are the universe’s creations and so is every person that we look upon regardless of the past history or … Read More
As Within, So Without – As Above, So Below
A powerhouse in a way of being in relationship with self, other and the universe is in the constant mirrored … Read More
The Restorative Relationship Experience
After reading Stanley Siegal’s Book, Your Brain On Sex. I wanted to write about his “restorative relationship” experience and how … Read More
ReWilding The Masculine – Part 3 – The Warrior
We are living at a time where warrior energy is being highly scrutinized for its shadow qualities found in warfare, … Read More
Inclusion’s Lack Of Discernment
Everybody’s got a place in the circle. Inside the circle, as opposed to a line quality which is about competition, … Read More
The Inter-Marriage of the Line/Circle
One of the tantric living principles is the “Intermarriage”. The intermarriage of the opposites that bring possibility for unity and … Read More
Dear Daddy…
A girl narrates a letter to her dad as she grows up, and it makes rape culture obvious. By Angie Aker … Read More
Sex IS Ethics!! The Driving Force of Our Existence
Why it’s so hard to enter into the territory of “Sex IS Ethics”? Why is it so taboo? Sex is … Read More
Divining the Masculine – Part 2 – The Lover
The phallus, penis, cock, dick, member, pecker, prick, putz, tool, shaft, johnson, schlong, woody, manhood has always stood as a … Read More
Divining the Masculine – Part 1 – The Disappearance of Masculine Ritual Processes
Recently, I have experienced friendly and intense discussions with clients and close friends about “divining the masculine” and what that … Read More
A Walk In The Park…. (prose)
Glorious days in Maine when the summer sunlight dims earlier in the day and makes the radiance of openness even … Read More
An Evolution Into Post-Conventional Relationship
What relationship type do you adhere to? Conventional monogamy…open relationship… polyamory… relationship anarchy… non-monogamy… and what I am going to … Read More
The BDSM Mysticism – Domination and Submission
We live in a culture of sexuality where people can be confused around their desire to engage in the acts … Read More
Relationship as Spiritual Practice
Modern-day relationships are challenging and full of opportunities for increased personal awareness and growth. As our society enters a time … Read More
Stopping The Proliferation Of Our Erotic Disembodiment
As I was growing up in the urban area of Chicago and coming into myself as a sexual being there … Read More
Completing The Circle With Tantric Principles (and a free class)
Connecting lineages which I have become a part of has become such an important part of my evolution. When I … Read More
My Erotic Journey Into The Internet, Once Again…
The long arduous hours of web programming with the intention of hitting a larger audience to ultimately bring people together … Read More
The Dance of Dominance/Submission and The “Switch”
It’s been too long since I created the time to sit and write my thoughts out. The last half a … Read More
Outrageous Love Letter #2
There is no end to our beginning, the pouring sweat and tears is ours, the pleasure is ours. Not for … Read More
Speaking Your Truth – Without Shame or Blame
How many times have you sat with your thoughts about loving someone, or some negative event regarding someone and were … Read More
Vulnerability in “Sexing”
Vulnerability…what does it mean? It means getting outside the protective ego and exposing your weaknesses and your desires in the … Read More
Outrageous Love Letter
Dear Lover… Meet me in the wildest place of your dreams…where our dreams meet together to find us in places … Read More
Intimate-Compassionate Conversation and Shadow
Entering into intimate/sexual space with others requires an awareness in communicating our thoughts to others without shaming or blaming the … Read More
Non-Ejaculation Practice For Men
After a conversation with a beautiful new friend last night I became aware of how important it is for me … Read More
There Is No Conflict Between What You Want & What The World Wants
There is a conversation in my men’s circles around speaking your truth without shame or blame and asking for what … Read More
Embracing Change Through Loving Well
I want to start this off by dividing change into two categories. First is the change that we put forth … Read More
What does it mean to “Love Well”? … Winter Solstice 2012
A couple weeks ago I was invited to a Solstice Celebration Ceremony by a new friend. The celebration was out … Read More
Eros and Psyche – A story of a girl named Psyche and her adventures with the god Eros.
One day on Mount Olympus, Aphrodite decided she had become fed up with the beauty of Psyche, the maiden. Psyche … Read More
Sacred Sexuality…Above and Beyond Intention…Surrender
The act of the sexual comes from the sacredness of what two people bring together. The sacredness lies in their … Read More
Death is Eros – A Hospice Love Affair
The dying process was, and continues to be a curious fascination and something always drew me in closer to try … Read More