Blog Grid – Three Column

In a divided world, true repair begins with how we attend to one another. Exploring distrust, the generosity of attention and affection, the humility of receiving, and the moral evolution of compassion. Showing that to listen deeply is to begin to heal what is broken.… Read More

In Asia, I sought shared meals and spice-blending wisdom. Transactional intimacy revealed love’s truth: not a purchase, but a reciprocal act of presence, defying patriarchy’s contracts for authentic connection.… Read More

The concept of power is misunderstood. We see it all over the media, politics & government, academics, leadership, and relationships. … Read More

The Laugh That Also Stings I have been told I have this sarcastic wit about me … sometimes humorous and … Read More

Preface This is not just an essay about Madonna. It’s about all of us — about how the ego shows … Read More

How silence shapes families, workplaces, and cultures — and those who dare to break it. Every human group — families, … Read More

At first, I thought “vocation” meant chasing a dream. Cooking was the vocation I had a fire for—I had the … Read More

When I first decided to bring my writing out of my personal journaling and into the public blog back in … Read More

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

I have immersed myself in David Brooks books. I’d recommend his books. Both “The Second Mountain: The Quest for a … Read More

The Unresolved Witness I’ve wandered through markets all over the world and I still don’t know how to talk about … Read More

The Year That Was… (Context & Milestones) It’s been a year… and what a year it was. I left behind … Read More

When we speak, we are not asking to be advised, fixed, or given solutions. We are asking to be seen. … Read More

This morning I sit in a small Istanbul coffee shop along the Bosphorus. The city hums and pulses around me … Read More

I travel down dark streets through Thailand at night. There are no police patrols, no one to call if something … Read More

A Natural Part of Change I’m sitting in the middle of monsoon season, again. It’s raining every day, carving rivers … Read More

For most of my life, I believed love, closeness and affection had to be earned. That I needed to be … Read More

  Can you believe it’s been a full year since I moved to Thailand? In that time, I’ve been navigating … Read More

Verb save face  – third-person singular simple present – saves face  – present participle – saving face  – simple past … Read More

It’s been anything but quiet, and not by accident. A lot has changed. Some of it was planned—some of it … Read More

I approach the one-year mark of retiring from a 25-year academic career and moving to Thailand. Life has brought me … Read More

I sit here and write this at “The Much Room Cafe” in Chiang Mai, Thailand. I like to come here … Read More

I have written a couple of pieces about how I was living a split and divided life. This division within … Read More

I have been on a search for universal truths that all humans experience and can relate to. I have also … Read More

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

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

Alexis Wright, an aboriginal writer from Australia, writes about the end of the world being a reoccurring event that has … Read More

I wish you could have met my Grandpa Jack. He was one of the most loving and kind men I … Read More

Today is a day I am reminded of a mantra I have in my life… “Don’t get too comfortable in … Read More

I keep learning every day. Thailand history, culture, ways of life, Thai relationship styles, Buddhism, family values, economics, traffic laws, … Read More

Why did you move to Thailand? That is the $1,000,000 question. I get asked more times than I can remember. … Read More

I have experienced 25 years immersed in bureaucratic, union based, government funded, non- profit, community college, workplace institution. Bringing out … Read More

PWM – BOS – DOH – BKK – CNX I popped for the exit aisle seats for the 19 hours … Read More

It’s been about 6 weeks since I arrived in Thailand. Landing in Chiang Mai continues to feel like home. Close … Read More

Historic 5-years It’s been 5 years since I returned back to the USA from my sabbatical in Asia. That was … Read More

This is one of the big questions occupying much mind space and time in my contemplations. With my father’s passing, … Read More

Life’s Transition Point I sit here at one of the many transitions my life has offered to me. A time … Read More

  America – Land of the Not So Free, Home of the Not So Brave Today is the day I … Read More

Life continues to be a learning experience throughout my journey through Thailand. Staying in Northern Thailand for months has taught … Read More

I have gotten used to traveling by the seat of my pants. With little itinerary and only a couple weeks … Read More

There has been something I have been noticing in my journey through Thailand once again. I am being reminded of … Read More

”Trep – Definition: An abbreviation for “entrepreneur” that, for reasons obvious, has mainly been embraced by slang-obsessed teenagers and Netspeak … Read More

In September of this year, I will experience my 55th trip around the sun. It’s hard to believe how fast … Read More

The Different Facets of Happiness The tour of Thailand I am on now is different than the last times I … Read More

The Starting Point… Patriarchal Conflict & It’s Reconstruction… Making my way to Asia once again I have chosen to look … Read More

I have been curiously fascinated by the intricate dances we do as humans in the many relationships we maintain with … Read More

I have spent the good part of my adult life discovering empowering ways to take off the masks and armor … Read More

Passive Aggression = Avoidance of Conflict Why can’t we just say what we mean, ask for what we want and … Read More

The “Do Me” Culture America is the leader of materialism and consumerism in the world. This materialism has brought forth … Read More

  I remember the day I signed up for Facebook (Fakebook/FB). My wife had just walked out on me, abandoning … Read More

What life is… fear, rage, desire, and love … to stop feeling these emotions and to stop wanting to feel … Read More

The topic of “What the universe put in front of us/you/me” has been occupying some space in my head recently. … Read More

When I was first introduced to traveling, I was about 11 years old. My aunt and uncle in New York … Read More

When I’ve opened up and reveal my deepest insecurities and speak the truth I feel extremely vulnerable And to protect … Read More

If you are looking for some happy go lucky piece of writing from me here about my travels, then I … Read More

As much as I have studied the great traditions and their mystical components, being in Peru, the Incas and shamans … Read More

It was unfortunate that I felt I had to leave Ecuador last minute. I believe it was a good decision … Read More

This is a tough one for me to write. I’ve been in a bit of a tough spot inside myself … Read More

Since I was going to be in Colombia, Ecuador and Peru I wanted to make sure I made it to … Read More

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 Traveling reveals many of the similarities and differences in the planets humanity and the way humans choose to … Read More

Something happens to me when I travel great distances. Something in me shifts. It’s easier for me to get into … Read More

The foundation of America was built upon capitalism, consumerism and competition. It’s as if the use of the word “capitalism” … Read More

Breathing Life Over the course of my family’s life they have created and collected art. When you live in a … Read More

A question that was posed to me recently and has kept spinning around in my head was “What does it … Read More

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? It’s quite the question, I know.  And I have not written on this blog in … Read More

  Well, well, well… it’s been a long while since I’ve written anything… not sure how to use this blog/website … Read More

My trip to India and S.E. Asia opened my eyes to a lot of things around food that we are … Read More

This ceremony is a part of monastic discipline, and a custom, established by the Buddha which supports skilful parting of … Read More

There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.

I’m not really sure about this piece of writing and putting it on my blog. There are people in my … Read More

This is going to be a long one… just so you are aware up front. ???? It’s been about two … Read More

I applied for a year-long sabbatical in November 2017 and couldn’t do any real planning until I received signed paperwork … Read More

Back in November, I straightened out all of the flights (5) that I booked before leaving the USA, knowing full … Read More

After 7 months of traveling and doing research for my sabbatical… “How Culture’s View of Communal Cooking Fosters Rich Human … Read More

I arrived here in Hanoi, Vietnam after 9 days in Cambodia tropical paradise. I managed to allow myself to come … Read More

It was REALLY hard to leave the white sand beaches and sleeping in a hut on top of the ocean … Read More

Today is my last day in Koh Rong Sanloem before I make my way to Hanoi, Vietnam. This is one … Read More

I wrote a blog about being stripped of identity and it’s been occupying time and space inside of me these … Read More

It’s a new moon… night of darkness. A reminder of what might be working astrologically speaking… The Aquarius New Moon … Read More

                    On my last couple days in Siem Reap I wanted … Read More

Is it a coincidence that I’ve been pondering the concept of “who am I?” while I’m in a place like … Read More

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

I’ve been here in Cambodia going on 6 days and I have not been moved to write. I wrote about … Read More

It’s hard to believe that my 60-day Thailand visa expires Saturday and I will be on the next leg of … Read More

It’s pretty obvious to say… the flow of love feels great and facing into fears do not. Is fear holding … Read More

The union of the soul’s longing is found in love Where doubts and fear are obstacles to hopes of being … Read More

We live in a time with Tindering hookups, immediate gratifications through the internet and easy access to pornography and sex … Read More

I got word that my father was admitted to the hospital and released back home, yet again. He’s been in … Read More

My sharp edges are being rounded off, like a carpenter’s chamfer Softening, weathered by wisdom of the ages, being still, … Read More

In my search of the internet to see if there was anyone else that had done some degree of food … Read More

Just below our rational façade of humanity lies a turbulent darkness that is kept in check by the good that … Read More

I know some of you are probably tired of listening to my rants of spirituality and love and Buddhist dharma. … Read More

I sit here on Kay and Jilly’s farm in Yasothon, Thailand after a week on the farm. A week of … Read More

Did that get your attention?   – – – – – – – – – – – – – – … Read More

This post might be a little long. I’ve been away from my computer for a week and have made some … Read More

There is so much to this topic. After I wrote part 1, I realized there was a part 2 to … Read More

This topic has been the focus and intention for my sabbatical and travels here in South and Southeast Asia. The … Read More

When I decided I was coming to Thailand I wanted to investigate the possibility of getting a Sak Yant tattoo. … Read More

One of the big lessons Thailand is teaching me is how I cannot take things personally or get defensive when … Read More

Didn’t your mother always tell you that life isn’t fair? After a week of eating good food and exercising I … Read More

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 free? To experience the joys of the freedom of expression? To be free from … Read More

I have arrived at Chiang Mai and I feel like I’m forcing this particular writing because it’s been a while … Read More

I have had the beginnings of this writing in my draft folder for a long time and it’s about time … Read More

It’s a glorious day here on Pattaya Beach. Spending New Year’s Eve morning at Laguna Beach resort at the pool … Read More

I found that it typically takes me 3-5 days to really settle into a new place after I move from … Read More

During the last 3+ months of my travel through India and Nepal I was staying at Airbnb’s of families who … Read More

There’s no doubt… when I was first planning this adventure I had fear in me… and other people were scared … Read More

It’s been so nice staying here in Pokhara, Nepal waking up every day to the Annapurna Mountains waving their majesty … Read More

After only five days in the Annapurna Mountains… or is it… after five long days in the Annapurna Mountains… I … Read More

It’s just amazing to me what unfolds when I can let go of making things in my life happen. My … Read More

I thought about traveling to the Mt. Everest region while I was here. Go big or go home has been … Read More

I have had four full days here in Kathmandu, Nepal and it feels like it’s time to write. Even after … Read More

There’s been a conversation going on around me and also on the internet about how living in India can be … Read More

I had no idea that when I planned to come to Kerala instead of Goa or Sri Lanka what I … Read More

One of the main intentions I had in coming to India on sabbatical was to see, feel and experience how … Read More

After staying with Reeta Gupta’s family and her home in Varanasi I’ve learned to appreciate what it means to stay … Read More

I realized that I forgot to write about my time in-between the sadhana mandir ashram and my trip down south … Read More

10/29/2018 – I write this on the airplane traveling from Delhi to Kochi, India while 2/3 of the people on … Read More

Having been in India for over a month now I have learned so much about this country, the culture and … Read More

There’s been a conversation going on in my life for a while that discusses what it means to be at … Read More

I arrived here in Rishikesh on October 17, 2018 and made my way to Swami Rama’s Sadhana Mandir Ashram. Why … Read More

After 24 days in Varanasi it was time for me to make my way to Rishikesh for meditation and yoga. … Read More

I have wanted to take a 10-day vipassana course since a few friends told me about it a few years … Read More

I couldn’t get to this piece of writing before I left due to time constraints and wanted to write about … Read More

Rohit (the dairy farmer) was talking to me about the cows he raises and the cows that are in the … Read More

Last night was a special night. I was invited to Reeta’s sons (Rohit) home for dinner last night. Rohit runs … Read More

I’ve been wanting to write about my experience with the food since I have gotten here and there’s been so … Read More

Varanasi is a town where it’s Hindi people display a level of devotion like I have never experienced. It doesn’t … Read More

Last night we had a beautiful conversation over cocktails and dinner with yet more new friends I was being introduced … Read More

There is just so much to take in as I’m bombarded with data in a new way of being here … Read More

After about 10,000 kilometers, 42 hours of travel and many security check points with men with automatic weapons and my … Read More

As I sit here in the home I’ve been living for the last 10+ years with all of my personal … Read More

Inspired by my many teachers… I came back to Thich Nhat Hanh’s teaching about the five mindfulness training’s this week … Read More

After almost two decades of teaching at Southern Maine Community College I finally decide to take advantage of their sabbatical … Read More

In attempt to journal and document the next year in my life I need to do some back story to … Read More

After we have an experience to an opening through God’s love in our human experience it is natural to contract … Read More

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 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 one of life’s greatest mysteries and to try to define love’s meaning is said to be far beyond … Read More

We are the universe’s creations and so is every person that we look upon regardless of the past history or … Read More

What is it like to be a human being? To experience this life as it is in all it’s “beingness”? … Read More

One of the first things we need to understand about form and content is that they are both part of … Read More

We have a tendency to think that our suffering comes from the situations in the outside world and from others, … Read More

We are the universe’s creations and so is every person that we look upon regardless of the past history or … Read More

A powerhouse in a way of being in relationship with self, other and the universe is in the constant mirrored … Read More

After reading Stanley Siegal’s Book, Your Brain On Sex. I wanted to write about his “restorative relationship” experience and how … Read More

We are living at a time where warrior energy is being highly scrutinized for its shadow qualities found in warfare, … Read More

Everybody’s got a place in the circle. Inside the circle, as opposed to a line quality which is about competition, … Read More

One of the tantric living principles is the “Intermarriage”. The intermarriage of the opposites that bring possibility for unity and … Read More

A girl narrates a letter to her dad as she grows up, and it makes rape culture obvious. By Angie Aker … Read More

Why it’s so hard to enter into the territory of “Sex IS Ethics”? Why is it so taboo? Sex is … Read More

The phallus, penis, cock, dick, member, pecker, prick, putz, tool, shaft, johnson, schlong, woody, manhood has always stood as a … Read More

Recently, I have experienced friendly and intense discussions with clients and close friends about “divining the masculine” and what that … Read More

Glorious days in Maine when the summer sunlight dims earlier in the day and makes the radiance of openness even … Read More

What relationship type do you adhere to? Conventional monogamy…open relationship… polyamory… relationship anarchy… non-monogamy… and what I am going to … Read More

We live in a culture of sexuality where people can be confused around their desire to engage in the acts … Read More

Modern-day relationships are challenging and full of opportunities for increased personal awareness and growth. As our society enters a time … Read More

As I was growing up in the urban area of Chicago and coming into myself as a sexual being there … Read More

Connecting lineages which I have become a part of has become such an important part of my evolution. When I … Read More

The long arduous hours of web programming with the intention of hitting a larger audience to ultimately bring people together … Read More

It’s been too long since I created the time to sit and write my thoughts out. The last half a … Read More

There is no end to our beginning, the pouring sweat and tears is ours, the pleasure is ours. Not for … Read More

How many times have you sat with your thoughts about loving someone, or some negative event regarding someone and were … Read More

Vulnerability…what does it mean? It means getting outside the protective ego and exposing your weaknesses and your desires in the … Read More

Dear Lover… Meet me in the wildest place of your dreams…where our dreams meet together to find us in places … Read More

Entering into intimate/sexual space with others requires an awareness in communicating our thoughts to others without shaming or blaming the … Read More

After a conversation with a beautiful new friend last night I became aware of how important it is for me … Read More

There is a conversation in my men’s circles around speaking your truth without shame or blame and asking for what … Read More

I want to start this off by dividing change into two categories. First is the change that we put forth … Read More

A couple weeks ago I was invited to a Solstice Celebration Ceremony by a new friend.  The celebration was out … Read More

One day on Mount Olympus, Aphrodite decided she had become fed up with the beauty of Psyche, the maiden. Psyche … Read More

The act of the sexual comes from the sacredness of what two people bring together.  The sacredness lies in their … Read More

The dying process was, and continues to be a curious fascination and something always drew me in closer to try … Read More