by Katharine Kaufman | May 14, 2017 | today
In April of 1944 between excursions for the Merchant Marines, Woody Guthrie found himself in a recording studio.* He was tired of hearing God Bless America all the time on the radio (imagine!). When he sang the words, this land is your land, he didn’t mean that we can...
by Katharine Kaufman | Apr 9, 2017 | today
I sit in the family section, off to the side, in a folding chair, front row. When the officiant mentions the wife and grown children he turns left, where we sit. Those in pews also turn and look at us, the bereaved. I didn’t earn my seat. I married into this row. A...
by Katharine Kaufman | Mar 24, 2017 | today
Of all ridiculous things the most ridiculous seems to me, to be busy—to be a man who is brisk about his food and his work. ~ Kierkegaard Snow falls in the early morning at Hokoji. First bells ring at 5:25. Warm inside. Quiet is palpable. Dim light in Zendo, and snow...
by Katharine Kaufman | Mar 7, 2017 | today
Be soft in your practice. Think of the method as a fine silvery stream, not a raging waterfall. Follow the stream, have faith in its course. It will go it’s own way, meandering here, trickling there. It will find the grooves, the cracks, the crevices. Just...
by Katharine Kaufman | Feb 21, 2017 | today
During my first summer at Naropa I signed up for Contemplative Dance Practice with Barbara Dilley. In the mornings the entire community sits together. Then we break off into workshops, poetry, painting, calligraphy, dance. On the phone someone told me to bring a...
by Katharine Kaufman | Feb 7, 2017 | today
It was Kobun Chino’s birthday a few days ago. If he was still alive Fran would give him some birthday money and he’d spend it all at the Pacific Mercantile. Lesley would make him sushi. I would be his assistant, along with others. He’d show up late and drive the...
