Preface: A Lotus… in a Bouquet?

 Preface: A Lotus… in a Bouquet?


Howdy! Thanks for dropping by!


As part of my spiritual journey, I'm creating this blog to be an exploration of Buddhist and Christian texts.


A bit about me: 


  • I started writing personal commentary on Bible verses back in the late '70s. It was a way of charting my quest for understanding, and it still is.

  • As one of Jehovah's Witnesses I lived for expanding the understanding of texts and meanings, both as a student as well as a teacher. I'm not a Witness now, so you don't can stop pretending you're not home.

  • In my quest to learn the varieties of traditions and understanding, I want to range as deep and wide as I can. 

  • Nowadays I teach in a monthly column called A Mindful Berean for the online community The Tattooed Buddha (which is also the name of my blog running parallel with this one). Please drop by sometime!



My plans for this blog: 


  1. We'll wade through The Lotus Sutra, then select another text.

  2. I will strive to be respectful yet fun. I'm not interested in making an orthodox or solemn commentary. We have lots of those.

  3. I love talking about religion, so I encourage dialogue and reader thoughts - yes, even from folks who are non-believers of any stripe. Just try to be dignified and courteous.

  4. I  also encourage folks to study these writings for themselves. I don't want anyone to blindly accept my words, or anyone else's actually. 

  5. I'll try to post once per month, and more often if possible. Writing commentary isn't really a rapid process.


I know sacred texts can be zealously - and jealously - guarded from outsiders. I've spent time as a gate-keeper myself. But even though I've journeyed outside any orthodox or organized religious territory, I'm still a Child of the Book as it were. I respect texts and traditions even if I don't agree with them. That's how I honor their writers.


Finally, I'm not a famous scholar or billionaire. This is a labor of love. It won't be perfect, gorgeous, slick, or all the things the gurus tell you your site should be if you want sales. It will, however, be authentically me doing my best.


Welcome, and be well.

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