There Is No Victory In War

The 31st verse of The Tao Te Ching by the Chinese sage, Lao Tzu, says in part: "... This is why the wise person does not use weapons unless there is no choice. He prefers peace and quiet, and he does not celebrate victory in war. If we celebrate victory, we find happiness in killing, and when killing makes us happy, we can't grow spiritually. War should be treated like a funeral, because many... Read more

The Lotus Blossoms in Germany, Also

LOTUS BLOSSOMS IN GERMANY (The Arboretume ) ENLIGHTENMENT IS UNIVERSAL  For years now, I have been traveling through Europe and parts of Asia sharing what has been given to me. My Spiritual teacher, Sadguru Sant Keshavadas set the example for me many years ago. Even so, there was no reason for me to believe that I would follow his footsteps beyond the borders of America. When we met in 1976,... Read more

Enter The Dragon:On a dark Norfolk Street Kitabu Roshi is attacked by a “cold-blooded killer” and his men. Now that was a Zen moment.

There is an old saying, "No good deed goes unpunished." In the month of May, I overheard two men threatening the well-being of a Christian missionary. Having heard the men cussing loudly in a Virginia Beach McDonald's, the man, who was a senior citizen approached them and began talking to them about Jesus Christ. One of the men responded, "I don't know about Jesus Christ but I do know that you... Read more

Spiritual Flight: Airborne on 9-11

9-10: The Day Before The Memorial ...hope. On the day before the tenth anniversary of 9-11 I found myself surrounded by objects of beauty created by Arab craftsmen and artisans. The establishment was hidden away on a backstreet of Hamburg, Germany, behind warehouses and building supplies. One would not expect anything of interest to be found amid such drab buildings, improved only by coloful... Read more

Earthquake! Reflection On Disasters Abroad Interrupted By Tremors

I was in Indonesia but I escaped the tsunami by months. I have always had a spiritual affinity for Japan forged by my study of Martial arts and Zen so when the nation was struck with a double blow, a tsunami and an earthquake, I grieved with them. In a similar way, I related to the suffering in Haiti. I once belonged to a Haitian organization called Le San Souci. My interest in French when I was... Read more

SOLID! Nick Ashford and Valerie Simpson Celebrated Love. In “Death” He Still Lives.

August 22, I heard that Nick Ashford of  Ashford and Simpson had died. Why technically true, I know that the obvious is     not necessarily The Truth. I reflect on Nick Ashford.   The first time I heard Ashford and Simpson sing they performed the song, "SOLID." I loved it immediately, the song and them. The lyrics were positive, a celebration of love that would not be washed away... Read more

Historic broadcast features Andrew Cohen, Kitabu Roshi, Deepak Chopra and over 20 other global Spiritual teachers discussing their own teachers.

Kitabu Roshi (Vernon Kitabu Turner) was one of 25 Spiritual teachers around the globe who participated in Andrew Cohen's celebration of the master/student relatiosnship. In a day-long global broadcast, each of the Spiritual luminairies shared their own experiences with their teacher or teachers. Andrew Cohen, founder of EnlightenNext magazine orchestrated the event to honor the memory of meeting... Read more

Pray for Japan

When I think of Japan I reflect upon Mount Fuji's majesty and the serene gracefulness of Zen Temples. I can see clearly the quiet repose and arresting posture of monks and their ease of movement as they work in the gardens and offer prayers and chants in the temples. I reflect on my own Zen master, Nomura Roshi who by initiating me, forever connected my spirit to Asia. When I think of Japan I... Read more

Watkins Publishing/London to Release an Expanded edition of Soul Sword

There is a story about the new edition of Soul Sword and why I am now with a London publisher but all in due time. If you have been coming to this site and wondered where the name Soul Sword came from you can learn about the inspiration and more from the book. More important you will experience the evolution of my understanding and the impact of my satori. Sometimes, what reads like fiction is the... Read more

The Way of The Spirit/Beyond Ego

Sadguru Sant Keshavadas photo from his book, "Garland of prayer." Many years ago I complimented my Spiritual teacher, Sadguru Sant Keshavadas Sadguru on his many talents. His response was"neti neti, I am nothing but the dust of the earth. The Lord is the doer." It reminded me of my mother, Kate E. Turner who would never take credit for her musical ability. If I said something good she said, "To... Read more

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