As Jackson Browne sings in his somber memorial written for a late friend, For a Dancer:

“I don't know what happens when people die
Can't seem to grasp it as hard as I try
It's like a song I can hear playing right in my ear
But I can't sing, I can't help listening…”

Like Browne, I don’t know what will happen when I die either. Anyone who ever told me they did was either lying or had been co-opted into believing someone else’s version of a story they’d heard from another person who’d also heard it from another person, etc.

That’s Religious Dogma — Spirituality is different

Spirituality is the faint whisper of an angel’s wings for some, the palpable presence of the divine for others, and the absence of sound in deep meditation for people like me. I don’t think it matters a bit which flavor of spirituality resonates with you if it helps you become more authentic and peaceful.

Cultivating Peace is a Practice We Can Share

The best way to do this individually is to make peace with yourself by learning simple meditation. I’m a trained meditation teacher. Shamatha (shá-ma-ta) is a core practice in Tibetan Buddhism that focuses on developing calm, single-pointed attention, and equanimity. My Tibetan Buddhist name is Jigme (jeé-may). My Zen name is Dokuzan (do-kú-zan). You can call me Baz. 🤭

Since Buddhism doesn’t reference a deity or prescribe any beliefs, it’s not considered a religion. Instead, its simple practices promote a peaceful demeanor and kind heart.

On most Monday evenings, at 7:30 PM Pacific, I host a FREE online meditation gathering. Anyone is welcome to join, and you don't need any experience. If you’d like some basic instructions, please log in at 7:15 PM, and I’ll provide some brief guidelines.