Monthly Archives: July 2021

My friend Bombay Kris, who has been reading Bertand Russell’s ‘Marriage and Morals’, recently sent me this: ‘Fact is, when love and sex collide – it can’t be planned nor should it be. As Russell says. So to look for this is a fool’s errand. It happens when it happens and it would be greedyContinue reading “Bombay and Bertrand”

Watashi-wa is no angel, that is for sure. Last week I watched the England-Ukraine football match with friends outside a bar in Exarcheia. I really didn’t care who won, but the game made me feel very nostalgic – nostalgic for a time when I really did care who won, and nostalgic, more generally, for anContinue reading “no angel”

On a few occasions, someone has said something to me that has really stuck in my throat. My immediate reaction was one of profound irritation. But looking back on those comments now, I see that they were spot on. Many years ago, during a rather sad exchange, a soon-to-be ex-girlfriend told me that I neededContinue reading “the things that stick in our throats”

One phrase that keeps cropping up in my reading of the gospel of St. John is ‘αιώνια ζωή’ – eternal life. Christ repeatedly promises eternal life to his followers. Initially, Watashi-wa found this problematic. For a start, ‘eternal life’ sounds very boring. To tell the truth, I am rather looking forward to a nice longContinue reading “eternal life”

When Watashi-wa was living in America, I was often blown away by the vast range of products in supermarkets. Entire aisles of washing up liquid! So many brands, so many colours, scents, sizes. So much choice! But also, so stressful! This one is a bit cheaper, that one is smaller but claims to do moreContinue reading “real freedom”

Watashi-wa has a confession to make.In the post on ‘fundamental sincerity’, I wrote:’Give what you have to give irrespective of whether it is valued or appreciated. If you give but only in the hope of recognition or reward, then you are like a small child clamouring for its mother’s attention. There is no dignity inContinue reading “confession”

The second of the great Buddhist vows states: ‘Although our evil desires are limitless, we vow to be rid of them.’ From a rational, logical perspective, this is clearly impossible. Suzuki Roshi, the founder of the Zen Centre in San Francisco, recognizes this. He says: ‘Even though it is impossible, we have to do itContinue reading “doing the impossible”