Spring Comes, the Grass Grows by Itself: Remembering Zen Master Seung Sahn (1927-2004)

Stanley Lombardo remembers Zen Master Seung Sahn, founder of the Kwan Um School of Zen, who died in November.

The Light Enters You — An interview with video artist Bill Viola

Bill Viola captures not just image but experience and shows us what video art can be.

Elaine Pagels’ Search for Christ the Mystic

Who was Christ, really? Barry Boyce profiles Elaine Pagels, the leading authority on Christianity's suppressed gospels.

A Pillar of Zen: Roshi Philip Kapleau 1912 – 2004

Roshi Philip Kapleau's longtime student Rafe Martin remembers a pioneer of American Zen.

What’s Right With Islam

In a discussion with Melvin McLeod, Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf says the true spirit of Islam is one of tolerance, pluralism, and democracy.

50 Stitches

After a serious head injury, artist Caroline Douglas rebuilds her life in clay.

Wabi-Sabi For Artists, Designers, Poets & Philosophers

An excerpt from Leonard Koren's gem, Wabi-Sabi for Artists, Designers, Poets and Philosophers, considered a class statement on this Japanese aesthetic.

Poems & Zen talks of Philip Whalen

Philip Whalen died in San Francisco on June 26, 2002. Here are a selection of his poems and zen talks.

My Year of Meats Ruth Ozeki Shambhala Sun Buddhism

My Year of Meats

Mirroring the journey of her novel’s heroine, Ruth Ozeki explored meat and media and discovered that writing is always political and denial always a choice. What’s in a Name? Last year my first novel was published. It’s called My Year of Meats. It’s a good title, I think. A funny title. A little proud, a…

Zen Sells: How Advertising has Co-opted Spirituality

From computers to beauty products, Madison Avenue has discovered that spirituality sells. Todd Stein on the irony of spiritual themes in materialism.