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Hi there! I’m glad you’re here.
Consider this post an orientation of sorts. I’d like to help you make sense of my intentions in stringing sentences together and offering them publicly.
My hope is to make teachers, leaders, and humans at large a little more skillful and aware as they engage with the world. I offer this space to imagine possibilities, tease out ideas, and more generally encourage wise teaching and living. Here are some forms you’ll encounter on the blog:
Zen teachings. My use of the term Zen is not a casual, hip branding ploy. When I say “exploring Zen,” I mean inviting and unpacking the wisdom of a beautiful, ancient practice that emerged with the Buddha in India, traveled through China (as Chan), spent some time in Japan (as Zen), and has emerged in new forms over the last hundred years or so. I am an authorized lay Dharma teacher practicing in the Soto lineage, and everything offered here is done with the hope of nudging educators into wakeful presence in the world. To that end, I’ll share writings and talks that explore three broad topics: Zen, teaching, and leading. Some entries will lean heavily into Zen insights, some into education, and others will veer in different directions entirely.
Thought pieces. Good ideas are delicious and useful. Toward that end, I’ll offer original essays, dharma talks and teachings, and (eventually, podcast) episodes on ideas and efforts that might make teaching, leading, and living a little more conscious and nourishing. I’ll also explore the good thinking of others. Human beings have considered the nature of teaching, leading, and thriving for a good long while. I’ll distill insights from historical and contemporary thinkers—philosophical, psychological, and pedagogical bigwigs, as well as lesser-known folks with something to say.
Critiques. Harmful practices grow thick and dense in the world, particularly in education spaces. While I’m not a fan of either/or thinking (dualism is a fundamental trap in Buddhist practice) or of criticism in general, sometimes bullshit needs to be called. Bad practices warrant calling out. When it seems required, I’ll do so.
Literary experiments. Sometimes reality requires fiction to keep things real. When inspired, I’ll fire off original works of fiction or bits of verse that strive to illuminate the possibilities and problems of teaching, leading, and living in the real world.
In everything I write or say, I’ll strive to be open, curious, and intellectually honest. And I’ll write with as much warmth and wit as I can muster.
Thanks for coming. Enjoy your stay.
Bows,
Nate
