David Jones is a retiree after an enjoyable 35-year career with the American government. Diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, he works through things by sitting with the breath and other meditation techniques. David writes about mental health and enjoys exploring the intersection of Abrahamic religion and Buddhist teachings. Scary movies, reading, writing and helping folks as they walk along their paths are among his most favorite things. He dearly loves his wife, their five children, and all their grandchildren. And yes, he’s aware that he’s weird.
Why Meditate?
By David Jones Have you ever wondered what meditation is for? If you ask three people you'll probably end up with eight answers, because like any tool it can be used in many different ways (some more skillful than others). Meditation is used for centering your...
Responding Instead of Reacting: Parenting Mindfully
By David Jones A lot of attention has been paid lately to something called Emotional Intelligence. It has to do with learning about one's emotions and how to handle them. It's like a lot of things in life today: parents weren't taught about it, so they're not equipped...
Mindful Diversity and Constructive Discomfort
By David Jones I used to think diversity had to do with things like skin color, nationality, gender, sexual particulars, or categorized disability. I work for the government, so my view was shaped by their view. Now I wonder. A friend of mine once offered that...
Mindless Eating and Loneliness: Ways to Eat Mindfully
By David Jones I was sitting at my desk working along. The mind gently wanders when your work is repetitive. I had already eaten and my hunger was satisfied. I'll say again: I was absolutely not still hungry. Before I realized it, I had a small container of...
Mindful Parenting, No Matter How Old We (and they) Are
By David Jones One night long ago, one of my sons was sick, and at bedtime he needed a dose of medicine. He hated taking medicine. As I poured the thick purple liquid into a dosage spoon he started edging away. I told him to stop because he needed to...
Artificial Intelligence Just Got Real
By David Jones AI is a main character in some tense and scary films. It led to the rise of the machines in The Terminator. It was the creation which created the Matrix. When two computers weren't allowed to communicate with each other in the film Colossus: The...
Dusk Falls on the Wilderness: A Place for Awakening
By David Jones It's a chilly, early October evening, watching the horizon trade its blues for reds, oranges, and purples. My wife and I sit next to the rolling waters of the Missouri River, taking turns yawning, frogs and owls harmonizing badly all along the...
The Tibetan Yogas of Dream & Sleep {Review}
By David Jones I wrote a piece a while back about the benefits of dreams, especially the lessons and teachings they hold. I dream most every night as far as I know, and I'd hate to lose that. Of course in the modern West, talking about dream meanings...
The Natural Marriage of Alan Watts and Zen: Talking Zen Book Review
By David Jones Is ancient Zen still relevant in the modern West? How can teachers adapt their style to Western ears and minds, and how can these teachings help today's seekers of Wisdom? Answers to questions like these are beautifully on display in this...
God is Emptiness, Emptiness is God: Thoughts on God Attachment
By David Jones It's no secret I believe in God. Brad Warner wrote that he and Zen masters he's talked to believe in God. Thich Nhat Hanh did too. I think many Buddhists do, but they'd never use the loaded word "God." It's not that Buddhists say The Ultimate or...