On the Black Rock Desert, Nevada
Obviously, I like stones and I like Zen. Thus, the zenstone.
You might say it has to do with stillness. After all, what is more silent, more still, more solid than a rock? I’ve always found something zen-like about rocks and about rock people when you get right down to it. They are diligent and patient, endlessly digging in the earth, able to be startled by that bit of beauty. There is a kind of elegance in pondering a rock.
As well, this site is a way to combine two seemingly disparate parts of who I am–the rock person and the Buddhist. And to keep the focus on rocks and Buddhism in America.
I’ve spent a lot of time in other parts of the world, particularly Asia. I love traveling and I love to immerse myself in new cultures. I have another blog that chronicles some of my travels to India and elsewhere: Cloud and Mountain. One of the things I’ve learned from travel is to look at my own home with new eyes.
When I was younger I put a lot of energy into trying to escape. It didn’t matter where I was, I wanted to be somewhere else. I’m older now and don’t feel quite the need to run as I used to. My Buddhist practice has helped me to stay in the moment, like the rocks. Like the earth. Everything I need is right here under my feet.
So American Zenstone is about staying in the moment. Appreciating rocks and what is in front of us.
A rock holds the soul of the universe.
And so as this blog slowly grows and develops it will include bits of Zen as well as bits of rock lore.
