Numinous Nonsense

Here are some of the more substantial things that happened this year. How all of them came together in the same year, remains beyond me.

Two Months on Retreat – This year I spent well over two months on retreat, with a two-month retreat at the beginning of the year at Spirit Rock Meditation Center, and then another two weeks at the end of the year. Retreat practice has been extremely important for my meditation practice this year, and at this point I’ve spent some 6 and a half months doing intensive practice. Hey, it takes thousands of hours to master something….

Two New Companies – Before the two-month retreat I helped launch Buddhist Geeks, my pet Buddhist podcast project. Afterwards, I again helped launch an online media project with Falling Fruit tv. I am now working full-time on that project, as it started with substantial funding and a phenomenal team. As of this year, we launched three new podcast projects, with several more on the way (including a couple in video).

Two Moves – At the beginning of the year Emily & I had moved from Boulder to North Carolina where we thought we’d be setting up camp. Soon after Falling Fruit launched and we were drawn back to Boulder (hey, I’m not complaining). I miss my family, who are back in NC, but it’s hard to argue with things when they come together in such a dramatic way. Needless to say though it’s been a difficult year, moving across the country twice, and living in a total of four different houses during that time. Ugh!

Three Years of Marriage – Emily and I celebrated three years of marriage this year. Emily has been the most phenomenal partner, supporting me with all my projects, going on retreat with me (yes, she did the two-month course too!), and all the while deepening on her own path. She continues to amaze (and sometimes confound) me. I love you honey.

And just as I finish a period of contemplation, with a blessing, I’d like to do so for this past year: May all the merit accumulated during this past year be giving freely toward the benefit and awakening of all beings everywhere.