Saturday, 14 March 2026

D. T. Suzuki on Looking Within, Spiritual Potential, Freedom and the Sense of Zen

The opening page of an anthology of essays by D. T. Suzuki is quite striking in its simple eloquence and has become one his more frequently quoted texts, but we feel that is worth re-quoting...
 
THE SENSE OF ZEN

Zen in its essence is the art of seeing into the nature of one's own being, and it points the way from bondage to freedom. By making us drink right from the fountain of life, it liberates us from all the yokes under which we finite beings are usually suffering in this world. 
 
We can say that Zen liberates all the energies properly and naturally stored in each of us, which are in ordinary circumstances cramped and distorted so that they find no adequate channel for activity.

This body of ours is something like an electric battery in which a mysterious power latently lies. When this power is not properly brought into operation, it either grows mouldy and withers away or is warped and expresses itself abnormally. It is the object of Zen, therefore, to save us from going crazy or being crippled. 
 
This is what I mean by freedom, giving free play to all the creative and benevolent impulses inherently lying in our hearts. Generally, we are blind to this fact, that we are in possession of all the necessary faculties that will make us happy and loving towards one another. All the struggles that we see around us come from this ignorance. 
 
Zen, therefore, wants us to open a "third eye," as Buddhists call it, to the hitherto undreamed-of region shut away from us through our own ignorance. When the cloud of ignorance disappears, the infinity of the heavens is manifested, where we see for the first time into the nature of our own being. 
 
We now know the signification of life, we know that it is not blind striving, nor is it a mere display of brutal forces, but that while we know not definitely what the ultimate purport of life is, there is something in it that makes us feel infinitely blessed in the living of it and remain quite contented with it in all its evolution, without raising questions or entertaining pessimistic doubts.
 
Zen Buddhism - Selected Writings of D. T. Suzuki, 1956, Anchor Books
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Wednesday, 11 March 2026

Astrology: Spring Equinox, March 20, 2026- Part 1 - Review

For the Winter prognostic, we wrote:

The burgeoning energy of humanitarian, idealistic, innovative, original spiritual and social reform should continue to be felt more and more, but the Winter semester could still be similar to most of 2025, with some turmoil and upheavals due to the major astrological changes. Indeed, there could be added motivation for bold, progressive, concrete reforming and innovating with a broad sense of optimism and openness emerging. At an individual level, we have a dynamic, outgoing, efficient outlook that is valuing friendly social relations and cooperation based on common values and objectives.

However, there could be tensions felt due to an exaggerated optimism and confidence, as well as a general resistance to energies of change. Hence these two conflicting poles (individual social assertiveness and idealistic progress) can cause obstacles, blockages, confusion, and misunderstandings. There can be frustrations, disillusionment and disappointments, which could tend to prompt pause for a reality check, in order to better adjust the enthusiasm more in accord with practical possibilities and long term goals. This situation can result at worst in volatile breakdowns.

With Mars square Neptune (Dec. 14), Sun square Saturn Dec. 16) and Sun square Neptune (Dec. 20) marking the end of the year, the new year began, as
Mercury entered Capricorn (Jan 1) with some dramatic events:
 
Trump and Zelensky appear more upbeat - but show little evidence that peace is near for Ukraine (Dec 29); Swiss Alps ski resort fire 41 people died in the fire, and 116 others were injured  (January 1); Venezuela president NicolasMaduro removed from office by US (January 3); US withdraws from 66 international organizations (January 8); Iran plunged into internet blackout as nationwide anti-government turmoil spreads (Jan 9); US President Donald Trump has said he is seeking to acquire Greenland for national security reasons; Ancient Astronauts writer Erich von Däniken (1935 - January 10, 202); Acoustic jazz guitarist Ralph Towner dies (March 1, 1940 – January 18, 2026)

Jan 20 Saturn sextile Uranus

The ICE Killing of Renée Nicole Good (Jan 21); Trump Launches ‘Board of Peace’ in Davos with nearly 25 countries (Jan 21); Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney makes defiant speech at World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos (Jan 21).

Jan 26 Neptune conjunct Aries

Hundreds of migrants feared dead in Mediterranean shipwrecks since start of 2026  (January 26); Taiwan Tremor and Mt. Merapi Eruption (Jan 27); Thousands demonstrate in Minnesota and across US to protest ICE (January 31); Collision with Greek coastguard boat leaves 15 migrants dead (Feb 4); Gunmen kill nearly 200 in Nigeria’s Kwara and Katsina attacks (Feb. 6); Tumbler Ridge, British Columbia mass shooting: 9 deaths, 25 injured in Canada (Feb. 11); Cyclone Gezani was one of the most intense recorded around Madagascar in the satellite era. 400,000 people overall were left in humanitarian needs (Feb. 8-12, 17)

Feb 13 Saturn conjunct Aries 

Japan's Sanae Takaichi wins snap election in a landslide (Feb. 8). Sailor Moon musical theatre show announced, which features a Queen Valusia, a possible nod to Robert E. Howard's Theosophy-inspired fantasy world (Feb. 8). Japan is eyeing revising the anti-prostitution law to potentially include buyers who solicit sex for money as violators, closing a widely criticized loophole wherein only sellers are deemed to be in violation (Feb. 10). Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara won the gold medal after a stunning free skate, in a dramatic, come-from-behind win. The Japanese figure skating team has been a highlight of the 2026 games, helping Japan set a new record for their highest total number of medals in a single Winter Olympics (Feb. 16).

Feb 17  Solar eclipse near the North Node in Aquarius

Actor Robert Duvall dies (February 15); Social activist Jesse Louis Jackson (1941 – February 17, 2026); Tornadoes hit Indiana, Illinois as destructive storms blast through parts of Midwest (Feb. 19); 

Feb 20 Saturn conjunct Neptune 

Violence erupted following the killing of the powerful cartel leader known as El Mencho, (Feb. 22); Major US East Coast SnowStorm North Carolina to northern Maine. More than 600,000 properties on the US east coast endured power outages (Feb. 23)

Feb 27 Mars square Uranus 


Pakistan declares ‘open war’ against Afghanistan after cross-border attack (Feb 27); US, Israel engage in war on Iran (Feb. 28); Cuba coastguard incident (Feb. 28)

Mar 3  Lunar eclipse

Sudan war escalates with heavy drone strikes (March 11); Former rapper and Gen Z's candidate Balendra Shah wins Nepali election by landslide (March 12). 
 
Will Thomas Pynchon, whose Vineland adaptation has won many awards, enter the cinematic Zeit-Geist at the Oscars? Will KPop Demon Hunters continue to dominate the animation category with an Oscar nod? I have not made charts for these questions...
 


This semester witnessed 2 of the 3 final major planetary shifts, with the 3rd due on April 25.  A general turmoil due to the unstable nature of shifting planets situated on the cusp of two signs could be felt. Note that although the current 'Magic Triangle' has important indicators of peaceful dispositions, it doesn't necessarily mean stable, smooth sailing. The pattern reminds of something similar in 1966, which was a period of militant social protest and strong resistance to it, along with creative artistic experimental innovations with mass media technology. The indicators of volatile eruptions in the Winter chart weren't that strong, but the Mars square Uranus aspect on Feb.27, between two eclipses and an exact Saturn conjunct Neptune (quite difficult), saw some major conflicts emerge. One could see the Jupiter-influenced 'exaggerated optimism and confidence' with several very bold US interventions. (Greenland, ICE, Peace Board, Venezuela, Iran). Indeed, we also saw some conspiracy theorists get even more extravagant than usual.
 
PS. 
For the Winter prognostic, I wrote: 'Should I rectify my previous statement about the Israel-Hamas war and predict an end before April 25? Presumably, it could, but with the difficult end of February period, it's possible that the peace process can get stalled this Winter.' Indeed, the situation has become much more complicated, therefore, I think that it's safe to posit that it is more feasible to look to a period after April 25 to see an eventual peace achievement.
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Wednesday, 4 February 2026

Universal Brother/Sisterhood playlist 3 - Folk/Pop

Theosophy can be considered to have influenced the folk music revival via Ruth Crawford Seeger (1901–1953),
American composer and folk music specialist, who was the step-mother of Pete Seeger. She took piano lessons with Djane Lavoie-Herz, who sparked her  interest in theosophy and Scriabin, and later met Dane Rudhyar and Henry Cowell. For Canadian folk musicians, such as Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Gordon Lightfoot, and Leonard Cohen, there is the influence of the Vancouver Poetry Society. Hence, we have a confluence of Theosophical musical, poetic, and civil rights influences converging in the formation of one of the most important popular music currents of the 20th century. 
  
1-Peter Paul & Mary, Because All Men Are Brothers, (1965, See What Tomorrow Brings)
J.S. Bach, words Tom Glazer & Pete Seeger
My brother's fears are my fears yellow white or brown
My brother's tears are my tears the whole wide world around.
 
2- Trini Lopez, If I Had A Hammer (1963)
I'd hammer about the love between my brothers and my sisters
All, all over this land
 
3-New Seekers, I'd Like To Teach The World To Sing (1971)
I'd like to teach the world to sing
In perfect harmony
I'd like to see the world for once
All standing hand in hand
And hear them echo through the hills
For peace throughout the land
 
4- Carole King, You've got a friend (1971)
You just call out my name
And you know wherever I am
I'll come running, to see you again
Winter, spring, summer or fall
All you have to do is call
And I'll be there
 
5- Cat Stevens, Peace Train (1971)
Oh, I've been smiling lately
Dreaming about the world as one
And I believe it could be
Someday it's going to come
'Cause out on the edge of darkness
There rides the peace train
 
6- John Lennon, Imagine (1971)
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world
 
7- Elvis Costello, What's so funny 'bout peace, love and understanding? (1974)
And who are the trusted?
And where is the harmony?
'Cause each time I feel it slippin' away, just makes me wanna cry
What's so funny 'bout peace, love and understanding?
 
8- Three Dog Night, The Road to Shamballa (1975)
I can tell my sister by the flowers in her eyes
On the road to Shambala
I can tell my brother by the flowers in his eyes
On the road to Shambala
 
9- ELO, All over the world (Xanadu, 1980)
All over the world
Everybody got the word
Everybody everywhere is gonna feel tonight
Everybody gonna have a good time
Everybody will shine 'til the daylight
 
10- Pat Benatar, We belong (1984)
We belong to the light,we belong to the thunder
Whatever we deny or embrace for worse or for better
we belong together
 
11- Billy Bragg, The Internationale (1990)
So come brothers and sisters
For the struggle carries on
The Internationale
Unites the world in song
For this is the time and place!
The international ideal
Unites the human race
 
12-Joni Mitchell, Woodstock, Travelogue (2002)
We are stardust, we are golden
We are billion-year-old carbon
And we've got to get ourselves
Back to the garden
 
13- A Fine Frenzy, The Minnow & the Trout (2008)
And I said, Please, I know that we're different
We were one cell in the sea in the beginning
And what we're made of was all the same once
We're not that different after all?
 
14- Regina Spektor, Human of the Year(Far, 2009)
And though they do not know it
All mankind are now your brothers
 
15- Brenda Montana, Together as One (2022)
Ungasiktumut tikiutisimagannuk
Puigurtailigit ulluriat maliglugit
Qaujimavunga katilaarmigannuk
Atausinngurlunuk

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Universal Brother/Sisterhood playlist 2 - R & B/Soul

The notion of Universal Brotherhood took root in black culture via Freemasonry: ''By 1900, Prince Hall masonry had become a forum for politicised African-Americans, with Booker T Washington (1856-1915) and W.E.B. Du Bois (1868-1963) serving as active members. Throughout the 20th century, many key figures in the civil rights movement were attracted to freemasonry. The father of Martin Luther King Jr – Martin Luther King Sr (1900-84) – was a member of the 23rd lodge in Atlanta, Georgia.'' ( https://www.theguardian.com/music/2014/jul/02/secret-jazz-freemason-history-duke-ellington-sun-ra ). With the civil rights movement in the 1960s, black culture became a nexus for strong social justice discourse, with several prominent r&b and soul artists becoming eloquent voices for social commentary.
 
1) Myra - Dancing In The Street (1964)
It's just an invitation across the nation A chance for folks to meet There'll be laughing, singing and music swinging  
 
2) Sly & The Family Stone - Everyday People (Stand! 1969)
I am no better and neither are you We're all the same, whatever we do You love me, you hate me You know me and then You can't figure out the bag I'm in I am everyday people 
 
3) The 5th Dimension - Aquarius - Let The Sunshine In (1969)
Harmony and understanding Sympathy and trust abounding No more falsehoods or derisions Golden living dreams of visions Mystic crystal revelation 
 
4) Curtis Mayfield, Keep On Keeping On (Roots, 1971)
Teach them to be strong, & when they are grown They can proudly imply that we were an alright guy For all the wrong now is right This nation's people are now united as one 
 
5) Marvin Gaye - What's Going On (1971)
We don't need to escalate You see, war is not the answer For only love can conquer hate You know we've got to find a way To bring some lovin' here today 
 
6) Bill Withers - Lean on me (1973)
You just call on me brother When you need a hand We all need somebody to lean on I just might have a problem that you'll understand 
 
7) Why can't we be friends? (War, 1975)
The color of your skin don't matter to me As long as we can live in harmony Why can't we be friends? 
 
8) Bee Gees stayin' alive (1977)
Whether you're a brother or whether you're a mother You're stayin' alive, stayin' alive Feel the city breakin' and everybody shakin' And we're stayin' alive, stayin' alive 
 
9) Bob Marley - One Love (Exodus, 1977)
One love, one heart Let's get together and feel all right Hear the children cryin' 
 
10) Sister Sledge We are family (1979)
We are family I got all my sisters with me Get up everybody and sing Everyone can see we're together As we walk on by and we fly just like birds of a feather I won't tell no lie 

11) Sade Why can't we be together (Diamond Life, 1984)
I said: "No matter, no matter what color" You are still my brother Everybody wants to live together Why can't we be together 
 
12) We are the world (USA for Africa, 1985)
We are the world We are the children We are the ones who make a brighter day, so let's start giving 
 
13) Ziggy Marley & The Melody Makers - Brothers & Sisters (1993)
Some are black and brown Others white and light That's all the difference I can remember But this we must realize We are all brothers and sisters 
 
14) Beastie Boys Bodhisattva Vow (Ill Communication 1994)
For the sake of all beings I seek The enlightened mind that I know I'll reap Respect to Shantideva and all the others Who brought down the Dharma for the sisters and brothers 
 
15) Angelique Kidjo - "We Are One" 2014
Or am I just one part Of some big plan? Your journey has only begun Is our pride, deep inside We are one Family, family, we are one One family under the sun You will find when you see
 
16) Mystic - Universal Brotherhood (2021)
It's often been said that, great discoveries When they come into the lives of men Affect their attitudes towards men's place in life Men's views, his philosophy And there's surely some truth in it
 
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Universal Brother/Sisterhood playlist 1 - Rock

This notion of universal brother and sisterhood is an idea that has a rich history and has inspired  many great thinkers from different walks of life, musicians, poets, philosophers, athletes, politicians, novelists, playwrights, actors, social activists and spiritual leaders. It's a notion that may sometimes wane in popularity, but never really grows old, and thus it can be helpful to look at a sample of eloquent reflections on the subject by some distinguished figures of history, which can be even more relevant, timely, and even necessary, in more turbulent times. In the modern bump and grind world of rock music, which speaks to average working class people, this notion continues to inspire creative and dramatic expression.
 
1- The Kinks, Strangers (Lola etc...,1970) 
Strangers on this road we are on We are not two we are one
 
2- Rush, Closer to the heart (A Farewell to Kings, 1977) 
Philosophers and ploughmen Each must know his part To sow a new mentality 
 
3- Styx, The Grand Illusion, (1978)
So if you think your life is complete confusion Because your neighbors got it made Just remember that it's a grand illusion And deep inside we're all the same
 
4- Gino Vannelli, Brother to brother (1978)
Oh mothers and fathers Where will tomorrow's children be? Oh brother, my brother Let us live our lives in peace 
 
5- Crazy Train (Bob Daisley, 1980)
Crazy, but that's how it goes Millions of people living as foes Maybe it's not too late To learn how to love And forget how to hate 
 
6- Queen & David Bowie - Under Pressure (1981) 
& love dares you to care for The people on the edge of the night & love dares you to change our way of Caring about ourselves This is our last dance This is ourselves 
 
7- Slade - My Oh My (The Amazing Kamikaze Syndrome, 1983)
So let's all pull together, my oh my Yeah, let's all pull together, my oh my We can ride the stormy weather If we all get out and try 
 
8- Dire Straits, Brothers in arms (1985)
But it's written in the starlight And every line in your palm We're fools to make war On our brothers in arms 
 
9- Midnight Oil, The Dead Heart (1987)
We carry in our hearts the true country And that cannot be stolen We follow in the steps of our ancestry And that cannot be broken 
 
10- Scorpions, Wind of change (Crazy World, 1990)
The world is closing in And did you ever think That we could be so close, like brothers? The future's in the air I can feel it everywhere Blowing with the wind of change 
 
11- U2, One (1991)
One love, one blood One life, you got to do what you should One life,with each other Sisters, brothers One life but we're not the same We get to carry each other 
 
12- R.E..M.,  Everybody hurts (Automatic for the People, 1992)
 When you're sure you've had enough Of this life, well hang on Don't let yourself go 'Cause everybody cries Everybody hurts sometimes 
 
13- Sam Roberts Band - We're All In This Together (Lo-Fantasy, 2014)
we're the thief, we're the judge, we're the jury. We're all in this together, so keep moving don't stop 
 
 
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