Direction

This is the desk where I write Ox Herding. When I began this project, I didn't expect it to become an important part of my practice. But it has.

Actually, the creation of Ox Herding closely resembles formal practice. Sometimes it's sheer joy; other times I'd rather clean the cat litter. Last summer I stopped for bit, just as I occasionally fall away from sitting (especially, and oddly, when life seems too much to bear). But, all in all, the practice of writing five posts each week has produced many rewards, not least of which are relationships with many of you.

A rather large number of people visit Ox Herding every day. About half come from a search engine and the rest appear to be regular readers. I'm astonished, simply astonished. Thank you.

Beginning today, you might notice a few small changes.

First, most posts will be illustrated with my own photography, a goofy modification since I'm not a photographer in any sense. But I want the blog to feel more personal (without being confessional). Please bear with me as I learn how to use a camera.

I also will continue a trend of the last several months: to write more about the life of awareness (and less about Big Buddhist Topics). I have neither the scholarly background nor the practice chops to write about capital "B" Buddhism (although this hasn't stopped me in the past!).

Much will remain the same. The cartoons (mostly from The New Yorker), and commentary on them, will continue weekly. The Friday videos will also continue, at least for a while. Do you enjoy them? (I spend a lot of time trying to find suitable clips.)

In the early days of Ox Herding, I responded to nearly all comments; lately I've noticed that I have less availability to respond in this way. Please don't take this as a lack of appreciation!

Mostly, at the beginning of a new year, I want to thank you for your ongoing friendship. I'm grateful for your support.

Comments

[Marcus]

Great new ideas for the Ox! Nice one! I look forward to another great year of herding. Thank you so much.

With palms together,

Marcus

[Suzanne]

I too love the discipline of blogging, althought my updates are more weekly than daily. The changes sound very healthy, fitting in with your needs/wants/desires, keeping in mind that desires can guide as well as be denied! I look forward to your posts and try to comment as often as I can. Enjoy.

[bob]

Like the videos and cartoons. Have come to understand more from your posts than you could imagine.
This is the first place I turn to in the morning. Is that attachment?

[Genju]

Love what you've done to the old place, Barry! :-)

I like the videos and the cartoons. Well, I like everything. As with Bob, it's the first on my list of morning sutras to read, study and practice. Some days I just leave it as the page on my screen because it is very comforting.

Thank you so much for your effort. I have gained much steadiness from just sitting here.

Lynette Genju

[John Small]

I look forward to seeing what you see through your camera.

[Kim]

I just wanted to say, thank you for this blog and sharing your thoughts with us out here... I don't comment much but I enjoy reading!

[Lauren Crane]

Barry,

Thanks for continuing. The little B topics, I think, will be a nice change. That is where "it" all happens. This may also be a good time to thank you for introducing me to Seung Sahn.

I often fall from sitting. It's good to know it is a not uncommon experience.

Cheers,
-Lauren

[David Clark]

I like the trend to the "life of awareness", the personal touch is a nice fit with your blog. Keep the cartoons and the video. The video seems sort of like a reward for getting through the week. For daily readers like myself, it marks the beginning of the weekend (yay!).

Since we're discussing this blog, let me say that the links you provide come in very handy. A friend from the Vista Zen Center asked me for some direction in locating good Zen sites on the net. I sent him a link to this site to use in exploring what is available.

I also try to use my own photos and artwork on my blog, but I find I'm getting lazier about this. Keep it up if you can. It really adds a personal touch, like on Dosho Port's site (it helps that his dog Bodhi is photogenic!).

David

[puerhan]

thank you for your practice Barry and thank you for sharing. Really thank you.
_/\_

[Genju]

I forgot to mention that I look forward to the comments too. I think that's as inspiring as the posts which create a safe space for all of it to happen.

[jill i]

Barry,
Thanks and appreciate you including us in your daily practice. I try to use my own photos, too, in my blog although occasionally I've borrowed some to match what I'm writing about. Interesting, a couple other blogs I follow are starting the new year with some changes. And I, too, am thinking about some, but direction is still fuzzy. Only go straight, right? Nice to know you have so many visitors and regular readers.

grazie,
jill

[Barry Briggs]

Thank you, everyone, for your support and willingness to provide feedback. I appreciate it very much - really, more than words can say.

[Zach Lawson]

I just stumble in here and I must say that I feel very comfortable... how about some tea HAHAHAHA

I added you to my blog roll and I will be checking back to get more enlightenment from your "doing action" on this site!

5 stars my friend 5 stars!

Zach