How to tell your brother you're dating his friend

For the past 20 or 30 years or so, a number of us have been meeting on a weekly basis to discuss topics of “Buddhist Methodist” import. Ten years or so ago (unlike most Methodists and a majority of Buddhists,  our archives and record keeping are kept more spontaneously than rigorously)  we started sending out a “question of the week” prior to our meeting in order to kick off our discussion.  Most of us, find  the “discussion starters” to be quite useful, though a few find such a format restrictive. Nevertheless, recently, it was suggested I start posting these questions of the week here on our website., for the growing number of “non-locals” who find this site useful, or at least interesting.  I’ll add more questions– both new and from the archives,  as time and inclination allow.

4/22/18 Question of the Week: Big I and Little I, Ram Dass , Don Juan and Joel Goldsmith 

I enjoy writing books. I’ve published a dozen of them, on a variety of topics. Here they are, with brief introductions, from latest (2020) to earliest (1996).

How to Graduate from the Electoral College: A Layman’s Plan to Reclaim Voter Sovereignty
This little book was almost an accident. I thought we all agreed that the Electoral College failed to do what it was designed to do. But then some very bright, well-educated and insightful friends argued for keeping it. What? Colorado is going to be voting on this issue in November. So I started looking behind the curtain . . .Went all the way back to the Magna Carta. But it’s a quick read. I tried to make it fun.

How to Stop Smoking in One Easy Second—A Heart Mountain Monastery Murder Mystery
This is a novel, about an old guy who stops smoking in one easy second because he gets a bullet between the eyes. It’s told from his point of view, after he drops the body. I had a lot of fun with this. Hope you might too.

A Wave of Thanks—and Other Human Gestures: 31 Quick Stories
This is a small collection of small stories– flash fictions– most written fairly recently, though a few from years and years ago. They were fun to write. Hopefully they are fun to read.

Confessions of a Two Timer: How to Use an Ordinary Kitchen Timer to Find Flow, Overcome Procrastination, Win Prizes, Be Popular and Become a Neighborhood Buddha
I love this little book, mainly because I love my little timer. After writing the book, I love– and use– my timer even more. I convinced myself. You might also get convinced.

The Smoker’s Prayer: The Spiritual Healing of Tobacco Addiction with or without Chantix, Nicotine Patches, Hypnosis, Jail Time or Duct Tape
I had to be an old guy, with thirty years in the business, before I had the gonads to write this book. You can buy it cheap– just 99 cents– on Kindle. ($9.99 for the print copy.) I’d love to hear your response.

The Potless Pot High: How to Get High, Clear and Spunky, without Weed
I wrote this book because there was none other like it—not fearful of or condemning pot smokers, just showing how to get high and stay high with less hassle.

How to Stop Smoking in 15 Easy Years A Slacker’s Guide to Final Freedom
If you’re still smoking after many years of trying to quit, this fun and radical little book just might set you free. I wrote it shortly after retiring from the business, lest I forget . . .
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Happy John: An Advaita (non-dual) Gospel
This is the Book of John (yes THE Book of John) rendered through a contemporary, non-dual point of view. “In the beginning was the word, and the word was Joy.” Here in my dotage, I’m thinking it might be my best book.

Practicing the Presence of Peace
This is my non-religious “updating” of the 17th Century spiritual classic The Practice of the Presence of God, by Brother Lawrence. This book talks about retaining peace during traffic jams, homework assignments, election seasons. I really like it.

The Enlightened Smoker’s Guide to Quitting: Learn to Forget to Smoke
This book was first published in 1998 and republished in 2010. It’s a fun, upbeat book that has helped smokers all over the world.
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How to Help Your Smoker Quit: A Brave and Happy Strategy
If you have a smoker in the family, or close by, your reading this book will help you relate and help in ways that will happily surprise you and your smoker!

Now Hiring: Finding & Keeping Good Help for Your Entry-Wage Jobs
This book, written with Steve Lauer, is now 25 years old. But the principles remain the same. Maybe the pandemic makes it a whole new challenge. Again, the principles remain the same.

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