This is a very special storytime that we caught on tape but weren’t sure what to do with.  Our ode to the wintry north.  Plus some other stuff.  Thanks to everyone who made this possible.

We sit around the fireside and swap stories about how we got into Zen and how it got into us.  Plus some tips for beginners based on our vast armory of past mistakes.

Links mentioned:

• Patrick’s Video Guide for Zazen Beginners.

 Books mentioned:

•  Dinty W. Moore’s The Accidental Buddhist.

A B-List reality program lifts the veil on the ugly truth of class consciousness in America.  We discuss between Gwen’s mouthfuls of curry.

One of the ZIS duo is tying the knot, and it’s not the girly one.  Congratulations Gwen!  But how do you stay cool when everyone around you is cheezing out?

Links mentioned:

• Gwen and Joel dot com.

Books mentioned:

• Ariel Stallings’ The Offbeat Bride.
• 7 Principles for Making Marriage Work by John Gottman.

Yes, Patrick has caved and joined Facebook, discussion ensues and there might be something to be learned from all of this connectivity, but the truth is you’ll probably just waste 28 minutes of your precious human rebirth.

Links mentioned:

• The Slate article that broke Patrick’s back.

• Grethin Rubin’s Happiness Project.  Like Zen is Stupid but without the Zen and the… uh… Stupid.

• Zen is Stupid’s Facebook page.