Carlisle, Ontario, CA / Summer 2026

“I stand before you tonight to represent the people who do not count: The poor, the poets, and monks.  As long as there are people who are trying to realize the divine in themselves, there shall be hope in the world.”

Thomas Merton, 1968; quoted in Tales of Wonder by Huston Smith

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A little over 60 years ago, on July 12, 1966, Zen scholar D.T. Suzuki died. Merton drew much of his study of Buddhism, Zen, and Japanese culture from the writings of Suzuki. He received permission in 1964 to travel to New York for Suzuki's last visit to the United States. (social media post / 2026)

Photo of Merton and Suzuki taken by Mihoko Okamura, June 1964

 

        Zen Dancing Monoprints

There I was in Sausalito, on a houseboat drinking wine with my main man, Alan Watts.  Cool music was playing.  I looked up as Kazuaki Tanahashi and Morihei Ueshiba walked in, deep in conversation. Wow, I thought, this is a perfect situation for zen dancing!  So I got up and started to whirl around.  After a few minutes Alan Watts gets up and starts to move, too  Then Kaz and O-sensei get into the action.  Suddenly, someone picks up a glass of wine and hurls it at the white wall.  As we started to leave, Kaz reached into his robe, pulled out some gold paint, and threw it around.  Quite an experience - a koan waiting to be painted.

Gary Miller, monoprint artist:  “Inspired by Zen teachings and a lifetime of spiritual inquiry, I use sumi-e ink, black walnut wash, acrylic paint and gel plate printing techniques to render unique images hoping to inspire the imagination.”

New York, 2026

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May All Beings be Safe

May All Beings be Healthy

May All Beings be Happy

May All Beings know Love