Jim Christensen
@jhchristensen.bsky.social
Retired software architect, great-grandpa, Bodhisattva wannabe
https://www.lamrimsundayschool.org/
https://www.lamrimsundayschool.org/BCL/
https://chatgpt.com/g/g-rOgqUpi16-spiritual-elder
https://groups.google.com/g/lam-rim-sunday-school
https://www.lamrimsundayschool.org/
https://www.lamrimsundayschool.org/BCL/
https://chatgpt.com/g/g-rOgqUpi16-spiritual-elder
https://groups.google.com/g/lam-rim-sunday-school
The Chinese government seems to have a gift for self-parody when it comes to the Dalai Lama.
apnews.com/article/chin...
apnews.com/article/chin...
China criticizes decision to award a Grammy to the Dalai Lama
The Dalai Lama’s Grammy win for an audiobook, narration and storytelling has been described by Beijing as “a tool for anti-China political manipulation.”
apnews.com
February 3, 2026 at 3:00 PM
The Chinese government seems to have a gift for self-parody when it comes to the Dalai Lama.
apnews.com/article/chin...
apnews.com/article/chin...
Now there’s a word you don’t hear very often. But apt in the case at hand.
wapo.st/3ZyVOvh
wapo.st/3ZyVOvh
Opinion | Assume this loutocracy is lying about ICE until proven otherwise
Kristi Noem isn’t the only reason millions of Americans increasingly distrust the deportation mania.
wapo.st
January 28, 2026 at 3:36 PM
Now there’s a word you don’t hear very often. But apt in the case at hand.
wapo.st/3ZyVOvh
wapo.st/3ZyVOvh
It may be useful to remember that the word "terrorism" originally referred to the use of terror as a tool of oppression by a government against perceived enemies within its own citizenry during the French "Reign of Terror" (1793-94). The French also invented the term "déjà vu".
January 12, 2026 at 8:46 PM
It may be useful to remember that the word "terrorism" originally referred to the use of terror as a tool of oppression by a government against perceived enemies within its own citizenry during the French "Reign of Terror" (1793-94). The French also invented the term "déjà vu".
"To enjoy using weapons is to enjoy killing people, and to enjoy killing people is to lose your share in the common good. It is right that the murder of many people be mourned and lamented. It is right that a victor in war be received with funeral ceremonies."
Tao Te Ching 31, Le Guin translation
Tao Te Ching 31, Le Guin translation
January 7, 2026 at 2:05 AM
"To enjoy using weapons is to enjoy killing people, and to enjoy killing people is to lose your share in the common good. It is right that the murder of many people be mourned and lamented. It is right that a victor in war be received with funeral ceremonies."
Tao Te Ching 31, Le Guin translation
Tao Te Ching 31, Le Guin translation
Sad but totally foreseeable.
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/0...
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/0...
Fear grips Caracas as a new wave of repression is unleashed in Venezuela
Venezuela’s government launched a far-reaching crackdown after Maduro’s ouster, detaining journalists and civilians and sending armed gangs to the streets.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 6, 2026 at 10:54 PM
Sad but totally foreseeable.
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/0...
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/0...
I find it ironic that this day on which the true face of evil was revealed five years ago should appear on the day of Epiphany.
January 6, 2026 at 5:17 PM
I find it ironic that this day on which the true face of evil was revealed five years ago should appear on the day of Epiphany.
For the third Sunday of Advent: A meditation on the Magnificat and a link to Bach's version:
www.lamrimsundayschool.org/BCL/index.ht...
www.lamrimsundayschool.org/BCL/index.ht...
BCL - A Buddho-Christian Lectionary
Buddhist and Christian wisdom for these times
www.lamrimsundayschool.org
December 10, 2025 at 10:17 PM
For the third Sunday of Advent: A meditation on the Magnificat and a link to Bach's version:
www.lamrimsundayschool.org/BCL/index.ht...
www.lamrimsundayschool.org/BCL/index.ht...
For the third Sunday of Advent: A Highway in the Desert
www.lamrimsundayschool.org/BCL/index.ht...
www.lamrimsundayschool.org/BCL/index.ht...
BCL - A Buddho-Christian Lectionary
Buddhist and Christian wisdom for these times
www.lamrimsundayschool.org
December 10, 2025 at 8:24 PM
For the third Sunday of Advent: A Highway in the Desert
www.lamrimsundayschool.org/BCL/index.ht...
www.lamrimsundayschool.org/BCL/index.ht...
“This is like a yak quickly eating as much grass as it can while keeping its eye on more distant pastures. One may not be able to act or have the same realization as great masters or the Buddha, but one can aspire to follow them and pray to be able to do so."
tricycle.org/magazine/the...
tricycle.org/magazine/the...
The Four Limitless Thoughts
How to open your heart for the benefit of all beings
tricycle.org
November 26, 2025 at 2:24 PM
“This is like a yak quickly eating as much grass as it can while keeping its eye on more distant pastures. One may not be able to act or have the same realization as great masters or the Buddha, but one can aspire to follow them and pray to be able to do so."
tricycle.org/magazine/the...
tricycle.org/magazine/the...
All alike (young, old, men, women, non‑binary) need to find a meaningful role of service, connection, and awakening — not just rescuing men, but helping all humans to awaken beyond the narrow confines of class, work, gender, and status.
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
What Did Men Do to Deserve This?
Changes in the economy and in the culture seem to have hit them hard. Scott Galloway believes they need an “aspirational vision of masculinity.”
www.newyorker.com
November 9, 2025 at 6:59 PM
All alike (young, old, men, women, non‑binary) need to find a meaningful role of service, connection, and awakening — not just rescuing men, but helping all humans to awaken beyond the narrow confines of class, work, gender, and status.
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
This vandalism symbolizes a house of service being turned into a stage of self‑aggrandizement. Similarly, our spiritual houses (the body, the mind, community) must be preserved with care if they are to serve awakening, not collapse into vanity.
www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...
www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...
Why Trump Tore Down the East Wing
The act of destruction is precisely the point: a kind of performance piece meant to display Trump’s arbitrary power over the Presidency, including its physical seat.
www.newyorker.com
October 25, 2025 at 3:18 PM
This vandalism symbolizes a house of service being turned into a stage of self‑aggrandizement. Similarly, our spiritual houses (the body, the mind, community) must be preserved with care if they are to serve awakening, not collapse into vanity.
www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...
www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God." - Matthew 5:9
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Opinion | Utah Valley University faced a choice after Charlie Kirk’s killing
The school’s president sought to care for her community after the shocking assassination.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 22, 2025 at 2:44 PM
"Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God." - Matthew 5:9
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
The cutting of Federally funded education programs and services would disproportionately affect lower-income and minority individuals and families. Surprise, surprise.
www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
With shutdown cuts, Trump moves closer to eliminating Education Department
The administration is looking to shed workers and transfer some operations to other departments as it seeks to close the Education Department
www.washingtonpost.com
October 18, 2025 at 2:58 PM
The cutting of Federally funded education programs and services would disproportionately affect lower-income and minority individuals and families. Surprise, surprise.
www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...
So I was listening to this #Bach #fugue that the YouTube algorithm popped up for me, and I realized...
1/4
youtu.be/CUvasybre88?...
1/4
youtu.be/CUvasybre88?...
Bach - Prelude and fugue in G major BWV 541 - Winsemius | Netherlands Bach Society
YouTube video by Netherlands Bach Society
youtu.be
October 17, 2025 at 8:09 PM
So I was listening to this #Bach #fugue that the YouTube algorithm popped up for me, and I realized...
1/4
youtu.be/CUvasybre88?...
1/4
youtu.be/CUvasybre88?...
Crystal clear: "...the premise of the document is inconsistent with our core belief that scientific funding should be based on scientific merit alone."
orgchart.mit.edu/letters/rega...
orgchart.mit.edu/letters/rega...
Regarding the Compact | MIT Organization Chart
orgchart.mit.edu
October 10, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Crystal clear: "...the premise of the document is inconsistent with our core belief that scientific funding should be based on scientific merit alone."
orgchart.mit.edu/letters/rega...
orgchart.mit.edu/letters/rega...
Just curious - is there any organization that is keeping track of the mess that will need to be cleaned up in 2027 and 2029? www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
ICE kept most offices open in shutdown — but not the one inspecting detention centers
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s entire Office of Detention Oversight has been placed on furlough, despite surging numbers of detainees.
www.washingtonpost.com
October 7, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Just curious - is there any organization that is keeping track of the mess that will need to be cleaned up in 2027 and 2029? www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
Commentary on this week's Lectionary reading: "Faith purified of self-interest becomes indestructible." - www.lamrimsundayschool.org/BCL/
October 3, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Commentary on this week's Lectionary reading: "Faith purified of self-interest becomes indestructible." - www.lamrimsundayschool.org/BCL/
Re: Today's farcical meeting in Quantico:
"Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood,..."
1/2
"Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood,..."
1/2
September 30, 2025 at 4:21 PM
Re: Today's farcical meeting in Quantico:
"Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood,..."
1/2
"Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood,..."
1/2
A deep reading of the Parable of the Unjust Steward:
www.lamrimsundayschool.org/BCL/CPent15a...
www.lamrimsundayschool.org/BCL/CPent15a...
Pentecost 15(a)
www.lamrimsundayschool.org
September 22, 2025 at 10:33 PM
A deep reading of the Parable of the Unjust Steward:
www.lamrimsundayschool.org/BCL/CPent15a...
www.lamrimsundayschool.org/BCL/CPent15a...
The American Dream ca. 1976.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqRv...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqRv...
The Pretender
YouTube video by Jackson Browne - Topic
www.youtube.com
September 7, 2025 at 6:17 PM
The American Dream ca. 1976.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqRv...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=SqRv...
Next stop: Kent State
www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
National Guard now carrying weapons in D.C.
Guard members will carry their service-issued weapons, which may include pistols or rifles, and “detentions may occur leading to arrests,” a spokesperson said.
www.washingtonpost.com
August 25, 2025 at 2:17 AM
Next stop: Kent State
www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...
"The present time is always ripe for awakening, yet we delay, hoping for better conditions."
- www.lamrimsundayschool.org/BCL/
- www.lamrimsundayschool.org/BCL/
BCL - A Buddho-Christian Lectionary
www.lamrimsundayschool.org
August 14, 2025 at 8:45 PM
"The present time is always ripe for awakening, yet we delay, hoping for better conditions."
- www.lamrimsundayschool.org/BCL/
- www.lamrimsundayschool.org/BCL/
Sickeningly ignorant and destructive. www.cnn.com/2025/08/13/c...
The perfectly fine, already-paid-for satellites Trump wants to destroy in a fiery atmospheric reentry | CNN
NASA is planning to decommission premier satellite missions that gather information on planet-warming pollution and other climate vital signs beginning as soon as October, sources inside and outside o...
www.cnn.com
August 14, 2025 at 1:04 PM
Sickeningly ignorant and destructive. www.cnn.com/2025/08/13/c...
Interesting interview just now with @jamestalarico.bsky.social on CNN. He identifies the Democrats' "wandering in the wilderness" as a time to find a new vision to build a new majority. Maybe something like this: docs.google.com/document/d/e...
Proposed Resolution: A Manifesto for a New American Majority
docs.google.com
July 30, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Interesting interview just now with @jamestalarico.bsky.social on CNN. He identifies the Democrats' "wandering in the wilderness" as a time to find a new vision to build a new majority. Maybe something like this: docs.google.com/document/d/e...
Weakening U.S. intelligence capacity has created room for ideological decision-making, not reality-based policy. That leaves Ukraine—and ultimately U.S. and European security—at the mercy of impulsive, uninformed choices.
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
The U.S. Is Switching Sides
Donald Trump is giving Vladimir Putin every incentive to keep killing Ukrainians.
www.theatlantic.com
July 4, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Weakening U.S. intelligence capacity has created room for ideological decision-making, not reality-based policy. That leaves Ukraine—and ultimately U.S. and European security—at the mercy of impulsive, uninformed choices.
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...