David Given Schwarm

Married, Father, United

Surah CIX

1. Say: O unbelievers!2. I do not serve that which you serve,3. Nor do you serve Him Whom I serve:4. Nor am I going to serve that which you server,5. Nor are you going to serve Him Whom I serve:6. You shall have your religion and I shall have my religion.
Kean–Bolivia Caracol "Peaberry"

Country of Origin–Bolivia Caracol “Peaberry”Appelation/Region–CaranaviEstate/Farm–Co-op Union Pro AgroGrower–Small Holder FarmsCertification–Fair Trade/OrganicRating & Roast Notes–Medium-Full RoastDate Roasted–Sep 6/07 I got this coffee last Wednesday–it is not bad, but the roast was a little light & the flavor was a little to complex for me. I did like the coffee when it was very hot much more…
St. Barsanuphius the Great

When anyone is disturbed or saddened under the pretext of a good and soul-profiting matter, and is angered against his neighbour, it is evident that this is not according to God: for everything that is of God is peaceful and useful and leads a man to humility and to judging himself.
19. Like a Child

I am singular in my trustfulness,I am devoid of ambition,I am as innocent as a babe.I am a waif, a stray, a child without a home.All others have an excess of things,and I am as one abandoned.How foolish and simple I am!I am bewildered.Everyone sparkles with intelligence;I am along in my obscurity. I am tossed…
Nine of Swords–Cruelty

Mechanical Cruelty! This is not good news! Use any tool at my disposal to lift myself out of this!
St. Feofil, the Fool for Christ

If you are praised, be silent. If you are scolded, be silent. If you incur losses, be silent. If you receive profit, be silent. If you are satiated, be silent. If you are hungry, also be silent. And do not be afraid that there will be no fruit when all dies down; there will be!…
Seven of Cups–Debauch

If we don’t know what to choose, we should consider leaving them all alone!!
Mark Doty–School of the Arts

School of the Arts is a great book of modern poetry. I saw Mark at the UCLA Festival of Books where I picked up this book. It has a lot of great stuff–including a meaningful cover–the dog image is Arden. Arden the dog figures very prominently in Stairs a great poem–and likely my favorite of…
3. Wu Wei

The Sage is occupied with the unspoken and acts without effort. Teaching without verbosity,producing without possessing,creating without regard to result,claiming nothing,the Sage has nothing to lose.
46. Three Treasures

All the world avowsthat while Tao is great, it is questionable!It is its greatnessthat makes it appear questionable.If it were not questoinable, it would long ago have been seen as truth. I have three treasures:simplicity, patience, and compassion.With simplicity I return to the source.With patience I become understanding,With compassion I can love. Some people forsake…