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Eric O'Rafferty
The great state of Advaita
Writer/storyteller, nurturer/teacher/student, traveling inner & outer worlds. Nonlinear idea synthesis. Dad, teacher, climber, yogi, runner, advocate.
Interests: Kids, Twice-Exceptional Beings, Climbing, Mountaineering, Outdoors, Backpacking, Camping, Bouldering, Sport Climbing, Travel, Food, Spirits (multiple kinds!) Expats, and lots more.
Recent Activity
Summer is for Slowing Down
Posted Jul 8, 2018 at The Dirtbag Dad
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"We hold these truths to be self-evident..."
Maya Angelou's poetry that has me reflecting on the United States' Independence Day in a new way; an alternative declaration of independence for which all of humanity must strive. See also a full discussion around this poem and Carl Sagan's "pale blue dot" from Maria Popova's Brainpickings: A Brave and... Continue reading
Posted Jul 7, 2018 at The Dirtbag Dad
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Dear Mom
A belated Mother's Day post. But not too late for Mother's Day itself. Of course, lest we forget, everyday is Mother's Day. Dear Mom, These words struck me first: because I don't mean these poems only but the unseen unbelievable effort it takes to live the life that goes on... Continue reading
Posted May 29, 2018 at The Dirtbag Dad
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Patti Smith on Robert Mapplethorpe and Having a Calling as an Artist
Powerful, beautiful, wise thoughts from Patti Smith (interviewed live on Alex Baldwin’s Here’s the Thing podcast): “Your prime directive has to be to do something new, to give something new to the canon of art, to give something new to the people, to do something great, to do something enduring,... Continue reading
Posted Dec 31, 2017 at The Dirtbag Dad
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Deep Diving
Prelude: "The night is always darkest just prior to the dawn" (Thomas Fuller and many others since and likely before). Gone When he’s gone, it won’t be because he did not care It won’t be because was not capable It won’t be because he could not love It won’t be... Continue reading
Posted Nov 25, 2017 at The Dirtbag Dad
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One Hell of a Mother...
Another episode in the Defining the Dirtbag Dad series. Hardship, deprivation, and struggles of many varieties have made me one resilient, tough, and resourceful motherfucker. Yet they have not made me vengeful, cynical, or hardened. Instead, this journey has wrought increasing gentleness, kindness, and compassion unto me and just as... Continue reading
Posted Sep 17, 2017 at The Dirtbag Dad
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A Journey of a Thousand Steps...
...sometimes need not begin with even a step, but a deep kiss: "Let the beauty you love be what you do. There are a thousand ways to kneel and kiss the ground." —Rumi "Follow your bliss." Joseph Campell didn't originate this, he just affirmed what has lain within the human... Continue reading
Posted Sep 9, 2017 at The Dirtbag Dad
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The Slowness
Slowly, Slowly, Do not rush the unfolding of your soul. Everything takes time to bloom. —Unattributed. Anyone know from where this came? I have a gut feeling it may be from either some Sanskrit text or a poet like Rumi. A vastly more poetic version of my old technology industry... Continue reading
Posted Sep 3, 2017 at The Dirtbag Dad
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My Dad Wasn't a Climber
Posted Aug 28, 2017 at The Dirtbag Dad
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Margaret Mead on the Dirtbag Dad
Posted Aug 28, 2017 at The Dirtbag Dad
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The Guest House
A poem from Rumi, resonating on multiple levels in this season of renewal and rebirth. You just can't go wrong with Rumi. The Guest House This being human is a guest house. Every morning a new arrival. A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected... Continue reading
Posted Apr 30, 2017 at The Dirtbag Dad
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Distress and Impairment
These symptoms (distress and impairment) are a critical element to a mental health diagnosis. Not only is this aspect misunderstood with regards to the President, but for those who suffer from mental health ailments in general (perhaps more importantly). Dr. Frances eloquently (and succinctly) clarifies this in his letter to... Continue reading
Posted Mar 3, 2017 at The Dirtbag Dad
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Made My Day (not the Dirty Harry version)
A highly worthy repost (re-poem?) from Dr. R. Scott Colglazier: The Bible as Haiku (1) The sun begins to shine. Large dark clouds gather in our hearts. The sun keeps shining. The Bible as Haiku (2) Paradise is lost. We never stop looking for it. Paradise finds us. The Bible... Continue reading
Posted Feb 16, 2017 at The Dirtbag Dad
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A note in reply to Dr. Scott
Dear Dr. Scott*, The act of not-writing a poem/script/song, in this instance, is a clever means of doing just that. Evocative. Mysterious. My prayers and blessings to you and yours. Not sure which of the two is more needed, so covering all bases. All my best regards, Eric * Dr.... Continue reading
Posted Feb 16, 2017 at The Dirtbag Dad
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More Legacy: For Irving on his 90th
This is the third in a series of reflections on significant people in my life during my formative years. I think I may still working through those formative years! The first two are about my dad and my mom. I've known Irving for over 40 years now. He's married to... Continue reading
Posted Nov 25, 2016 at The Dirtbag Dad
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To Those Gathered Here Today
Posted Nov 25, 2016 at The Dirtbag Dad
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Beauty in Three Acts
Posted Nov 14, 2016 at The Dirtbag Dad
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Cheyne Lempe, the Enormocast, Climbing, Expeditions, & Anxiety
How's that for a long title? I just finished listening to an episode of one of my top, go-to podcasts: the Enormocast. The Enormocast is focused on climbing. It definitely covers areas most non-climbers won't have any clue as to what being discussed. Yet, to paraphrase its host Chris Kalous,... Continue reading
Posted Oct 7, 2016 at The Dirtbag Dad
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Legacy: For the One Who Has Always Been There (and Always Will Be)
Today is my mom's 75th birthday. Happy birthday Mom! A month ago, I wrote about my dad on his 75th birthday (Oh Father Wither Thou Goest). Unlike him, I do know where my mom is. And not only do we know how to find each other, we regularly and deeply... Continue reading
Posted Sep 25, 2016 at The Dirtbag Dad
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Oh Father, Wither thou goest?
Today is my Dad's 75th birthday. Wishing him the very best. I just don't know where he is. He does know how to find me. And the door is open. It has been for a long time. I don't bite. And you are welcome here. It can't hurt to try...... Continue reading
Posted Aug 27, 2016 at The Dirtbag Dad
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What is Brave?
The most brave are the most vulnerable. The general leading the very front of the charge. Black folks sitting at an all white lunch counter in the 1950's. An Afghani girl getting an education. Understanding that your anxiety is both a challenge and a gift. Being brave = being vulnerable.... Continue reading
Posted Aug 9, 2016 at The Dirtbag Dad
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The Complexity of Examination
Posted Feb 21, 2016 at The Dirtbag Dad
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The Big Reset... In Progress
Posted Feb 18, 2016 at The Dirtbag Dad
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Surefire Predictions (Seth Godin)
This piece is worth repeating in full on the cusp of the new year. Seth Godin often succinctly puts forth superb ideas: From his blog: I'm betting on the following happening in 2016: An event will happen that will surprise, confound and ultimately bore the pundits. Out of the corner... Continue reading
Posted Jan 1, 2016 at The Dirtbag Dad
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Eric O'Rafferty added a favorite at Seth's Blog
Jan 1, 2016
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