"The News Is Bad"

April 2, 2001

Today I was diagnosed with stomach cancer. I am 41 years old. I have a wife and three children, ages 6,4, and 1. I don't want to leave them to a life without me. But if fate should have it that way, God watch over them and give them strength.

We all must die. We cannot choose our time. The way of zen is the resolute acceptance of death, and, having talked the talk through four books, we shall see how I walk the walk, how I fight the fight. The test is here.

Every day is a beautiful day--even this day of cancer.

Love will endure through those whom we have loved.

Life is sorrowful, but to be lived in joy.

Death has insinuated itself inside me.

The only opponent is within.

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