Larry Jordan Blog - Larry Jordan

False Choices and Leading Questions

Jan 06, 2023 by Larry Jordan

Recently, I was on a call with Jim Palmer, an interfaith spiritual director who promotes a non-religious spirituality. When he was asked, "Do you believe in God," Jim gave a nuanced response, suggesting that simplistic questions can present false choices.

Winter Solstice

Dec 21, 2022 by Larry Jordan

Today is the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, the beginning of winter and the longest night of the year.

Zen Practice: Sesshin (silent retreat)

Dec 12, 2022 by Larry Jordan

We just returned from a week-long sesshin, consisting of six- to eight-hours a day of zazen (seated meditation) and kinhin (walking meditation) interspersed with chanting, chores, and tea ceremonies, as well as dokusan (private meetings) and teisho (public talks) with a Zen teacher.

What is Your Spiritual Practice?

Dec 03, 2022 by Larry Jordan

After I sent my manuscript to several spiritual writers, I heard back from a progressive Christian author with 350,000 Facebook followers, who wants to endorse the book. "What is your spiritual practice?" he asked me.

Questions are Being Answered

Nov 16, 2022 by Larry Jordan

I am beginning to query agents, in hopes of finding someone to represent me and my book to the big publishers. It is common to query 100 agents and receive 99 rejections. (You only need one offer.)

"He's a Writer Now..."

Nov 12, 2022 by Larry Jordan

I spent 25 years in the investment banking business, and people sometimes ask me about the economy. At breakfast with friends, someone asked me about the economy, and I answered with an awkward silence. My friend bailed me out. "He's a writer now. He's not a banker anymore."

A Life for a Life

Nov 05, 2022 by Larry Jordan

Last month, I spent a week on a jury in a criminal trial. The charge was murder, and the jury rendered a guilty verdict and a life sentence.

"You Might be Right..."

Oct 30, 2022 by Larry Jordan

For my first author talk in Crestone, I prepared a bunch of notes and printed out a bunch of excerpts, but I spoke off the cuff, anyway. One theme that emerged from the talk was "You might be right..."

Crestone, CO author talk 09/16/22

Oct 27, 2022 by Larry Jordan

Here is a video of my author talk at the Baca Grande Library in Crestone, Colorado on September 16, 2022.

Publishing Part V: "How is Your Book Doing?"

Oct 13, 2022 by Larry Jordan

When people ask me how my book is doing, the honest answer is "Very well, considering that it's not yet available in bookstores or libraries or online." So far, I printed up some proofs, I sold some at author talks and book clubs, and I sent some to a few influencers.

Publishing Part IV: "How Do You Find a Publisher?"

Sep 09, 2022 by Larry Jordan

I will be spending the next year or so trying to find a publisher, which means that I will be spending the next few months trying to find an agent. The process is energizing, but it can be frustrating, especially for creative people who are not business-oriented.

Publishing Part III: "How Do You Write a Book?"

Sep 03, 2022 by Larry Jordan

When people ask me "How do you write a book?" I can only speak from my own experience, realizing that my way is certainly not the only way and probably not the best way to write a book (and that I have only written one book!)

Publishing Part II: "Is Your Book a Christian Book?"

Aug 26, 2022 by Larry Jordan

I attended a conference for "spiritual writers" (which was really a conference for Christian writers) and a Christian publisher asked me, "Is your book a Christian book? Does it bring people to Jesus?"

Publishing Part I: "What Will You Do with Your Book?"

Aug 22, 2022 by Larry Jordan

Some people ask where they can buy my book. Today, the book is not published or self-published, so it is not available in bookstores or libraries or online.

The Way: Chapter Summary, Part 2

Aug 15, 2022 by Larry Jordan

The Way reconstructs a modern spirituality, based on the Eastern religions, the mystics, and the quantum physicists. The reconstruction is not preachy or speculative.

Taxes: A Fact Check

Aug 12, 2022 by Larry Jordan

Several of my friends are clutching their pearls about the hiring of IRS agents over the next ten years, and Facebook is adding an AP Fact Check to some of their posts.

The Way: Chapter Summary, Part 1

Aug 10, 2022 by Larry Jordan

The Way deconstructs Christian orthodoxy, The book accepts Jesus and his teachings but rejects some human proclamations and theories about Jesus. This deconstruction is not angry or judgmental.

I Never Sold My Soul, but I Rented It Out a Few Times

Aug 06, 2022 by Larry Jordan

In my fifties, I realized how single-minded my life had been, focusing on myself, my family, and my friends.

Spiritual, but Not Religious

Aug 05, 2022 by Larry Jordan

Almost one-quarter of Americans describe themselves as “spiritual but not religious.” After a long and painful (but worthwhile) journey, this is where I find myself.

"Have You Ever Unlearned Anything?"