Author Archives: Mark Kogan Shawcroft

Let’s get naked… Mark Kogan Shawcroft

I have recently been reading Yoka Daishi’s ‘Realising the Way’. One line that really struck me was “Just cast of the dirty old clothes you treasure and don’t boast of your pure living to others”. Firstly, I thought about appearance and how we all kind of have our own look: Hipster, Punk, Farmer, Golfer, Teacher, […]

Boxes – Mark Kogan Shawcroft

Scanning the green slopes below, I discuss the profound principle with the white cloud. Though the feeling of the wild is in mountains and waters, truly, I long for company of the way. (Hanshan) Driving past the fields turning yellow, What principle is this? The roadkill understands. Let go to hold on to heart. It […]

Who put me on a leash? Taking Tokudo – Mark Kogan Shawcroft

I was not sure about writing anything about this. Then whilst watching the Falcon and the Winter Soldier I got a real surprise. The Falcon had just reluctantly taken the mantle of being the new Captain America. He was wracked with self doubt. He was not sure he could live up to the ideal. He […]

Searching or crystals? – Mark Kogen Shawcroft

I left education when I was 29. I had cocooned myself in its embrace for 6 years. I felt I had found myself, found my friends, found my love of life. Experimented! I took photos, studied film and criticised some of the world’s greatest art pieces. Thinking I knew best. I spent many hours sat […]

Places No One Wants To Go (Shout out to my Ex.)

by Mark Kogan Shawcroft Driving though the road that splits the old Coalite site A plant that created smokeless fuel A plant the created Agent Orange for the Vietnam war A plant that allegedly put dioxins in soil Killed some cows and spoiled some milk Ended up stealing workers pensions. Constantly failing to give a […]

Waiting for a Refurb – Mark Kogen Shawcroft

I wondered not lonely Not a cloud in the sky Amongst the dust and barbed wire No thought of a why. A mirror never tired of giving Bars nothing to keep out or in penis and telephone all but forgotten Flowers thriving in the rotten. A beautiful padlock A choir in the old factory Loitering […]

Social media is OK – as long as you keep it social

Here is another piece on our Zen and the Internet theme – this from Mark Kogan Shawcroft: To post or not to post that is the question. I used to post the odd opinion on Facebook. But lately I have stuck to just putting photos of my kids having a good time, just to show the […]

SWZ Derbyshire Local Group

Mark Kogan Shawcroft has just started new local group in Bolsover, Derbyshire, after running a group in Sheffield. Recently I simply asked ‘how’s it going?’ Here’s his fascinating account of his first two months with the new group: It’s going well. Larry and Greg, who used to go to the group in Sheffield, have been […]