Right speech is a difficult thing to put into practice, which means that every day presents me with opportunities to hone this skill in my day job. I am regularly advocating on behalf of elderly individuals in nursing homes, and I have learned many lessons about Right Speech firsthand… Be Discerning The most useful lesson […]
Nina Muller
Right Speech, Part One
Ever since I came across Buddhism in my early twenties, I have been fascinated with the concept of right speech. As part of my exploration into the subject, I have studied multiple sutras that focus on this aspect of the noble eightfold path—I have also taken contemporary communication courses that are founded in Buddhist concepts, […]
Shrine, to joke, bar
It is the year 3001, and humanity has almost reached the point of no return: only a select few humans—known as “The Feelers”—are able to experience emotions, and a governmental program has decreed that they be medicated to ensure they to adopt the detached, unfeeling dispositions of the younger generations… After the Feeler’s ashes were […]
Service, to sip, Sunset Boulevard
I saw her again last night—the old raving woman with the girlish pigtails, trailing bin bags behind her that were visibly overflowing with knickknacks. This time, instead of yelling at me, she targeted my dog. “You evil man,” she told him, “I know what you did!” Her eyes didn’t leave him, even when he started […]
Mindful of Time
Some time ago—I don’t remember how long because I didn’t think to keep track—a couple of mourning doves came to inspect a flowerpot that hangs from the ceiling of my porch. They went back and forth, inspecting the flowerpot, for a day or two, and then they left. A few weeks later they were back […]
A chant, to wail, hospital ward
It is the year 3001, and humanity has almost reached the point of no return: only a select few humans—known as “The Feelers”—are able to experience emotions, and a governmental program has decreed that they be medicated to ensure they to adopt the detached, unfeeling dispositions of the younger generations… Syringe in hand, Doctor Albright […]
Tatiana Elle’s “Yoga for Women”
In her book Yoga for Women (Bloomsbury, Green Tree Publishing 2021), which was published this year, yoga teacher Tatiana Elle offers 45 sequences that are especially tailored to meet the needs of contemporary women. Drawing from her knowledge of Chinese traditional medicine, Elle does not focus solely on asanas (body postures)—instead, she offers insight into a range […]
Systemic Racism in the US: What White Buddhists Can Do, Part Two
Practice compassion A well-known Buddhist text depicts a woman who is absolutely distraught by the loss of her only child. Following the advice of the Buddha, she goes from one house to another in the search of a family who has not experienced loss, only to realize that no such family exists. The lesson is […]
Systemic Racism in the US: What White Buddhists Can Do, Part One
Last week marked an important moment for racial relations in the US, with former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin being convicted of the murder and manslaughter of George Floyd, an innocent black man. Few will have missed the tragic event that took place last spring and that sparked countrywide and international outrage over the treatment […]
Wall art, to age, abandoned house
The game: you give me a Buddhist-themed noun, an action, and a location, and I create the story. Today, I was given the noun “wall art,” the action “to age,” and a location “abandoned home.” Hope you enjoy the read! Two loud knocks, a pause, followed by another three loud knocks; Hiroshi went through the […]