Gratitude Journal/6
Dear Kelley, Thanks for this week’s nocturnal emails expressing indignation, that, yes, injustice continues to spread misery all over the planet. What can I say in response? How can we resist being colonized, mentally enslaved…
Author: Mark J. Chmiel
Rant/1 (Welcome to Palestine/2)
From an internet cafe Somewhere on the outskirts of Ramallah 80 degrees and sunny outside Dear Layla So in your last email (Which I’ve read four times as of this morning) You wanted to know…
How We Love Each Other
You often say to me With smiling encouragement “No worries!” Then I take a big deep breath I sometimes remind you With beaming confidence “No hurries!” Then you stop and stand still
Who Is That Person Who Can Stay Calm?
A book I have enjoyed is Happiness by Thich Nhat Hanh. I’ve liked it so much I give it to friends for their happiness! In the book, Thầy shares various gathas, verses one recites to…
Writing Meditation: A Course Inspired by the Work of Thich Nhat Hanh
“Every day we are engaged in a miracle which we don’t even recognize: a blue sky, white clouds, green leaves, the black, curious eyes of a child–our own two eyes. All is a miracle.” “I…
When Truth Is Staring You in the Face
Tasha Morris sent me a message a few weeks ago and I post a portion of it below. She told me I could share it, no problem. We studied Social Justice in spring 2007 at…
The Beauty of This Life
Thanks to Tricia Stackle Who in 2001 introduced me to Carrie Culver Who in 2011 introduced me to Katy Didden Who in 2011 introduced me to Lindsay Sihilling Who in 2012 introduced me to Kelley Schwartz…
Vitebsk, Yelets, Uglitch, Murmansk, Minsk
Dear Bella Levenshteyn The last twenty minutes I’ve been staring into space Above the computer screen After reading the notes you sent me From your mother’s recollections of Russia When you visited her recently in…
The Diamond Sutra Explained
She asked me,”Hey Shimmelstoy Are you headed to Mississippi To see Thich Nhat Hanh?” “Naw, ” I said “I already see him twice a week When I’m with Chris Wallach”
Dear Doctor Marwaha
Back then we did shots Of Liquid Cocaine Feasted on the dishes At Little Saigon Café Talked about Red Warren’s All the King’s Men You gave me an authentic George W. Bush doll