The Kindom of Heaven Is…by Alex Gaynor
Cami Kasmerchak got me connected with Alex when she was in Sacramento with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps in 2015-2016. She’s in a class with me now, These are a Few of Our Favorite Things. She…
Author: Mark J. Chmiel
The Art of Living: Munindra/2
Earlier this week, I shared some of Munindra’s teachings. Today, I want to pass on several observations of those who knew him and learned from him. He was like a scientist who had just made…
The Art of Living: Munindra/1
The following reflections by Bengali Buddhist Anagarika Munindra come from the inspiring book by Mirka Knaster, Living This Life Fully: Stories and Teachings of Munindra. Mostly you’re living in the world of thoughts. 11 I…
Styron/Kerouac
Recently, I read Jack Kerouac’s novel, Tristessa, which didn’t take long but it was an unpleasant experience. Not long after, I came across the following prediction in James West’s Conversations with William Styron from 1962: …
The Young Thich Nhat Hanh: A Spring and Summer Course
As the Nobel Peace Prize Laureate of 1964, I now have the pleasure of proposing to you the name of Thich Nhat Hanh for that award in 1967. I do not personally know of anyone…
Inflaming the Soul
While reading Stephen Clissold’s The Wisdom of the Spanish Mystics, I was most taken by the passages that spoke of love and detachment. Once again, thanks to New Directions for publishing this series decades ago….
A Merton Hour
Please join us for a “Merton Hour” for thoughtful discussions about the impact Thomas Merton and his writings have had on us and the world we live in. On Sunday 20 February Ben Burkemper will…
Sunny Afternoon Day Dream #36
If I lived in BrooklynI would most definitely have a rebbeHer name is Rachel Sacks
Sholem Aleichem-isms
It should never happen to you! Master of the universe, what have I done to deserve all this? Some people have all the luck! I swear, I wouldn’t wish it on a dog! What happened?…
Marc and Mark
This photo was taken in the summer of 1982 at Exeter College, Oxford University. Marc Lapadula went on to success as a screenwriter and Senior Lecturer in Film Studies at Yale.