A Draught of Home

To me, it seems as though you have some stereotypes about what Buddhists are suppose to act like: calm and serene. But to me, Buddhism is more about awareness and equanimity than it is about maintaining some plastic immobile front.

Awareness and equanimity are really some of the most valuable practices that a writer could have, I should think. You are engaged in hearing the stories of others. Whether we are engaged in the awareness of our own stories, as they play through our heads, or the awareness of the stories of others as they relate them to us, it is still awareness, it is still presence that we must bring to the moment.

And when hearing the stories of others, it is a writer who must hear them clearly, without judgment, honestly as they are told, caringly as we would listen to our own doubts and fears, and openly without turning away.

This is revelation, and to abide in its midst is transformative. If it seems that you are listening to someone else, try listening deeper. You might find it’s really your own self talking. Because, when you listen in that place that knows, you will realize that we are all wise and fools alike.