You put something into words here that I've been struggling with for a while – the notion of practicing Buddhist meditation, but not being a Buddhist (as in converting to Buddhism). I've taken up Zen and Vipassana around ten years ago, and I do practice insight meditation, mindfulness meditation and sometimes Metta meditation. It's not important to me to label myself a "Buddhist", though the practice has changed my life – and that's all that matters to me. Cheers from Germany, Stephan
Good point, Isabel. It sort of reminds me of the dating app commercial, in which the advertisers claim that their goal is for you to delete their app because you don’t need it anymore. lol 😆
Wow, Don! I see a Memoir in the trees of your life and I have the benefit and blessing of having met you F2F, a delightful time in Hyannis last week. You bring up two things for me in this brief bio besides your talent for creative expression in what you have produced and what continues to inspire you. The first is that I don't remember when I came to "I AM" as defining me. It may have been in translating some Hebrew that sowed the seed that has been sprouting ever since. It is in the book of Exodus when God said to Moses, "I am that I am." There's much more to that for another time. The second thing is what Ghandi said: "'I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ." Many who call themselves "Christians" today do not look or sound like they have a clue what that means about loving your neighbor, doing justice, showing mercy, offering peace. You, my friend, are walking the walk. It's a privilege to know you and to receive the gifts of what you share here.
Finishing up our 10 day trip with 3 nights in NYC and leaving early tomorrow morning to fly home. I'm confident you'll write a book and hope I'm around to read it.
Thanks Gary. I know you said you were going to see a show or a play in the city. I’ve only been to one Broadway play – fiddler on the roof. It was an astounding performance!
Great to learn more about you, Don! I love what you say about your interest in and engagement with Buddhism but lack of desire to call yourself a Buddhist. I'm similar - I feel Buddhism has a lot to teach me and I am very willing to learn, but for now I'm resistant to labelling myself in that way (perhaps partly because my meditation practice comes and goes). That might not be the case forever, but for now I tend to think of myself as 'Buddhist-adjacent' or 'Buddhist-curious'. Loved the quote from Dan's book - I will have to get myself a copy!
In regards to Dan't book, I found it refreshingly non-religious, despite the fact that he was a Jewish rabbi. I've been reading books on mindfulness almost non-stop for the last five years and this one was not repetitive in any way, speaking about ego and "unity-consciousness" in a really fresh and original way.. It opened my mind even further! It was brief and easy to read, too.
Hi Don, it's lovely to learn more about you. Thank you for sharing more about yourself. I'm now switching from 'French' Boi-re to 'Slow'- Bo ;-)
I'm going to read Dan's book now. I appreciate how you've discussed the religious concepts—Dan's quote hits the mark.
Curiosity and learning have always driven me to explore, so I find it hard to hold to only one 'path', or to define one as superior to others. So I'm saving this article as you've surmised what was an inarticulate feeling. Thanks
This is a great intro Don. I resonate with the shyness. Infact three quarters of the way through grade 1 my teacher called in my parents with great excitement because I had finally spoken. Apparently I answered a question with a whispered 'yes.' I'm sure this has held me back in life. People assume that if you are quiet you don't have much to say, whereas the opposite is often the case - hence the writing. I too am loving Substack for that. It is wonderful that you have found Jennifer. I'm sure she has added a lot of richness to your life. Thanks for writing so honestly in all your posts. 😊
Thank you so much, Phoebe. I think today they might have diagnosed you with "selective mutism". My daughter suffered from social anxiety pretty badly. Your whispered "yes" reminds me of her. And if she did have to speak to another adult she would look at me or her mother, not at the person she was speaking to.
From the sound of your brief bio, I think you may be right! And I notice we each have a post entitled "Who Am I?" I am going to check out some of your writing, Aun. Thanks!
I love how you say that “Transformation, waking up, realizing our true nature; that’s what matters,” not what religion or practices you adhere to. That’s my mission! So many ways to the top of the mountain, as they say! Yet I also love how you discovered meditation and attend sanghas regularly. There is also such richness in participating in contemplative experiences whenever we can. I have done Vedic meditation and sometimes do my Vedic meditation and sometimes do something more Shamanic when the mood takes me. And the quotes from your teachers in school. Classic! That made me laugh. Very sweet. Thanks for sharing yourself. I can feel your good heart. 🙏🏻
Thanks, Michelle! I had included in my essay a note commenting on the teacher's report about my crying "instead" of asking for help, how I was otherwise "well adjusted." I was never once referred for counseling despite my terror of speaking out in class throughout grade school and beyond (not sure schools even had counselors back then)! But I deleted it to keep things streamlined. Perhaps the subject of another post!
I smiled when I read your explanation of why you do not consider yourself a Buddhist, even though the Buddha’s teachings are an important part of your life. It reminded me of the observation, “The Buddha did not teach Buddhism. He taught the Dharma.”
I forgot to say that I too was shy as a child and always had my nose in a book or writing ------- mostly letters! I started writing poetry as a young teen. Your teacher's letter sounds a little like what my kindergarten teacher had written about me! But I loved your story!
Thank you, Connie. I haven't published a book yet! Just a few articles—in some guitar-building and remodeling magazines and once in the Thoreau Society Bulletin. You've published your poems—that's great! We are the same. 🙂💚
Your life and story sound interesting! Sorta sounds like me except I haven't published a book yet! But I've had some of my poems published in Anthologies, poetry magazines, Substack and Quora..I almost had a book published by a religious book publisher but he wanted to be paid first and I just didn't have funds to have it published. I even asked my church at the time for funds but they declined! (This was back in the 80's!) I just wish I could write something spectacular! But you are a 10+! I'm only 2 or 3!
Thank you, Jonathan. Nice to meet you too! I should have put this right in the essay: you may keep on pronouncing it that way because it’s the French pronunciation, which I don’t mind! :-)
So lovely to meet you properly! And I'm so glad Thich Nhat Hanh’s book fell into your life exactly when you needed it, what beautiful serendipity. I was also a very shy child throughout school and can very much relate to those reports. Every parent's evening without fail my mum would be told I need to speak more in class! And then one year my English teacher understood me and my silence and said she knew I was always thinking and she didn't need me to speak. That was the most wonderful invitation to be able to share my ideas I've ever had.
Thanks, Daniela. That’s a great story. I wonder how many of us Substack writers have good memories of English teachers who inspired us or supported us in some way. I sure do!
Such a delightful intro, Don. I noticed you followed me, and I was curious about you, wanted to find out more, and was going to click a random essay, then saw this intro post. Fab timing :)
Really enjoyed reading this, and look forward to reading more of your work. The canoe looks beautiful <3
Hey Don, thanks for this intriguing introduction.
You put something into words here that I've been struggling with for a while – the notion of practicing Buddhist meditation, but not being a Buddhist (as in converting to Buddhism). I've taken up Zen and Vipassana around ten years ago, and I do practice insight meditation, mindfulness meditation and sometimes Metta meditation. It's not important to me to label myself a "Buddhist", though the practice has changed my life – and that's all that matters to me. Cheers from Germany, Stephan
Thanks, Stephan. I sometimes say that I practice Buddhist-inspired mindfulness. Or just mindfulness! Glad to hear it has changed your life. Mine too!
Seems like the most Buddhist choice of all—no attachment to the label
Good point, Isabel. It sort of reminds me of the dating app commercial, in which the advertisers claim that their goal is for you to delete their app because you don’t need it anymore. lol 😆
Wow, Don! I see a Memoir in the trees of your life and I have the benefit and blessing of having met you F2F, a delightful time in Hyannis last week. You bring up two things for me in this brief bio besides your talent for creative expression in what you have produced and what continues to inspire you. The first is that I don't remember when I came to "I AM" as defining me. It may have been in translating some Hebrew that sowed the seed that has been sprouting ever since. It is in the book of Exodus when God said to Moses, "I am that I am." There's much more to that for another time. The second thing is what Ghandi said: "'I like your Christ, I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ." Many who call themselves "Christians" today do not look or sound like they have a clue what that means about loving your neighbor, doing justice, showing mercy, offering peace. You, my friend, are walking the walk. It's a privilege to know you and to receive the gifts of what you share here.
Thank you so much, Gary! That’s very flattering. I would love to write a book!
It really was so nice meeting you and Susie . I’m glad you had a great vacation. Back in Mexico now?
Finishing up our 10 day trip with 3 nights in NYC and leaving early tomorrow morning to fly home. I'm confident you'll write a book and hope I'm around to read it.
Thanks Gary. I know you said you were going to see a show or a play in the city. I’ve only been to one Broadway play – fiddler on the roof. It was an astounding performance!
Great to learn more about you, Don! I love what you say about your interest in and engagement with Buddhism but lack of desire to call yourself a Buddhist. I'm similar - I feel Buddhism has a lot to teach me and I am very willing to learn, but for now I'm resistant to labelling myself in that way (perhaps partly because my meditation practice comes and goes). That might not be the case forever, but for now I tend to think of myself as 'Buddhist-adjacent' or 'Buddhist-curious'. Loved the quote from Dan's book - I will have to get myself a copy!
Me, too, Kate! I use the term Buddhist-inspired.
In regards to Dan't book, I found it refreshingly non-religious, despite the fact that he was a Jewish rabbi. I've been reading books on mindfulness almost non-stop for the last five years and this one was not repetitive in any way, speaking about ego and "unity-consciousness" in a really fresh and original way.. It opened my mind even further! It was brief and easy to read, too.
Nice to hear from you, Kate!
Ooh, I like Buddhist-inspired!
Hi Don, it's lovely to learn more about you. Thank you for sharing more about yourself. I'm now switching from 'French' Boi-re to 'Slow'- Bo ;-)
I'm going to read Dan's book now. I appreciate how you've discussed the religious concepts—Dan's quote hits the mark.
Curiosity and learning have always driven me to explore, so I find it hard to hold to only one 'path', or to define one as superior to others. So I'm saving this article as you've surmised what was an inarticulate feeling. Thanks
Haha, I actually don't mind when people pronounce my name in the French. It's just the "boy" pronunciation that I don't care for.
Thanks, Victoria. 🙏💚
Pleased to meet you Don:)
Thank you for your thought provoking and vulnerable posts on being a human in this world 🙏
Thank you, Lisa! 🙏
This is a great intro Don. I resonate with the shyness. Infact three quarters of the way through grade 1 my teacher called in my parents with great excitement because I had finally spoken. Apparently I answered a question with a whispered 'yes.' I'm sure this has held me back in life. People assume that if you are quiet you don't have much to say, whereas the opposite is often the case - hence the writing. I too am loving Substack for that. It is wonderful that you have found Jennifer. I'm sure she has added a lot of richness to your life. Thanks for writing so honestly in all your posts. 😊
Thank you so much, Phoebe. I think today they might have diagnosed you with "selective mutism". My daughter suffered from social anxiety pretty badly. Your whispered "yes" reminds me of her. And if she did have to speak to another adult she would look at me or her mother, not at the person she was speaking to.
Thanks for reading and commenting, Phoebe! 💚
Yes, I think you are right about the selective mutism. I was actually an early speaker, just not in social situations like school.
I swear if we went to school together we would be friends for sure! Glad to know you, and love your essays and stories.
From the sound of your brief bio, I think you may be right! And I notice we each have a post entitled "Who Am I?" I am going to check out some of your writing, Aun. Thanks!
I love how you say that “Transformation, waking up, realizing our true nature; that’s what matters,” not what religion or practices you adhere to. That’s my mission! So many ways to the top of the mountain, as they say! Yet I also love how you discovered meditation and attend sanghas regularly. There is also such richness in participating in contemplative experiences whenever we can. I have done Vedic meditation and sometimes do my Vedic meditation and sometimes do something more Shamanic when the mood takes me. And the quotes from your teachers in school. Classic! That made me laugh. Very sweet. Thanks for sharing yourself. I can feel your good heart. 🙏🏻
Thanks, Michelle! I had included in my essay a note commenting on the teacher's report about my crying "instead" of asking for help, how I was otherwise "well adjusted." I was never once referred for counseling despite my terror of speaking out in class throughout grade school and beyond (not sure schools even had counselors back then)! But I deleted it to keep things streamlined. Perhaps the subject of another post!
Don I really enjoyed reading this! You are such an artist. It shows in everything you do. Be proud. I'm so proud of you!❣️
Thanks, Donna. I hope you're okay with that picture. I think you look really cute! 🩷🩷
Thank you for sharing, Don.
I smiled when I read your explanation of why you do not consider yourself a Buddhist, even though the Buddha’s teachings are an important part of your life. It reminded me of the observation, “The Buddha did not teach Buddhism. He taught the Dharma.”
Thanks, Taishin. So nice to hear from you; I really value your input! 🙏
Don, you write and describe yourself in a humble manner. I respect the honesty in your words. Thanks Don !
Thanks, Karl. I really appreciate that!
I forgot to say that I too was shy as a child and always had my nose in a book or writing ------- mostly letters! I started writing poetry as a young teen. Your teacher's letter sounds a little like what my kindergarten teacher had written about me! But I loved your story!
Thank you, Connie. I haven't published a book yet! Just a few articles—in some guitar-building and remodeling magazines and once in the Thoreau Society Bulletin. You've published your poems—that's great! We are the same. 🙂💚
Your life and story sound interesting! Sorta sounds like me except I haven't published a book yet! But I've had some of my poems published in Anthologies, poetry magazines, Substack and Quora..I almost had a book published by a religious book publisher but he wanted to be paid first and I just didn't have funds to have it published. I even asked my church at the time for funds but they declined! (This was back in the 80's!) I just wish I could write something spectacular! But you are a 10+! I'm only 2 or 3!
Hey Don. I pronounced your name “Bwa-veh(n) when I first read it, so I got the lineage right anyway. It’s great to meet you here.
Thank you, Jonathan. Nice to meet you too! I should have put this right in the essay: you may keep on pronouncing it that way because it’s the French pronunciation, which I don’t mind! :-)
So lovely to meet you properly! And I'm so glad Thich Nhat Hanh’s book fell into your life exactly when you needed it, what beautiful serendipity. I was also a very shy child throughout school and can very much relate to those reports. Every parent's evening without fail my mum would be told I need to speak more in class! And then one year my English teacher understood me and my silence and said she knew I was always thinking and she didn't need me to speak. That was the most wonderful invitation to be able to share my ideas I've ever had.
Thanks, Daniela. That’s a great story. I wonder how many of us Substack writers have good memories of English teachers who inspired us or supported us in some way. I sure do!
I think you could be onto something there!
Such a delightful intro, Don. I noticed you followed me, and I was curious about you, wanted to find out more, and was going to click a random essay, then saw this intro post. Fab timing :)
Really enjoyed reading this, and look forward to reading more of your work. The canoe looks beautiful <3
Thanks for the follow. I’ve just subscribed!
Thank you so much, Sandi. I really appreciate that! 🙏💚
❤️ You’re so welcome!
Where / how did you find me on Substack? I’m so curious. I’m imagining it was in someone’s comments section?
I honestly don’t remember now. I follow anyone who engages with me in any way.