Blog Heather Lyn Mann

What to do about Omelas

February 27, 2015 by heatherlynmann

On January 18th, in a post called "The Good News of Rejecting Exploitation," I responded to a David Brooks article in the New York Times. Brooks shared and commented on a parable for our times penned by Ursula LeGuin entitled, "The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas." Here is the link to…

Earth Holding in the Plum Village Tradition

February 21, 2015February 21, 2015 by heatherlynmann

I I serve on the editorial committee of a new online offering that I think you will enjoy-- Touching the Earth: A Newsletter of Earth Holding Actions in the Plum Village Tradition Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh says, "Every on of us can do something to protect and care…

Mother Earth’s Valentine Metta Meditation

February 10, 2015February 11, 2015 by heatherlynmann

It’s Valentine’s Season and time to express love to our beloveds. Let’s not forget about someone most special--Mother Earth—because she is the giver of life and sustainer of everything we know and hold dear. We can make a gift to her, in celebration of the holiday, and deliver it through…

William Gibson and the Present Moment

February 4, 2015 by heatherlynmann

William Gibson --a novelist and essayist of speculative fiction who coined the term "cyberspace"--observes this about now: The future is already here, it's just unevenly distributed.

Hope: A Poem for Inspiration

January 22, 2015 by heatherlynmann

We cannot see the entirety of the situation from where we sit. I wrote this one-line poem to shatter the limits of perception and remind myself things aren't always as they seem. Hope Leaves fall, and still the tree lives.

The Good News of Rejecting Exploitation

January 18, 2015 by heatherlynmann

David Brooks recently wrote about Ursula Le Guin’s parable, “The Ones Who Walk Away from Omelas.” The short story is a provocative tale capturing the complexities of exploitation in modern society. In it, a child is locked in a basement and suffers deeply on behalf of the greater good. Take a look at what…

Pope Francis Embraces Religion and Science

January 5, 2015 by heatherlynmann

Here is a worthwhile read-- Thus, while creationists may reject science out of religious belief, other religious believers accept and embrace what science tells us -- and frequently also do so out of religious motivations. Check out this link to Chris Mooney's recent Washington Post article exploring Religion and Science--Our new pro-science…

Beyond White Privilege is Human Privilege

January 3, 2015 by heatherlynmann

Recent news events spark conversation across America about White Privilege—a harmful current more damaging than blatant discrimination because society's dominant race is mostly unaware of the benefits we enjoys at other’s expense. White Privilege first pierced American society in 1988 when Wellesley women’s –studies scholar Peggy McIntosh published “White Privilege and Male Privilege.” In the article she…

Mindful Advocacy and Spiritual Authority

December 17, 2014 by heatherlynmann

As a professional advocate for twenty-plus years, I can say people of my ilk don't know we do our jobs in two separate but simultaneous realms. First, advocates work in what is called the “historical” realm—this is the every-day world where we commute to work, sit in meetings, draft emails, lobby, educate, and demonstrate. We define…

Meditation on Species Extinction and #Fearlessness

November 23, 2014November 23, 2014 by heatherlynmann

Dear Friends, When we allow ourselves to take in the reality of today's massive rate of species extinction--unprecedented loss happening at a global scale--our minds and hearts can grow destabilized. We can slip into an emotional tail spin of anger, fear, denial, and blame. But it is important to remain steady and present with extinction and what…

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Heather Lyn Mann