Buddha Archives • Heather Lyn Mann

What Does the Writer in You Say? Part Two

August 8, 2015 by heatherlynmann

On August 4th, I published part one of an excerpt from Ocean of Insight: A Sailor's Voyage Deep into the Climate Crisis along with an invitation for the writer in you to offer your critique to help make this better book. Below, the story continues. I'm sharing paragraphs from the first chapter, one that explores the theme of fear. All…

#Dharma Talk: the #Paramita of #Ethics

January 11, 2014 by heatherlynmann

Dear Friends, We can create happiness in ourselves and those around us by observing, studying, and practicing the Buddhist teachings on the Paramitas--the six qualities of an enlightened being that transform suffering. In this Dharma Talk, I explore the Parimita of Ethics. Each of us possesses the qualities of transformation,…

#WalkingMeditation at a #BuddhistRetreat

January 3, 2014 by heatherlynmann

Last October, at a Buddhist retreat in Southwestern Wisconsin, I led a walking meditation. Here are my words of introduction and closing comments. Of special note, I'd like to acknowledge Geneen Marie Haugen for her beautiful writing in "Imagining Earth,"a chapter published in Spiritual Ecology: The Cry of the Earth.…

#MeditationPractice for the #SacredEcologist

December 6, 2013 by heatherlynmann

Through the ages, wise ones handed down two forms of meditation: active and selective. In active meditation, we sit in an upright way, calm our body, and place attention on the inflow and outflow of our breath. Here we meet our wandering mind. The "practice" of active mediation involves 1)…

A #Sailor Discovers #DivineWisdom

October 15, 2013 by heatherlynmann

Here is an excerpt from writing done while sailing. Please read to the end and answer the question posed. Enjoy! H The deceptively simple sail is a technological wonder. Dense threads—hammered together under force—prevent even the most determined blow from penetrating the weave. The fabric is able to withstand years…

#Mindfulness and the #NeuroticMind

September 22, 2013 by heatherlynmann

I learned about the relationship between my mind and breath at my first Buddhist retreat. Sitting in calm alertness, I tried to focus my mind on a single point of pure, dependable reality: my breathing. Sitting peacefully I thought: Breathing in I feel myself breathing in. Breathing out I feel…

#SandMining: Are we Eating Our Children?

September 18, 2013 by heatherlynmann

Here is an excerpt from a book in the works: Who Hears the Sound of the Last Wave? Enjoy--H Ships Log: February 19, 2012, 08:15—Eleven-Mile Beach, Barbuda I step out of the dinghy just past the surf and pink sand swallows my foot to the calf. The next wave knocks…

Writing Sample–Part 7

June 24, 2013 by heatherlynmann

This is the next installment of a story begun in my June 5th posting. It is an excerpt from Ocean of Insight: A Climate Justice Memoir. Welcome aboard--H In the inky night--dressed in long underwear, fleece, waterproof bib overalls, Wellington boots, and a rain jacket cinched at neck and wrists--I…

Heather Lyn Mann