As an ex-GI, I often find my heart and loving-kindness practice embracing our enlisted men and women throughout the world, and especially those in war zones. War is hell. That’s no cliché, and only those who have been in combat can truly testify to what that phrase means. That’s why around Veterans Day I highlighted the […]
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Tag Archives: war
If We Could Poll the Dead Iraqis-Poem, Music, and Interview with Thich Nhat Hanh
2010/06/17 
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I wrote this poem this week after listening to an American soldier talk about his deep regret over his part in the Iraqi war and his sorrow over his role in the destruction and loss of so many lives. After the poem, please have a listen to John Gorka’s powerful song, “The Road of Good […]
Continue reading A Poem about the “severe gift” of Grief
2010/05/31 4 Comments
I’ve been reading a lot of the poetry of Wendell Berry lately, and this excerpt from his poem “Rising” came to mind this morning as I thought of all those we have lost through war and other tragedies. Although the poem speaks of the burdens we carry in our hearts over loved ones lost, it […]
Continue reading Brave Heart—Michael J Contos, Vietnam Veteran
2009/11/18 4 Comments
“I lied to my platoon to prevent a mutiny from bursting to a head some 40 years ago. Today, I granted myself forgiveness. I cleansed a wound that never seemed to heal until now…” http://contoveros.wordpress.com/2009/11/18/finally-light-shines-on-my-mutiny-quash/ Don’t miss this moving account of a young lieutenant in Vietnam who courageously put the good others above his own […]
Continue readingListening with compassion and mindfulness
2009/11/12 2 Comments
Listening with compassion and mindfulness The ability to listen with compassion and total presence is one of the most important skills we can bring to our healing practice. In Buddhism, this skill is so important that its essence is embodied in one of its most beloved bodhisattvas, Avalokiteshvara —“One who hears the cries of the […]
Continue reading Veterans Day Book-At Hell’s Gate: A Soldier’s Journey from War to Peace by Claude Anshin Thomas
2009/11/11 4 Comments
At Hell’s Gate by Claude Anshin Thomas is one of the most powerful, moving books I’ve ever read in terms of understanding war and the effects of war on people. I think only All Quiet on the Western Front had a greater emotional impact on me. Not that At Hell’s Gate is “great literature.“ On the […]
Continue readingMetta-Care: Bill Moyers Documentary “The Good Soldier”
2009/11/09 0 Comments
“As America prepares to observe Veterans Day and President Obama weighs sending more troops to fight in Afghanistan, BILL MOYERS JOURNAL broadcasts a powerful documentary about the impact on soldiers of learning to kill – or be killed. THE GOOD SOLDIER follows four veterans – one from World War II, two from Vietnam, and the […]
Continue readingMay All Beings Be Happy
- Looking at the Ninth Zen Precept-I Do Not Indulge In Anger
- True God, True Buddha
- The Difference Between Compassion and “Idiot Compassion”
- Ajahn Brahmavamso teaches Loving-kindness Meditation
- Now-and-Zen-Are you still carrying her?
- A Buddhist Mantra based on the Prayer of St. Francis
- Mindfulness of Breathing-The Anapanasati Sutta
- Buddhist Forgiveness-When We Have Hurt Another-Part 3
- Healing the Body with Mindfulness of Breathing
- Practicing the Middle Way-not too much, not too little
- Look at the Three Characteristics in Terms of Actions
- Thich Nhat Hanh – Healing Through Resting in the Breath
- How Metta Can Help You When Meditation is Hindered by Overwhelming Feelings
- The Importance of Taking the “Should” out of Spiritual Practice
- Can We “Choose” to Be Happy? No—and Yes!
- Ken Mcleod on how to use Thich Nhat Hanh’s Five-Step Method of Emotional Releasing
- Non-resistance and the Art of Resisting without Resisting!
- Don’t be fooled! There is a Way and We Can Walk It!
- The Importance of Compassion in Assessing Our Dharma Progress
- Jesus and the Buddha on Good Friday
Metta Refuge 