4. Thich Nhat Hanh, Teachings on Love

[pauraque]

I've read several of Thich Nhat Hanh's books, and I definitely think he has the right idea. I'm not a Buddhist, but I share some of the ideals of Buddhism, and I've found these books helpful in figuring out how to put the ideals into practice, particularly in managing anger and unkind impulses. I like that there are concrete suggestions for ways of

Comments

[firecat]

I'm a Buddhist, not necessarily all that well-read in it, but I've noticed there's a dearth of Buddhist advice about how to get out of abusive situations. Maybe it's because the circumstances of abuse situations vary a lot and how a person needs to handle it depends on their individual circumstances.

If we are one world, if our existence is dependent on every other person, as is described in this book, then why make note of blood relationships at all? Surely in that worldview I am as "related" to my friends as I am to my blood relatives.

I would tend to agree, although I think one's relationships to friends often have different qualities than one's relationship to blood family, and the qualities sometimes are useful subjects for contemplation.

>My ancestors were Christian and Jewish. But my roots also go back to Stonewall, and they also go back to the first fans who published zines.

I like this!

[pauraque]

I would tend to agree, although I think one's relationships to friends often have different qualities than one's relationship to blood family, and the qualities sometimes are useful subjects for contemplation.

True. Interconnectedness doesn't mean sameness.

[browngirl]

But my roots also go back to Stonewall, and they also go back to the first fans who published zines.

This is an excellent point.