Themes
About
This is a work in progress multimedia project exploring the diversity of Buddhist lay practice in a complex modern life. Eventually, the project will culminate in a book and a series of short films. Meanwhile, I am looking for practitioners throughout US add their voice to this project.
Profiles
Themes
Until I can find a collaborator to write a better narrative, I am structuring the project around themes that may interest people that are curious about how the path manifests in modern practitioner’s life. With the vastness of teachings by notable teachers already available online, the focus of these stories reflect the embodiment and impact that the path has in real life.
Other Practices
Practitioners rely on an array of other practices to navigate life's challenges.
Your Spiritual Friends
As much as I would like to showcase an authentic reflection of ‘diverse’ practitioners in the west, the reality of this issue is beyond the scope of this narrative. Consider these subjects as spiritual friends that are brave enough to share these stories about their intimate practice.
Rachel
My first exposure to dharma was during my undergraduate studies majoring in Philosophy/Asian Studies. However, this didn’t translate to a personal practice until a few years later when I lost two friends to suicide in a six-month period. The bereavement related to their deaths was so overwhelming that it forced me to seek out additional community and support.
Alex M
Growing up, my mother would take my brother and I to Chinese Buddhist Temples scattered around the Bay Area on a very sporadic basis. Usually, just a few times a hour, if that. I wouldn’t say that I was introduced to the dharma per se then, but it does have a place in the memories of my childhood as an introduction to traditions and ritual.
Notes
From time to time, you may find these notes about the project and my pilgrimage slightly entertaining.
Highlights from first leg
Originally I was going to put together a just photo slideshow of all the beautiful places I got to check out on my journey. However, I only recently decided to engaged more on the video editing side of this project and [...]
Ngondro
Having switched from Theravadan practice to Varjayana almost overnight during a particular retreat, I have been interested in doing ngondro for the last 5 years but I was 'deter' from doing it from one of my teachers a few years back. [...]
Pandemic Update
Despite all the external and internal challenges presented by the pandemic on a personal front, it was a productive time for moving this project forward. Because my main source of income was severely impacted, I had much time on my hand [...]