A cartoon in a recent New Yorker magazine, pictured two men, in somewhat tattered clothing, obviously down on their luck, sitting on a park bench in Central Park, and telling each other the story of how they arrived at this point in their lives.

One of the essential ways of becoming close to any person is by truly listening, from the heart, to that person's story, so that, increasingly, we become able to understand them, as they understand themselves.

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Richard Powers is an American novelist whose works explore the effects of modern science and technology. Below are some excepts from an interesting article he wrote, entitled "Being and Seeming: the Technology of Representation"

When I was young, my Irish Catholic mother made sure that I received all of the necessary rites of passage that were available in our church. That began with baptism, but I have no memory of being baptized. The first rite that I was old enough to remember was my first communion when I was about 9 years old. And it was very memorable for a number of reasons.

Although the focus of Unlearning the Basics is strictly Buddhist, the overarching perspective is ecumenical. It gives a critical Asian perspective on the contemplative foundations that must be in place for active ministry to be truly life-giving.  If you read it, let's discuss it !!!