Joy, giving, family, and peace—people of all faiths can celebrate these values of the holiday season. Eight Buddhists offer their take on yuletide dharma. One Perfect Christmas Bonnie Nadzam on letting go of holiday expectations, and simply enjoying the mystery and tradition of the season. I was raised Catholic and once, as a girl, I had The Perfect Christmas. The snow was [...]
About Rachel Neumann
Committing to Impermanence
It may not be forever, but for right now Rachel Neumann and her partner of 20 years celebrate their love. Thirty-four years ago, when I was ten, I stood in a wooded field, far from a crowd of children and adults who had come to celebrate a birthday, and made two vows: I would have a daughter, at least one, and I would never get married. I imagined this daughter would be [...]
Americans in Paris
Though the climb was steep, the view was expansive. Rachel Neumann on being hot, hungry, thirsty, and tired, but still having a perfect day. Perhaps you know what it’s like loving someone so much and with such astonishment at their complicated and fragile existence that you rashly promise them something you have no hope of delivering, such as a trip to the moon or a visit to [...]
Empty Graves & Empty Boats
At her grandfather’s grave, Rachel Neumann’s anger erupted, but who was there to yell at in those long-buried remains? There’s no one to blame when an empty boat rams into you, and in the end we are all just empty boats bumping against each other. There are as many different kinds of anger as there are waves in the ocean. When my older daughter gets angry, there is a [...]
Now the Bad News
A young prince named Siddhartha was so shocked when he encountered the sufferings of the body that he went off to seek enlightenment. Today, the bad news of birth, old age, sickness, and death is still the impetus for awakening. Birth By Rachel Neumann I was four the first time I saw a woman give birth. It was early evening, at a commune deep in the Siskiyou Mountains of [...]
