The characters in “Mad Men” are like hungry ghosts, says Rod Meade Sperry, endlessly consuming liquor, drugs — and each other.
Our Furry Friends
Each Friday, we share three topical longreads in our Weekend Reader newsletter. This week, LionsRoar.com’s Rod Meade Sperry shares the lessons he’s learned through the years from loving and losing pets.
Wayne Shorter’s New Musical Masterwork, Emanon, Is a Big Mind Adventure
Wayne Shorter is one of jazz’s great geniuses, and at 85 remains an inspired, inspiring workhorse. His new three-disc album — which comes matched with a graphic novel — showcases his innovation, recalls his storied career, and reflects his Buddhist practice.
How to Start a Buddhist Meditation Group
What can you do if you haven’t found a nearby place to meditate? One good answer: D.I.Y. Here are 7 tips from Rod Meade Sperry to get you started.
XXXTentacion funeral to be officiated by Buddhist teacher Lama Rod Owens

Today Buddhist teacher Lama Rod Owens announced to his Facebook followers that he would serve as the officiant at the funeral of rapper XXXTentacion.
Even the Colonel Is Meditating
Meditation is getting mainstream enough to attract the attention of big advertisers. Rod Meade Sperry analyzes the latest videos from KFC.
Against the Stream to investigate allegations of sexual misconduct by Noah Levine; results expected within a month

Against the Stream released a statement addressing allegations of sexual misconduct by Noah Levine, to which he has responded.
Buddhists supporting March for Our Lives share their photos and messages
Many Buddhist practitioners, teachers, and communities participated in Saturday’s March for Our Lives, or otherwise expressed solidarity.
When the late Stephen Hawking warned that one of Buddhism’s “Three Poisons” threatened us all
The brilliant physicist and cosmologist Stephen Hawking, inspiration and author of so many important works, died today at 76.
Watch the trailer for a new documentary on the late comedian and Buddhist Mike DeStefano

Mike DeStefano’s memory is to get a much-deserved bump, thanks to the pending release of a documentary about him.