Author Archives: mikemullooly

Volume 35. January 22, 2023 After the hoopla of Times Square, after the ball drop, champagne, and fireworks, there is the silence. The clean slate. The New Year. Seminal Irish rock band U2 sing about this season in their aptly named song “New Year’s Day.” All is quiet on New Year’s Day. A world inContinue reading “All is Quiet on New Year’s Day”

Volume 34. December 20, 2022 In those immortal words of Buddhist wisdom sung by Christmas crooner Andy Williams: “It’s the holiday season (the holiday season). So whoop-de-do and dickory dock And don’t forget to hang up your sock ‘Cause just exactly at twelve o’clock, He’ll be coming down the chimney, down.(He’ll be coming down the chimney,Continue reading “Have Yourself An Ear Worm Christmas”

Volume 33. November 22, 2022 Thanksgiving is upon us. At this time of year when the leaves have fallen from the trees, and before we tuck in for a long winter’s nap, our minds turn to the simple blessings of life. Good food, secure homes, being happy in our ways. Gratitude is a trait amongContinue reading “Thanksgiving Buddha-style”

Volume 32. October 17, 2022 Han Shan (“Cold Mountain”) was a Chinese Buddhist figure associated with a collection of poems from the Tang Dynasty.  When he lived, who he was, and whether he existed is a mystery. Apparently, he lived alone in an empty cave on Cold Mountain, following the Way, harmonizing with the eternalContinue reading “Turning to Cold Mountain”

Volume 31. September 4, 2022 Monumental complainer Falstaff in Shakespeare’s Henry IV bellowed, “I were better to be eaten to death with a rust than to be scoured to nothing with perpetual motion!”  In our fast-paced society, sometimes we all need a rest.   Meditation provides serenity, peace, calm and tranquility. But even during peacefulContinue reading “Don’t Worry About A Thing”

Volume 30. August 2, 2022 The Lotus Sutra is one of the world’s great religious scriptures. Its influence on the history of Buddhism, like an ancient river, has been wide and deep. The Lotus Sutra proclaims the transcendental nature of the Buddha (the Buddha is not only man, but a god) and the doctrine ofContinue reading “Wisdom of the Lotus Sutra”

American poet Emily Dickinson reveled in the bliss of summer when she wrote,  Inebriate of air am I,  And debauchee of dew Reeling through endless summer days From inns of molten blue.  Drunk on the “Taste of a Liquor Never Brewed,” Miss Dickinson teaches us Buddhist wisdom. Enjoy the moment. Set aside conceptual thinking. Breathe.Continue reading “Song of Summer”

Volume 28. June 6, 2022 Guitar god Keith Richards probably put it best when he sang: “Here’s another goodbye to another good friend.” The school year ended on a sad note in Uvalde, Texas.  Blood splattered across blackboards. Traumatized survivors running for their lives. Frantic parents crying on the sidewalk. Screams of agony. Nineteen innocentContinue reading “Another Goodbye to Another Good Friend”

Volume 27. May 8, 2022 Mae West (1893-1980) was a stage and screen actress known for her breezy sexual independence and bawdy double entendres. America’s first sex symbol once said in her mumbling, husky voice, “You only live once, but if you do it right, once is all you need.” Surprisingly, the Buddha would agree. Sex, lifeContinue reading “The Buddhist Perspective on Life”

Volume 26. April 11, 2022 One day after the slap heard round the world, on March 28, 2022, Will Smith apologized to Chris Rock. “My behavior at last night’s Academy Awards was unacceptable and inexcusable … I would like to apologize to you, Chris. I was out of line and I was wrong.” Then whyContinue reading “Man’s Inhumanity to Man”