In 'Funny Story', Emily Henry tells the story of Daphne Vincent, a children’s librarian whose life is turned upside down when her fiancé, Peter, leaves her for his childhood best friend, Petra. Daphne moves in with Petra’s ex, Miles Nowak, a chaotic and laid-back winery employee who is the opposite of Daphne’s practical and buttoned-up personality. As they form a tenuous friendship and engage in a pretend-lovers plot, they navigate their emotional baggage, childhood traumas, and the complexities of love and relationships. The novel is set in the beautiful small town of Waning Bay, Michigan, and explores themes of self-discovery, meaningful friendships, and the growth of the characters.
Published in 1949, '1984' is a cautionary tale by George Orwell that explores the dangers of totalitarianism. The novel is set in a dystopian future where the world is divided into three super-states, with the protagonist Winston Smith living in Oceania, ruled by the mysterious and omnipotent leader Big Brother. Winston works at the Ministry of Truth, where he rewrites historical records to conform to the Party's ever-changing narrative. He begins an illicit love affair with Julia and starts to rebel against the Party, but they are eventually caught and subjected to brutal torture and indoctrination. The novel highlights themes of government surveillance, manipulation of language and history, and the suppression of individual freedom and independent thought.
The Great Believers follows two intertwining storylines. The first is set in 1980s and '90s Chicago, where Yale Tishman, an art gallery acquisitions manager, navigates the devastating effects of the AIDS epidemic on his community. The second storyline takes place in Paris in 2015, where Fiona Marcus, a secondary character from the first storyline, searches for her estranged daughter and grapples with the long-term consequences of the epidemic on her life. The novel explores themes of loss, betrayal, friendship, and survival, and it is known for its detailed portrayal of the emotional and social impacts of the AIDS crisis[2][4][5].
Percival Everett's "James" is a powerful and thought-provoking novel that reimagines the classic tale of Huckleberry Finn from the perspective of Jim. Everett's writing is both sharp and witty, blending humor and pathos to create a compelling narrative. The novel explores themes of race, freedom, and identity in a way that is both timely and timeless. Everett's unique voice and perspective offer a fresh take on a familiar story, challenging readers to reconsider their assumptions about race and American history. The novel's unexpected twists and turns keep readers engaged until the very end, leaving a lasting impression long after the final page is turned.
In "The Deepest Place," Curt Thompson explores the profound connection between suffering and the formation of hope. He delves into interpersonal neurobiology, demonstrating how our relationships shape our brains and influence our capacity for hope. The book offers practical strategies for cultivating durable hope, emphasizing the importance of community and vulnerability. Thompson challenges readers to confront their deepest wounds and discover the transformative power of love and connection. Ultimately, the book provides a roadmap for navigating life's challenges and finding lasting hope.
In 'Tell Me Something About Buddhism', Zenju Earthlyn Manuel offers a comprehensive and accessible introduction to Buddhism. The book is structured as a series of questions and answers, making it easy for curious beginners to understand the core teachings, practices, and principles of Buddhism. With a foreword by Thich Nhat Hanh, the book includes poetry and illustrations by the author, enhancing the reader's experience and understanding of Buddhist concepts.
This book examines the interface between inner and outer sanctuary, highlighting how they affect one another. Drawing from her life as a Zen Buddhist priest and her ancestors' experiences as slaves in Louisiana, Zenju Earthlyn Manuel explores the tension between oppression and finding home within one's heart. The book uses intimate personal stories and deep reflection to guide readers in cultivating a spiritual path, especially in challenging times. It emphasizes the importance of acknowledging both physical and spiritual homelessness and finding refuge in a world filled with oppression and disconnection.
The novel takes place in the Great Massasauga Swamp near Whiteheart, Michigan, and revolves around Hermine 'Herself' Zook, an herbalist, and her granddaughter Donkey. It explores themes of family, tradition, modernity, and the struggle between natural cures and modern medicine. The story delves into the lives of strong, independent women and their interactions with the natural world and the men around them, highlighting issues of freedom, choice, and the intersection of folklore and history.
Conceived at the crossroads of Buddhism and indigenous earth-based practice, The Shamanic Bones of Zen delves into the deep human traditions of transformation through meditation, ceremony, ritual, dreams, and spiritual connection to one’s ancestry. Zenju Earthlyn Manuel draws on her personal journey with the black church, African, Caribbean, and Native American ceremonial practices, and with Nichiren and Zen Buddhism to build a compelling case for discovering and cultivating the shamanic elements in Buddhism. The book guides readers in Zen practice, including ritual, preparing sanctuaries, engaging in chanting practices, and deepening embodiment with ceremony.
In 'The Way of Tenderness', Zen priest Zenju Earthlyn Manuel integrates her experiences as a lesbian black woman with Buddhist teachings to address issues of identity and privilege. The book emphasizes that dry wisdom alone is insufficient to heal the wounds of the marginalized and advocates for a practice that embraces tenderness, warmth, and compassion to cure hatred and heal damage. It rethinks the intersection of conventional reality and emptiness, making race, gender, and sexuality sites for spiritual awakening rather than illusions to be transcended.
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Very few of us relish chaos and disruption, but they are facts of life, given the nonnegotiable nature of change. In this episode with Zenju Earthlyn Manuel, we’re going to talk about how to tune into the value of disruption, and learn how to sit with the chaos.
Zenju Earthlyn Manuel is an ordained Zen priest, holds a Ph.D., and worked for decades as a social science researcher and development director for non-profit organizations. She is also a prolific author.
In this conversation we’ll explore:
- what to do with the unknown and not having any answers
- the power of a “sip of silence” (her term)
- what she means by the phrase “death as a doorway to tenderness”
- how she defines tenderness - a word that can easily get bogged down in sloppy sentimentality
- and what she meant when she wrote “I'm not advocating love as an answer to all of the ills of the world. Then again, it is just that simple to be love.”
Content Warning: There are brief mentions of assault; spiritual, sexual, and substance abuse; and racism, including an incident Zenju experienced herself.
Full Shownotes: www.meditatehappier.com/podcast/tph/zenju-earthlyn-manuel-rerun
This episode was originally published in October 2021.