Dear readers,
I hope your summer months were fulfilling—even if they didn't quite go as planned—and that the start of October finds you in good health and spirits. The last few months, though not quite as restful as anticipated, contained many joyful moments, including spotting a family of river otters while canoeing the Big River Estuary in Mendocino, California.
In the world of Be the Refuge, I'm touched by those of you who've taken the time to write to share your reactions. It's been gratifying to learn that the book is being taught in classrooms and that students are seeing themselves reflected in its pages. I also want to extend a huge thank you to Nancy Chu for this intimate interview in Berfrois, and to Adeana McNicholl for this thoughtful review in Pacific World.
My first hybrid events for Be the Refuge are coming up this month in Hawaii! I'll be delivering the 22nd annual Bloom-Futaba Lecture series at the Hawaii Betsuin at 9am HST on Saturday, October 16—you can register for the livestream link here—and giving a short dharma message at Mō'ili'ili Hongwanji's Sunday service the following day. More details about these and other upcoming talks are available on this events page.
I've been asked a number of times about the phrase "[former] Buddhist chaplain" on the cover of Be the Refuge. The "[former]" is there because I'm not officially a badge-wearing chaplain anymore, though my writing is ever informed by my chaplaincy training. Indeed, I'm currently working on a memoir on Buddhist chaplaincy. For a glimpse into the writing process for this second book project, check out "Seeking Shelter in Disaster Oasis."
Finally, I'm especially excited to be co-leading, with Trent Walker, "Story and Song: Learning and Living with Buddhist Chant," a four-day retreat at the Barre Center next February 18–21, 2022. Registration for the lottery to attend will close on November 15. For those who are able to make it out to Massachusetts to join us, this retreat will give us a rare opportunity to delve into the Cambodian Dharma song tradition as sounds and stories that stir us and still us with their beautiful melodies and enduring messages.
Wishing you a peaceful autumn,
~Chenxing
