Author Archives: EricKVanHorn

Magic and Miracles

Posted on July 10, 2021 by EricKVanHorn

There are times when I just love how the universe works. As I am fond of saying, those who do not believe in magic and miracles simply are not paying attention. Here is a story in three parts. Part one: … Continue reading →

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The Clogged Filter Teacher

Posted on May 28, 2021 by EricKVanHorn

As many of you may know, yesterday was Wesak (Vesak). This is the most important Buddhist holiday. Traditionally it is the day on which the Buddha was born, became enlightened, and died. I had planned to spend the day meditating, … Continue reading →

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The Wishing Game

Posted on May 22, 2021 by EricKVanHorn

This story compliments of Ajahn Brahm There were five children who were playing the wishing game. In the wishing game the child who comes up with the best wish wins. The first child said, “I wish for the latest, greatest … Continue reading →

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Infinite Time

Posted on July 23, 2020 by EricKVanHorn

A man falls into a manhole. Whenever he sees someone walk by, he calls for help. Finally someone stops, looks down into the hole, and jumps in. “What did you do that for?” the man asks. “Now we are both … Continue reading →

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Generosity

Posted on January 1, 2020 by EricKVanHorn

I have not done a post in quite a while. I put most of my energy into my Jātaka book project these days. I am currently working on the final edits for volume 4. When you do a project like … Continue reading →

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Killing in Self Defense

Posted on January 27, 2019 by EricKVanHorn

“For this cause I am prepared to die. But there is no cause for which I am prepared to kill.” – Mahatma Gandhi A friend of mine who teaches meditation had a student ask her this past week what the … Continue reading →

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Racism and the Dharma

Posted on December 21, 2018 by EricKVanHorn

There is an article in today’s Washington Post about a bizarre incident that took place at Lehigh University last year. A student from China was the roommate of a black man from the U.S. During their senior semester, there were a … Continue reading →

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Compassion

Posted on December 2, 2018 by EricKVanHorn

I heard an extraordinary story today that I would like to share with you. It is a story told by Ajahn Brahm. If you would like to hear the entire Dharma talk, you can find it here. Start at about minute … Continue reading →

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The Third Recollection

Posted on September 8, 2018 by EricKVanHorn

The Yaksa asked, “What is the most wonderful thing?” Yudhisthira Maharaj replied, “The most wonderful thing is that although everyday innumerable humans and their animals go to the abode of death, still a man thinks he is immortal.” – [Mahabharata, … Continue reading →

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Non-self

Posted on September 5, 2018 by EricKVanHorn

One of the most fascinating teachings of the Buddha is the one on anatta, non-self. Not surprisingly, it is enormously misunderstood. The Buddha was focused on one thing, and that is teaching us how to escape from dukkha (suffering/stress/unsatisfactoriness) and … Continue reading →

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