Category: Uncategorized

Life of Carmen, Politics & Activism, Uncategorized

My life in Surrey

I remember when I first heard about the massive highway-expansion project called Gateway, five years back. My immediate reaction was physical, a hot blush of outrage, like in the cartoons when the red flag is waved in front of the bull. I sputtered – “that’s…not…happening!” And i knew then and there that i could not …

Dorje LIng, Life of Carmen, Uncategorized, Zen & Dharma

Compassion Part 2: what Darla taught me

I was struggling with the notion of compassion. How, I wondered, does “may I be free of suffering” lead to compassion? I didn’t understand, how aspiring to alleviate my own suffering, could relieve the suffering of others. Then one day, as I was sitting up by the Buddha on the hill, a lovely mutt with …

Life of Carmen, Uncategorized, Zen & Dharma

Compassion Part 1: mean people are unhappy people

I once took a ride to Burning Man with a guy named Jake. Jake had rented a gigantic RV and was looking for people to offset the cost of the trip. I joined on, with three other women along for the ride. We rumbled off toward Black Rock City in good spirits, but Jake soon …