Demons kidnap Ariel’s mother. She didn’t know they existed until she saw one drag her mother into a hole in the ground. The shock jolts her from her normal reality. Ariel becomes aware of the power of negative emotions—represented by the demons—to trap us. And so the story begins with the same realisation as individuals taking their first step on the path towards enlightenment. In Buddhism, Mothers represent unconditional love because traditionally they love us regardless of what we do, and so we naturally love them back. We care about them, and we respect them because of everything they have done for us. And because we all have had many lives, everyone has, at some time or other, been our beloved mother. Thinking that everyone has been our mother makes it is easier for us to consider all beings with love, to care about them and want to keep them from suffering, to rejoice when they are happy and to see everyone as equal. Ariel’s compassion arises naturally when her mother is … [Read more...]
Review: The Reunion by Dan Walsh
Title: The Reunion Author: Dan Walsh Publisher: Revell Books Genre: Contemporary fiction I loved this book. It was incredibly inspiring and brought tears of joy at the end. I was impressed by the depth of feeling and skill in the writing, and also by the depth of generosity of the men with the money. Essentially this book honours the unsung heroes of Vietnam, those who died, those who fought, those who were injured and those who saved other people’s lives and were decorated for it. Aaron Miller is one of those honoured for his heroism, but he now lives in near obscurity, working as a handyman in a humble trailer park. After the war, he became addicted to the painkillers he was given for his injures and his life spiralled downwards. He lost his wife, his family and ended up living on the streets, until he had an epiphany and turned to the church. With God’s support he turns his life around, but his wife still doesn’t want anything to do with him. Though estranged from his adult … [Read more...]
