Angela Dews - Still, in the City: Creating Peace of Mind in the Midst of Urban Chaos

Advance Praise for Still, in the City

Still, in The City is an amazing collection of Dharma practice stories, narratives of the messiness of the present moment and opening to freedom of heart and mind right there in the midst of it. They are lessons learned about how mindfulness practice is both the same and yet different because of where it is practiced; not better, but different. Each author inspires with their willingness to keep trying no matter the confusion they initially face; their willingness to keep working with things long enough to enable wisdom to arise is the gift they offer to the reader.

Sharon Salzberg, author of Lovingkindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness

Mindfulness and Compassion practice in daily life? Still, in the City has many thoughtful and inspiring essays by Dharma practitioners and teachers, all ways to bring the teachings alive just where you are.

Jack Kornfield, author of A Path with Heart

This is a book for those whose spiritual practice lives in the fierce light of day. As a New Yorker, a collection of authentic, personal expressions like these are critical. They are stories of unflinching intimacy that expand the temple, meditation hall, and sangha to the streets, subway cars, and communities of our predominantly urban lives. The heart of this book moves with the hearts of all beings, conveying a sacred dignity in our everyday circumstances and struggles. Still, in the City is as critical for beginners interested in exploring mindfulness practice as it is for those devoted to the justice, equity, and love of a fully expressed Buddhadharma.

Greg Snyder, Senior Director & Associate Professor of Buddhist Studies, Union Theological Seminary, Dharma Teacher & Senior Priest, Brooklyn Zen Center

Still, in the City is an insightful collection of practical wisdom bathed in the heart of the dharma . These seasoned practitioners invite us into deeper presence, understanding, and intimacy with the simplicity and complexity of our day-to-day lives, regardless of our surroundings or circumstances. We need this book to better understand our lives and our belonging. A must read and must share offering that reveals the healing power of wise awareness.

Ruth King, author of Mindful of Race: Transforming Racism from the Inside Out

This book could be titled Buddhism Made Real because the authors describe their firsthand experience of practicing Buddhism in the fullness and the complexity of modern life. The book is inspiring and heartwarming.

Gil Fronsdal, co-teacher at the Insight Meditation Center in Redwood City, California and Insight Retreat Center in Santa Cruz, California

Still, in the City is a perfect book for the modern Buddhist reader. Underpinned with deep dharma , it presents engaging tools for living in the realm of samsara from a wise, compassionate, and diverse group of teachers and senior practitioners. Taking wisdom to the streets, they help keep these ancient teachings alive in our troubled world.

Kevin Griffin, author of One Breath at a Time: Buddhism and the Twelve Steps and Living Kindness: Buddhist Teachings for a Troubled World

I am so excited about [this] book. What you are offering here will be a great refuge to urban meditators. At one point in my own practice I asked myself, What are you doing here? Are you seeking to quiet the storm? Or are you trying to find the quiet within the storm? Until I posed that question I hadnt given full weight to the power of the inner quiet. When we can develop that, we can manage the storm. To me [this] book establishes an apt metaphor for finding that quiet within the storm. We cant make everyone else bow to our wishes for stillness. But we dont need to. The inner quiet is much more accessible and practical anyway. So good on you for helping that along! Congratulations!

Gloria Taraniya, Ambrosia, Barre Center for Buddhist Studies

Both practical and poetic, Still, in the City provides enormously helpful advice on how to undertake serious dharma practice where the vast majority of us actually live. This is a beautiful, rich anthology that fills a critical gap in the literature.

Sumi Loundon Kim, Yale University, author of Sitting Together: A Family-Centered Curriculum on Mindfulness, Meditation, and Buddhist Teachings

Copyright 2018 by Angela Dews

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without the express written consent of the publisher, except in the case of brief excerpts in critical reviews or articles. All inquiries should be addressed to Skyhorse Publishing, 307 West 36th Street, 11th Floor, New York, NY 10018.

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available on file.

Cover design by Rain Saukas

Print ISBN: 978-1-5107-3233-9

Ebook ISBN: 978-1-5107-3234-6

Printed in the United States of America

Still, in the City is a collection of stories about the fierce practice of urban Buddhismwhen a New York City subway becomes a mobile temple, when Los Angeles traffic becomes a vehicle for awakening, when a Fifth Avenue sidewalk becomes a gauntlet through craving, generosity, and sorrow.

Two dozen Buddhist teachers offer stories that are accessible, whether youve practiced a lot or a littleor are curious or maybe even cynical.

The authors represent a particular commitment to expanding access to the teachings for diverse communities. And our very presence on our cushions belies the notion that western Buddhists are of an age and race and class.

We have been asked not how to meditate, but why, by a neighbor who says the world is on fire and a friend whose work is seemingly holding up as much of that world as he can touch. We answer: there is amazing clarity in stillness, and the opportunity for a skillful response, rather than a reaction, even to injustice. And there is the possibility of equanimity and of freedom.

These are our stories in our own language in our own time.

With appreciation to Peg Moran for first draft editing and flow of Still .

CONTENTS

Like all great teachers and poets, the Buddha knew the value of a good metaphor.

We all came from the wilderness. We all belong to it. And to each other.

There is a word that describes the way we are together in the City.

How can mindfulness be an ally to the oppressed and not just a relaxation fad for the privileged?

Can discipline and routine still offer a path to greater freedom with what is happening?

In Brazil, Fatima more intentionally has had to cultivate practice in the midst of actionboth action that happens in society and the deeply felt, life-changing action that happens in the heart.

May all beings be free. Free from suffering, and free from the delusion of not good enough.

Deeply examining our perceptions is an important part of the path to tranquility and peace, no matter what our surroundings.

nakawe can savor the pleasant, even knowing its built on impermanence, and be present with the unpleasant, knowing its changingthis too shall pass.

The streets of New York are what Tracy imagines the Ganges to bea holy river.