Shared Silence

Reflections on Buddhism, Sobriety, and Marriage

Hillside Community Church in Medford, Massachusetts

To hear the related 5-minute audio file that I uploaded today as my Morning Journal flash briefing for Alexa devices, please click on the play button:

Last night Darlene joined me at a church in Medford, Mass., for a gathering inspired by Buddhism & The Twelve Steps Workbook by Kevin Griffin.

There were about 25 of us in a circle and five others on Zoom. We heard how Griffin’s book and teaching explore the intersection of Buddhism and AA’s 12-step program of recovery.

Before leaving, we sat in silence for about five minutes.

Those moments of collective presence left me intrigued. I plan to attend the second meeting in two weeks. After that I may join from Florida as one of the Zoomers.

In 40 years of marriage, Darlene’s and my spiritual journeys have been more complementary than the same. Sitting next to her last night and talking quietly about what we had heard on the ride to our hotel was a real gift.

I don’t know where this will lead. We were invited to proceed with curiosity and kindness.

The journey is well begun.