Still, in the City

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

The instructions offered here for exploring mindfulness in and around our cities are written to be accessible, whether you’ve practiced a lot or a little. Perhaps you’ve returned home from a retreat and want to hold the attention and intention gained from pausing and experiencing the silence. Or perhaps you practice mindfulness and don’t call it Buddhism, or you are just curious about what mindfulness is all about. Still, in the City will speak to you.

Practicing in the city comes with its own set of challenges and opportunities, and this book is attuned to both, offering guidance by teachers who see mindfulness not only as an intention for self-acceptance and relief of stress, but also as awareness that leads to dissatisfaction and that inspires our desire for deeper understanding and change. Dedicated to using their practice to make a difference not only in their own lives but also those of others, the authors speak of their involvement with their cities’ diverse communities, and their experience belies the notion that western Buddhists are of an age and race and class.

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, everywhere and for all.

The teachers who contributed to this volume are Margo McLoughlin, Sebene Selassie, Gary Singer, Harrison Blum, Alex Haley, Wildecy de Fatima Jury, Eve Decker, Alice Alldredge, nakawe cuebas, Tracy Cochran, Bart van Melik, Joshua Bee Alafia (Jbee), Diana Gould, Paul Irving, Nancy Glimm, Ellen Furnari, Nobantu Mpotulo, JD Doyle, Rachel Lewis, Rosemary Blake, Pamela Ayo Yetunde, Tuere Sala, Walt Opie, and Diane Wilde.

Angela Dews found the dharma in 1996 on retreat from politics, journalism, and government and is certified as a Community Dharma Leader by the Spirit Rock Meditation Center. She invited two dozen of her fellow CDL teachers to practice the story-telling teaching tradition of the Buddha. Their stories and their experience belies the notion that western Buddhists are of an age and race and class. They are: Margo McLoughlin, Sebene Selassie, Gary Singer, Harrison Blum, Alex Haley, Wildecy de Fatima Jury, Eve Decker, Alice Alldredge, nakawe cuebas, Tracy Cochran, Bart van Melik, Joshua Bee Alafia (Jbee), Diana Gould, Paul Irving, Nancy Glimm, Ellen Furnari, Nobantu Mpotulo, JD Doyle, Rachel Lewis, Rosemary Blake, Pamela Ayo Yetunde, Tuere Sala, Walt Opie, and Diane Wilde.

“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…. 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, CA and Insight Retreat Center in Santa Cruz, CA

“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

“What you are offering here will be a great refuge to urban meditators…. To me your book establishes an apt metaphor for finding [the] quiet within the storm. We can’t make everyone else bow to our wishes for stillness. But we don’t need to. The inner quiet is much more accessible and practical anyway.”
—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