Books to read by Thich Nhat Hanh In these turbulent times, I find myself searching for ways to become engaged and help people in my community. It is easy to get overwhelmed by the amount of suffering in the world–it can even be paralyzing at times. One of my favorite spiritual authors, Thich Nhat Hanh,Continue reading “Books on Mindful Activism”
Author Archives: Spriha Dharan
Mindful Movement
There is nothing I love more than my ritualistic morning walk outdoors. I make it a point to avoid screens and other distractions, opting to walk in silence, or with my favorite meditation playing in the background. My morning walk is a gift to myself: the quiet of the morning breeds creativity, calm, and allowsContinue reading “Mindful Movement”
Harnessing Your Inner Child
I fondly recall the lazy summers which consisted of my sister and I brewing elaborate potions on the back porch of our house. My mother would come home to the stench of grass, rhodedendron leaves, and rain water, all mashed up into a mystery concoction that we professed was magical. Though it seems foolish now,Continue reading “Harnessing Your Inner Child”
Meditation & Neuroplasticity
I’m sure we’ve all heard of the infinite benefits of sitting down just 10-15 minutes a day and learning to meditate. I have always aspired to be the person who can sit for long periods of time in extended silence, but constantly swarming thoughts; endless to-do lists; and distracting environments once dissuaded me from practicing meditation. Continue reading “Meditation & Neuroplasticity”
Drinking Your Morning Tea Mindfully
This morning, I woke up, and as I always do every morning, I made my bed, brushed my teeth, and stepped outside. For me, my morning routine consists of going for a 10-15 minute walk around the block, soaking in as much sunlight as I can, and truly trying to be present with my naturalContinue reading “Drinking Your Morning Tea Mindfully”
A Conversation With the Rain
The rain asks me what my favorite poem is. I stand on the back porch, a landslide of mud in my wake. “What gets you through a crisis? What stills your ship on rocky waters? What holds you as you fall apart, break, turn to shambles? What is it?” He licks his lips and saysContinue reading “A Conversation With the Rain”
(Masala) Chai
On Reclaiming the Voice (and Spice) of the Indian Collective I remember being eight years old, and eating my lunch under the table because I was embarrassed about the healthy Indian meal my mother had cooked for me. Despite not being tangibly othered, I had internalized a narrative about the food of my culture thatContinue reading “(Masala) Chai”
It’s my 19th birthday…
It’s my nineteenth birthday and I’m thinking about how I’ve never kissed a boy, or gotten drunk, or high—which is something that is normalized, but something I have no interest in. My sister says I need to “live a little more” but I wonder why we define living by the breadth of our experiences, insteadContinue reading “It’s my 19th birthday…”
I walked out at 6:50 am and…
Everything was closed. Except this one coffee shop Scanned the menu for the cheapest most bitter Thing I could find “Macchiato” The word was out of my lips before I could think. $4.36 The barista made fun of me for my order I think She was looking for a middle aged white man Did aContinue reading “I walked out at 6:50 am and…”
The Sage Arrives Without Leaving:
The sage arrives without leaving:His feet carve tiny divots into the earthHis muscles ripple like a riverAnd his arms and legs are smooth and sturdyLike a banyan tree.He tells me stories with closed eyes and unmoving lipsWhy am I here? I ask him. He answers with silence. The sage arrives without leavingI exhume him fromContinue reading “The Sage Arrives Without Leaving:”
