Kellie Schorr works as a commissioned novelist who writes mystery genre novels for traditional publishers. Her published credentials also include: journal articles, short stories, and a two-year stint writing for a web-comic. Kellie’s fiction is represented by the Kathryn Green Literary Agency. Kellie has been practicing meditation for nearly 20 years. Her practice is housed in the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism. She is currently studying Vajrayana and Dzogchen as a member of the Buddhist Yogis Sangha from Ngapka International. She lives and works in rural Virginia with her partner, Cathy, and three beagles. Her favorite word is chiaroscuro. You can contact or find more about her at The Bottom Line.
Jesus Washed Feet: What A Superbowl Ad Can Really Teach Us
By Kellie Schorr I don’t have many boy crushes but Arnold Schwarzenegger in the winter of his life is one of them. So it was no surprise when my “Top Commercial of the Superbowl” vote went to State Farm’s Like a Good Neighbaaa. One that didn’t make my list was...
Secret Agent Swift? The Suffering Of Conspiracy Theorists
As Sports Illustrated pointed out from a data perspective—in the AFC Championship game, a broadcast that lasted three hours and nine minutes, Taylor Swift was shown seven times, for a total of—44 seconds. That’s hardly “domination.”
Why are Spiritual Communities so Mean?
In a world where war, chaos and fear swirl around on the daily, it’s natural for people to look for respite in groups that are uplifting, hopeful and full of light and spirit. When those groups fail to live up to their stated goals, it can be disheartening and even harmful.
Bud Light, Barbie, and Bathrooms: Harvesting Compassion out of Rage
By Kellie Schorr “You have to understand these were tumultuous times.” Watching a documentary about the national hysteria following the Manson murders, that was the explanation given. It was the time of Vietnam, social unrest between the establishment and the...
The Rainbow Connection: Pride (and Prejudice) On the Path
By Kellie Schorr On a Saturday in June 2005, the sun had no mercy. Neither did the police. Neither did the Baptists. Although sunrise was a pleasant 73 degrees, by 10:00 AM when the parade was supposed to start it was 90 degrees. I stood there on the boiling...
The Dark Sacred Night: Finding Meaning in the Monsters of Halloween
By Kellie Schorr “I see skies of blue And clouds of white The bright blessed day The dark sacred night And I think to myself What a wonderful world” As a child, Halloween meant two things to me: Costumes and Candy. I was ambivalent about costumes. I was...
Forever Autumn: How We Live is How We Die by Pema Chodron {Book Review}
By Kellie Schorr ‘When the appearances of this life dissolve, May I, with ease and great happiness, Let go of all attachments to this life As a son or daughter returning home.” Dzigar Kongtrul Rinpoche as quoted by Pema Chodron How We Live is How We Die....
The False Grail: Indiana Jones and the Lost Simplicity
By Kellie Schorr I was 15 years old the summer I met Indiana Jones---the most rugged, confident, daring and whip-skilled archeology professor in all the world. To young me, “Raiders of the Ark” was a revelation. The movie gave me an appreciation for action...
The Howl of Wolves: Empathetic Dharma in “The Heroic Heart: Awakening Unbound Compassion” by Jetsunma Tenzin Palmo {Review}
By Kellie Schorr “When I was living up in the mountains in Lahaul, there was a pack of wolves that looked like large German shepherds with yellow eyes…At night they would gather above my cave and howl. It is very beautiful, the howl of wolves.” The Heroic...
Stand-up, Slaps, and Suffering: What’s Wrong Got to Do with It?
By Kellie Schorr As a teen in the early 80’s in El Paso, I loved to go to restaurant named Springfire that was a favorite of college kids and high schoolers with permissive parents. It featured great barbeque, a well-stocked bar, and offered stand-up comedy...
Bodhi has Five Letters: What Your Wordle Score Doesn’t Tell Us
By Kellie Schorr *Author’s Note: This article is not about any particular person or the habit of posting your wordle score. There is no judgement of people who play/people who don’t/people who post scores. Get all...
Slow is a Speed: Three Great Places to Take Off Your Red Shoes
By Kellie Schorr When I was a child, legends, parables, conventional wisdom, old wives’ tales---whatever you want to call them---had nothing on the...
You’ll Be Fine Once You Get There: Having Tea With 2022.
By Kellie Schorr I looked forward to going to my friend’s house for dinner. I said yes, found a time that worked for us, and responded with a hearty “can’t wait to see you!” I said it. I meant it. I put a star on my calendar and picked my clothes....
The Little Drummer Boy: Mantras Amidst the Mayhem
By Kellie Schorr At an ecumenical retreat, I was sitting with a number of teachers and leaders from many religions, ethnicities, and backgrounds. We had spent the day learning how to communicate across differences and retreated that night to a fire pit...
Joy to the World: Guilt-Free Happiness for the Holiday
By Kellie Schorr Have Yourself a Merry Dharma Christmas is a series written for the holiday season combining the ever-present songs of the season with a little holiday dharma. ~ “What right have you to be merry? You’re poor enough.” Charles Dickens, A...