David Jones is a retiree after an enjoyable 35-year career with the American government. Diagnosed with an anxiety disorder, he works through things by sitting with the breath and other meditation techniques. David writes about mental health and enjoys exploring the intersection of Abrahamic religion and Buddhist teachings. Scary movies, reading, writing and helping folks as they walk along their paths are among his most favorite things. He dearly loves his wife, their five children, and all their grandchildren. And yes, he’s aware that he’s weird.
A Christian Looks at the Abortion Debate
By David Jones I was moved to write this companion piece to a recent TTB article about Buddhist views on abortion.Abortion is one of several taboo subjects these days being dragged, kicking and screaming, into public discourse. It makes folks uneasy, just...
So, How Do You Keep All Those Thoughts Out of Your Brain During Meditation?
By David Jones Yesterday a co-worker and I were talking about coping with life's stuff. She said "I started meditating, but I'm no good at it." "Why do you think you're no good at it?" "Because I can't sit and concentrate for very...
Flocks are Done Being Abused: The Power of the Veil of Secrecy in Religion
The veil of secrecy is a strong weapon in the power abuser’s arsenal, and it’s used time and again.
How to Stay Mindful During a Government Shutdown
By David Jones The American government is shut down again, but this time it's really dragging out.As federal employees either sit at home without getting paid, or spend gas and resources going to work without getting paid, they are struggling with far...
A Christian Writing with Buddhists: How I am Here and What it Means to be Noble-Minded
By David Jones So why is a Christian writing articles for a Buddhist site? It may not seem intuitive to most folks, but it's perfectly natural for me. When I joined my first church, I learned to give sermons, and I fell in love with it....
What is Hanukkah and Did Oil Really Last 8 Days?
By David Jones Hanukkah is called The Festival of Lights, and has a lot of traditional holiday trappings---the menorah candelabra, the presents, the whole emphasis on light and cultural pride. But man, it took awhile to get there. The...
Is Yoga Demonic? A Response to the Megachurch Sermon:
By David Jones How would you feel personally if someone told you something you did for your health was actually really bad for you? That was the message a pastor at an Assembly of God church had for members of his congregation who...
The Skeptic: Are You Suspicious of Happiness?
By David Jones Have you ever been suspicious of feeling happy? Do you have anxiety because things are going good for you at the moment? When something good happens do you slide into the dread of waiting for the inevitable bad thing that's going to...
We Can No Longer Be Silent About the Things That Matter
By David Jones One of history’s habits is to soften the edges of people and events. Except for Hitler and a few others, we prefer it if our historical figures weren't yelling at us. That's an injustice to those who shaped history....