Never one to shout it from the rooftops
I’m a Buddhist.
Saying that doesn’t get me more street cred, make my mom love me more or get me first class seats on air flights. Never got me an extra scoop at Ben and Jerry’s, a seat at the adult’s table at family dinners or special discounts on rides at state fairs.
I’m not sure if you, dear reader are much like me in that you aren’t roaming the streets, knocking on doors at 8am to wake heathens from their slumber with the purpose to convert the ‘nonbelievers’.
I often feel that I should we are a t-shirt that says ‘Nobody knows I’m a Buddhist’. I’m pretty quiet about it in my circles at work and in my social life. It’s such a personal thing for me.
As part of my weekly Nalandabodhi group meetings, I sit with members of the sangha and it hits me how similar the dynamic is both in my dealings with the non-Buddhists in my life. There is no separation. There is still passion, aggression and compassion but that’s all par for the course.
I often have people remark to me how easygoing I am. The girl who sold me my cellphone said I was her favourite customer as I was so cheerful, precise and didn’t talk down to her. One of my clients confided that I always put him at ease and he felt that my stability brought him down to earth in stressful situations.
Nobody needs to know that I’m a Buddhist. They already do – - indirectly… 

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