Chapter 1-2

1. Do you see yourself as enjoying a fruit salad? How does being a “fruit salad” Christian

pose challenges?

2. How can we avoid being “bound to present views”? How does that fit with “living deeply

in our own tradition”?

3. How do you interpret what Jesus did when he went off alone away from everyone else?

4. How is being full of the Holy Spirit like being mindful?

5. What does it mean to you that the Spirit is in your every breath?

6. What breath prayers/breath meditations do you use?

 Chapters 3-4

1. When has your faith been called into question? What aspect of your faith led others to think you were in the wrong?

2. What helps you to embrace the presence of food and the experience of eating it?

3. What does the Eucharist or Communion mean to you?

4. Why is it so hard for us to accept the non-duality of Jesus as both fully human and fully divine?

5. When have you felt a seed within you blossom into flower?

6. What would you like people to know of your dharmakaya (body of teachings) when you are gone?

7. How do we confuse the specific teachings of Jesus with his underlying message?

8. What dharma doors can we open for the people that follow (pg 39)? What in your life opens a path for those who come after you?

9. Who are your spiritual ancestors and how are they meaningful to you?

10. How can we embody Jesus?

 Chapters 5-6

1. How are monasteries and convents different than churches in the outside world? What can we learn from them?

2. Buddhists cite three refuges Buddha, dharma, and sangha. What would it mean for us as Christians take refuge in Christ, the Christian way, and our local church?

3. In what way can you transform yourself to improve your local church?

4. How can you make Jesus’ presence real in our world today?

5. How can we heal the collective consciousness (pg 75-76)?

6. How can we pray for others whose needs are different from our own?

7. What can we do to heal the situation so everyone can get what they need?

8. How do you take action in the world without anger?

9. In what ways can you increase your love for your enemies? Who are your enemies?

10. How do you move beyond righteous anger against those who have wronged you?

 Chapters 7-8

1. Is having roots in multiple traditions strengthening or does it leave you directionless? How does this affect you?

2. Who are your spiritual ancestors?

3. How do your blood ancestors who have passed on help you stay grounded?

4. What are the jewels of Christianity that mean the most to you?

5. Which of the Five Precepts of Buddhism have the most potential for healing the ills of our society (pg 91)?

6. In what ways can the Fourth Precept strengthen the testimony of integrity (pg 100)?

7. What can the Fifth Precept teach us about simplicity (pg 105)?

8. How do the concept of sanctification in western Christianity (https://seminary.grace.edu/what-is-sanctification/) and the concept of deification in eastern Christianity (pg 123) compare? Which fits your understanding?

9. How does the story of Mrs. Ly relate to Matthew 7:21? How can you connect deeply with the Spirit?

10. Thich Nhat Hanh talks about creating a mini-Pure Land here on Earth (pg 127-128). What would it mean for the Kingdom of God to be made real in the life of our church?

11. How does regularly getting centered-down affect your response to a crisis?

Chapters 9-10

1. What do you believe about the afterlife?

2. Do you believe in an immortal soul separate from the body? What does this mean to you?

3. What would it mean for you to concentrate on Jesus’ teaching rather than his divinity?

4. How does speaking about God limit our understanding of God?

5. What is the difference between the Kingdom of God and the afterlife?

6. How does repeating prayers from our Jewish and Christian tradition enhance your prayer life?

7. How can you pray while living your life instead of only when you pause?

8. How does simplicity lead to spiritual growth?

9. What does it mean for you to rest in God?

10. How does knowing yourself lead to connection with God?

11. How has learning about Buddhism helped you connect more deeply with Christianity?