I met author and meditation instructor Susan Kaiser-Greenland when she visited the Middle Way School a few years ago with Justin Kelley of Tergar Schools. The two of them were embarking on a similar journey, looking for ways to systematize a Buddhist education for children in this modern world. I have felt a huge warmth toward her and from her from the beginning, there is not territorialness, just a very open hearted wish for us all to succeed.
We met again on a hilltop in Nepal at Mingyur Rinpoche’s innovative Tergar School (click this link!) where Susan was leading mindfulness practices with a group of monks. They were having a ball, in more ways than one (see below) I was swept up in the charm of the moment and also learned so much in a short period of time just watching Susan in action.
Susan kindly featured my little book in the “Shout Out” section of her website. I vividly remember having a deep conversation with her colleague Liza Frenette during a break from the Dzo Dun teachings in Bir, India. Or maybe I just talked a lot and Liza was an incredible listener. Our hour-long conversation was boiled down into a very short Q&A here.
Susan’s books Mindful Child and Mindful Games are a must have for anyone working with children. I also have her deck of cards for Mindful Games Activity Cards, which are so good to have in the classroom. Any of you rare unicorns who are Buddhists and elementary school teachers, please get a deck! And her new book is Real World Enlightenment is so good. Her way of translating big ideas like enlightenment into practical terms is needed in the modern world and she really delivers. A very good introductory book for new Buddhists or Buddhist adjacents, or for Buddhists who want a reset grounded in practical realities. Here is a 1 minute video taste of what she offers.
