Author: Jessica Davidson

Astrologer, Mystic, Writer, Zen Buddhist, and Trainee Human.
Adventures of a Reluctant Mystic
Addled

Adventures of a Reluctant Mystic

Jessica Davidson2 Comments

Addled: Adventures of a Reluctant Mystic is my forthcoming novel about a modern mystic called Zoe Popper. It follows the ups and downs of awakening, and explores the difficulties of the spiritual path in a post-modern world. Addled is a love story for our cynical times, and includes everything from music and cookery to cleaning,… Continue reading Adventures of a Reluctant Mystic

Spiritual Glossary: Satori
Awakening · Buddhism · Spirituality

Spiritual Glossary: Satori

Jessica Davidson

Satori is the Japanese term used in Zen Buddhism to refer to awakening and the realisation of the true nature of the self, or Buddha nature. It is sometimes also called Kensho, where ken means ‘seeing’ and sho means ‘nature’ or ‘essence’. Kensho is generally understood to be your first experience of realisation and is often a tiny glimpse of Buddha… Continue reading Spiritual Glossary: Satori

Spiritual Glossary: Buddha Nature
Buddhism · Spirituality

Spiritual Glossary: Buddha Nature

Jessica Davidson

Buddha nature is your true nature. This may be hard to believe at times, but even a tiny glimpse of reality during awakening will reveal the truth of it. Enlightenment reveals the true nature of all beings as Buddha nature. It’s also called Buddha-dhātu, which means ‘Buddha Element’ or ‘Buddha Principle.’ This is the seed… Continue reading Spiritual Glossary: Buddha Nature

Radical Passion: Book Review
Book Reviews · Mysticism

Radical Passion: Book Review

Jessica Davidson

This is a book to feast on, and then act upon. It pulls together a collection of Andrew Harvey’s previously published works and new interviews, and channels them into an argument for Sacred Activism. Building from his last book The Hope, Sacred Activism combines the mystic’s vision of unity and compassion with the activist’s passion for… Continue reading Radical Passion: Book Review

The Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching: Book Review
Book Reviews · Buddhism

The Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching: Book Review

Jessica Davidson2 Comments

“To make hell into paradise, we need only change the mind on which it is based…” Classic and essential, The Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching provides everything you need to study the dharma. The subtitle reads: “Transforming suffering into peace, joy and liberation.” In the book, Thich Nhat Hanh explains the basic teachings in a clear and… Continue reading The Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching: Book Review

Zen Flesh, Zen Bones: Book Review
Book Reviews · Buddhism

Zen Flesh, Zen Bones: Book Review

Jessica Davidson

Zen Flesh, Zen Bones is a collection of stories, parables and utterances designed to inspire and teach the dharma. The stories were collected together by Paul Reps who says of the book: “Old Zen was so fresh it became treasured and remembered. Here are fragments of its skin, flesh, bones, but not its marrow –… Continue reading Zen Flesh, Zen Bones: Book Review

Spiritual Glossary: Three Marks of Existence
Buddhism · Spirituality

Spiritual Glossary: Three Marks of Existence

Jessica Davidson

The Marks of Existence are the characteristics shared by all beings and are the basic facts of life: anicca (impermanence) anatta (non-self) dukkha (suffering) Impermanence Everything that exists is impermanent. All things are in a constant state of change, even things which seem fairly solid and immovable, like a mountain. Entropy is a fact of… Continue reading Spiritual Glossary: Three Marks of Existence