Letters to the Editor

I am grateful to Dale Wright for his article “Liberating the Experience of Impermanence” (Tricycle online, May 2026). It awoke me to a new understanding of impermanence. A relationship ended, one that I was still invested in. I was broken-hearted, held on to the “promise” of it, and suffered bad dreams for twenty-five years.

From reading this short explanation of impermanence, I can see that if I am able to let go, I have choices to explore relationships—especially family—through a different lens. And when that lens blurs, there will be another to take its place. There is great comfort in this.

Thank you.

–Janet Thomas 

I really appreciated “Your Partner Is Not Your Project” by nico hase (Tricycle online, April 2026). The framing of “the project” felt especially clear and honest to me, especially the recognition that the impulse to guide, improve, or quietly revise a partner is often, at root, an attempt to manage our own distress.

I read this from the experience of a long marriage in which my wife has struggled with addiction and the use of intoxicants as a way of coping. That adds another level of complexity, because the suffering is not only relational. It can be practical, repetitive, and deeply painful. But your piece helped me reflect on how easily care can become contraction, and how, subtly, the person we love can become a project in our own mind.

I found the distinction between presence and fixing especially helpful. It reminded me that releasing the project does not mean indifference or the absence of boundaries. It means seeing more clearly what is mine to hold and what is not.

I also found myself wishing more dharma-based writing existed on how to live skillfully with a partner’s addiction, not just from the perspective of the person struggling but also from the perspective of the person who loves them, is affected by them, and is trying to remain compassionate without becoming entangled.

–Mike Sullivan

I just want to say thank you for the Daily Dharma article that was shared on Mother’s Day, “No Zazen for the Birthday Girl” by Alexandra Cain (Tricycle online, February 2026). I only found time to read it today (with my kids at school), and it almost brought me to tears. I’ve never felt more seen while reading an article on Tricycle.

The author describes the way I’ve approached my Zen practice since my kids were born, over a decade ago, and the feeling of being left out of the dharma because most practices are so monastic that mothering puts them completely out of reach for years. And just as she describes it, caring is the dharma, though that seems to be overlooked most of the time.

Thank you for such a beautiful gift for Mother’s Day.

–Alina

Thank you for “The Birder’s Mind” by Georgia Good (Tricycle online, April 2026), a perfect piece. I just returned from the street corner, where I lingered after my son climbed into the bus. Every morning I stand and listen to find out who is around. Robins, goldfinches, chickadees this morning, and others whose names I don’t know. It’s a joyful and sacred momentary practice I do every morning. I note the birds, the progression of the season according to the trees. Their songs ground me in the here and now, and in my love for this world. Thank you for naming this. Many thanks for this sweet, wise, affirming piece, with its lovely and generous invitation.

–Heather Henry Rawlins

In this moment, when transgender women are demonized spiritually, morally, and politically, “Renunciation Without a Category” (Tricycle online and Summer 2026) by Amnuaypond Kidpromma, PhD, is a beautiful article! Trans upasika Ajarn Tritrinn is truly doing liberation work, and I’m inspired by her example. Like Taan Mae Tritrinn, I wrestle with exactly where I fit in. What place is there for trans women in the Tibetan Buddhist traditions I practice when many cis women struggle? I have no answers yet. Though I’m far less wise and accomplished than the Reverend Mother, with more stumbles than successes, more vices than virtues, her story encourages me to keep going. Trans women are an often spiritually neglected or outright excluded community. To remedy this, I’ve dreamt of starting dharma support groups, meditation circles, and sanctuaries for marginalized peoples like those described by the author, but I’ve been reluctant to initiate anything without the blessings and direction of a lineage master. I don’t wish to be an underqualified dharma student trying to support others when I can hardly guide myself. Maybe one day I’ll find the courage, training, and auspicious connections to follow the Reverend Mother’s sacred example, but until then, I gratefully hold Mae Tritrinn and her liberation work in my heart.

–Aerin Hodges

I really enjoyed the conversation between Andrew Holecek and James Shaheen (Tricycle Talks episode #148, “A Beginner’s Guide to Dark Retreat”). Such a lovely, friendly, exuberant, and lucid guest, who was so masterfully hosted that he probably could have quite happily continued for many hours. I somehow came upon this conversation after a rather long absence of listening to the show, and wanted to express some feedback and gratitude.

The guest was admittedly fabulous, but more importantly, the way the conversation was facilitated was so skillful, enabling the listeners to come along for the ride without getting overwhelmed. I think, otherwise, my brain would have been fried, as the guest was so bright, fast, and clear.

I was also impressed at how the host and guest retained warmth, friendliness, and also a certain sobriety—always mindfully audience-centric and thinking about where the listeners were with it all, as it would have been quite easy for me to have been pulled away into a sidetrack.

Thank you for continuing this wonderful endeavor and producing such important content. You are deeply appreciated.

–Sabera Chowdhury

In response to “Tibet House Cofounder and Academic Robert Thurman Has Died” (Tricycle online, June 2026):

Robert Thurman was a very great man, and a living, wild-eyed bodhisattva—a Bodhidharma of New York. He is now in the bardo he studied and explored so fully. I was deeply privileged to study with him here and there. It’s hard to believe he’s gone from this life; the shock of it is like an earthquake for Western Buddhism, as if a chasm has suddenly opened and ground is gone. Thank you, Bob Thurman, for the enormous amount you gave to the world. We’ll all be looking for wonderfully cockeyed rainbows as your body transitions.

 –Cherilyn Parsons

Bob Thurman is a tantric guru in my world. His voice was a song whose melody invited the mindstream to start dancing toward a better bliss. I’m so thankful that I’ve had the good grace to be alive while he was.

–Gavin B

Infinite gratitude to Robert Thurman, who was a living bodhisattva! Your enlightened activities benefited oceans of human and sentient beings.  There are living buddhas in this world, even if we struggle to see them. I bow at your feet.

–David Dietrich

Lama-La, Tenzin-La, will be greatly missed. He has always been a pillar in our community and a bridge between cultures. I was just with him last year for the Fifth Dalai Lama’s secret teachings in McLeod Ganj. And passing on the last day of Saga Dawa, how auspicious. May these seven weeks be seven seconds for your return, Lama-La.

–Tuchinam