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FACE TO FACE | EASTERN HORIZON 33

Margaret is a dynamic speaker To me, this seems like a true case degree. All of this came together,
who combines inspiration, of karma. During my childhood, I and the end result was a Ph.D. in
common sense, and a dash of had no exposure to Buddhism. Yet Religious Studies, with an emphasis
humor. somehow, as an adult, I was pulled in Buddhist Studies, focusing on
toward Buddhism, and felt an compassion in early Buddhism.
Margaret responds to several instant connection. And the good
questions that Benny Liow news, was that when that occurred, You regard yourself as an
advocate of Death Dhamma
asked regarding how she came Buddhism had grown significantly
within the United States, and which is the practice of inviting
to practice Buddhism, develop
specifically in Southern California, an awareness of death into
a healthy sense of death, and providing me access to many one’s life. As humans generally
the relevance of mindfulness in teachers and traditions. do not entertain the idea of
today’s modern life. contemplating their own death
As a successful businesswoman because of our biological survival
Benny: Can you share with with a MBA, what made you instinct, how can we begin to be
us what brought you to be choose to study for a Ph.D. in more aware of death?
interested in Buddhism? Buddhism, and what’s your area
of specialization? Start small. You do not have to
Margaret: I never felt at home with immediately go right to, “I am
my family’s religion. I was always Moving from an MBA to a Ph.D. going to die!” Although some of you
that kid who would ask the question in Buddhism was certainly not might. Many of us, can benefit from
that a kid was not supposed to ask. in any career guide that I ever truly reflecting upon the truth that
From an early age, I also had a belief read. This path represents the there is suffering and the source
in rebirth. There was no place for integration of my desire to work of that suffering. Wanting things,
this in the Catholic catechism. toward an advanced degree and an people, and outcomes. And also,
understanding that an advanced from not wanting other things, or
When I left home at the age of degree within my field of work people, or outcomes. Now consider
nineteen, I left the church. I would (Project Management education), impermanence. Things are always
attend Easter and Christmas services was not a requirement. Knowing, changing. And the more we hang
with my parents. But I became that it would take significant on to perceptions of how things
comfortable being an agnostic. effort, I spent quite a bit of time must be, the more difficult our lives
My late husband, Ed and I came contemplating what kept me become. You can start by looking at
together as a former Jew, and a intrigued? What would keep my your plans for the day. Sometimes
former Catholic, both non-believers concentration and motivation things go exactly as you imagined,
who became Buddhists together. I during challenging times? and other times the entire day
do not really recall how I became Additionally, an underlying theme is a disaster. Or is it? When our
more fully aware of Buddhism, but within my own work was the human plans fall apart, we are presented
during one of our bookstore visits, side of business interactions. A with an opportunity to embrace
I purchased a copy of Buddhism true desire to see people bring impermanence.

for Dummies. This basic overview compassion to the workplace – no
really resonated with me. And matter where they found their Those broken plans are a
when I learned about the Four source of compassion. There I representation of death. Something
Noble Truths, I knew I had found was, seeking to understand the you relied upon goes away. An
my belief-system. Now, it became different Buddhist traditions, assumption becomes invalid,
about learning about the different finding my place as a Buddhist, a cherished thing breaks, a
Buddhist traditions, and spending being a bit of an analytical thinker, relationship ends. Pay attention to
some time with each to find a home. and wanting to pursue an advanced your emotions as you watch your