Thank you so much for your talk on Ted.com where I “discovered” you, for the courage to lead the life you are leading, and for this website which gives me an opportunity to contact you.

Although I am not a van dweller, I went forth into homelessness also about a month ago. The desire to do this comes out of my Buddhist practice and my frustration with Western Buddhism which seems to deny that the Buddha told his disciples to go forth as a basic part of the true path. Now, I'm not saying we all have to go live under a tree like the Buddha did, but I do think we need to understand why he felt it was so important and find a way to honor the wisdom he imparted by asking us to do this.

So, my version of homelessness was to give up my job, rent out my house and consider every blessing I still have as a gift of life to be dedicated to the betterment of the world. As a consequence, I have found nothing but added blessings. What I discovered when I “gave up” these material possessions and stopped considering them “mine”, was that the real benefits of my life are not financial beyond their ability to provide the basics or “requisites” as the Buddha would call them. What continues to give me joy is my freedom, my friends, the food I eat, the earth and sky I depend on to sustain me physically and spiritually . . . you get the picture. Money can't buy you happiness; it never did. Money helps you provide the things you need to stay alive, and rest you cultivate through your creative engagement with life.

I believe you are doing something very important with your life. You are rediscovering the positive meaning of homelessness that our culture has totally destroyed.

God bless you.

Love, Melissa (Page)