With apologies to Buddhist author George Saunders, this title came to me as I was reflecting on the recent American midterm elections and their implications for the practice of democracy, interdependence, and what it means to inhabit the gap between past and future without grasping onto habitual projections. What just happened? Where do we go from here? Enjoy this special episode of The Road Home podcast.

(Last year, with your subscriptions, we were able to release more episodes than any previous year. This was only possible with your support. Please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber here.)

(This and all episodes available wherever you get your "pods," Apple, Ethan's Website, Substack and every other pod place).

Thinking of joining us for the Yearlong Buddhist Studies program next year? You can join in 2027 on Tuesday evenings for the first Yearlong Buddhist Studies Course or you can join the Advanced Buddhist Studies Group on Wednesdays.

Paid subscribers to The Road Home will receive occasional extras like guided meditations, extra podcast episodes and more! The Thursday Meditation Group happens each week at 8am ET on Thursdays, and guided audio meditations are released monthly. Another bonus podcast for paid subscribers discussed the obstacle of resistance to meditation practice, and Ethan also offered instruction in Metta meditation toward yourself. These are all available to paid subscribers. You can also subscribe to The Road Home podcast wherever you get your pods (Apple, Ethan's Website, etc).

You can now order personally signed copies of Ethan's books at his website.

You can also subscribe to The Road Home podcast wherever you get your pods (Apple, Ethan's Website, Substack and every other pod place).

Image of the Hungry Ghost realm via Lions Roar magazine.

On the latest episode of The Road Home podcast, I talk about classic Buddhist teachings that remind us about the basic facts of life, and go over a recent conversation I had with my 9-year-old daughter about her interest in—and aversion to—to the truth of death. Using a classic list called the Five Remembrances, we discuss how to shift our relationship to the truth of impermanence in a more positive (dare I even say, happier?) direction while keeping in mind, in the words of one Buddhist teacher, that "You can't attend your own funeral."

(Last year, with your subscriptions, we were able to release more episodes than any previous year. This was only possible with your support. Please consider becoming a free or paid subscriber here.)

(This and all episodes available wherever you get your "pods," Apple, Ethan's Website, Substack and every other pod place).

Here is the link to the text of the Five Remembrances as translated by Thich Nhat Hanh.

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Thinking of joining us for the Yearlong Buddhist Studies program next year? Sign up free for this evening discussion of the program and why it might be Time to Go Deeper: Why The Dharma Matters Now. You can join in 2027 on Tuesday evenings for the first Yearlong Buddhist Studies Course or you can join the Advanced Buddhist Studies Group on Wednesdays.

Paid subscribers to The Road Home will receive occasional extras like guided meditations, extra podcast episodes and more! The Thursday Meditation Group happens each week at 8am ET on Thursdays, and guided audio meditations are released monthly. Another bonus podcast for paid subscribers discussed the obstacle of resistance to meditation practice, and Ethan also offered instruction in Metta meditation toward yourself. These are all available to paid subscribers. You can also subscribe to The Road Home podcast wherever you get your pods (Apple, Ethan's Website, etc).

You can now order personally signed copies of Ethan's books at his website.

You can also subscribe to The Road Home podcast wherever you get your pods (Apple, Ethan's Website, Substack and every other pod place).