Writing on the Edge: The Power of No – Buddhist Mindfulness and the Teaching of Composition

The First Mindfulness Training: Openness

Aware of the suffering created by fanaticism and intolerance, we are determined not to be idolatrous about or bound to any doctrine, theory, or ideology. (Hanh 23)

As I begin reading Shanee’s¹ paper, I find myself immediately feeling angry. “Why would she turn this in? What’s with this language?” I get my pen out and in blue ink I note the fragment:

Despite the many theories about Fraternal and Identical twins and what really distinguish these two groups of people.

I continue reading and I continue to feel frustrated. Why does she split the thought into two sentences? Next line:

I truly believe that there is know real distinction between the two other then there de nitions.

“How in the world could she have passed College Writing 101,” I consider, “and how could she have passed high school English?” I immediately feel lost, as if there is suddenly no ground to stand on. “What do I do?” I wonder. “Is this language significant? Do I need to pay attention to it?”