Jeremy David Engels
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jeremydavidengels.bsky.social
Jeremy David Engels
@jeremydavidengels.bsky.social
Professor of Democracy, Ethics, and Rhetoric + Mindfulness teacher and scholar + co-owner of Yoga Lab. Author of 6 books including On Mindful Democracy: A Declaration of Interdependence to Mend a Fractured World (Parallax 2026) and Living Namaste (2026).
Today is a good day to…

Take a mindful breath.
Feel the earth under your feet.
Be where you are.

As you breathe in, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing in.
As you breathe out, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing out.

Repeat as needed. And it will be needed repeatedly.
November 9, 2025 at 1:25 PM
It’s time for a day of mindfulness.

Today I’ll focus fully on whatever I’m doing while I’m doing it. I’ll remember to:

Breathe mindfully

Pay attention

Resist enemyship

Say a kind word

Drink my tea

Play a game

Cook a healthy meal

Go for a mindful walk

Smile

Not be “productive”
October 26, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Today is a good day to…

Take a mindful breath.
Feel the earth under your feet.
Be where you are.

As you breathe in, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing in.
As you breathe out, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing out.

Repeat as needed. And it will be needed repeatedly.
October 25, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Hi friends! This is little Vrtti cat. He lives food as much as I love democracy.
October 14, 2025 at 12:13 AM
Happy #caturday friends! Hope that tonight you find a bit of the peace that little Bodhicitta is feeling right now in front of the fire. In case you need it, sending a hug to you! #cats #mindfulness
October 12, 2025 at 12:29 AM
In Vietnam, there are myriad little lakes formed from bomb craters—in which lotus flowers grow. That image sticks with me. The Zen master and peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh taught, no mud, no lotus. Without the mud, the flower cannot grow. What will we grow from the mud we are collectively in?
October 11, 2025 at 1:04 AM
Happy #caturday friends! This is little Vrtti cat. He says the first rule of being a cat is do not obey in advance. He says this is also a good rule for people when dealing with authoritarians. Unless those authoritarians are cats. He insists you should obey #cats. Wanna be tyrants? Not so much.
September 20, 2025 at 9:53 PM
When a week feels like years,

Take a mindful breath.
Feel the earth under your feet.
Be where you are.

As you breathe in, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing in.
As you breathe out, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing out.

Repeat as needed. And it will be needed repeatedly.
September 19, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Today is the 80th anniversary of the bomb dropped on Hiroshima. It’s a great day for contemplation and to remember, in the words of the venerable Thich Nhat Hanh, that “there is no way to peace, peace is the way.”
August 6, 2025 at 1:36 PM
When a week feels like years,

Take a mindful breath.
Feel the earth under your feet.
Be where you are.

As you breathe in, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing in.
As you breathe out, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing out.

Repeat as needed. And it will be needed repeatedly.
August 1, 2025 at 11:24 PM
I'm publishing a book in Feb 2026, On Mindful Democracy: A Declaration of Interdependence to Mend a Fractured World with Parallax Press (started by the beloved Thich Nhat Hanh). I have a new Substack exploring interdependence—would love you to join me!

adeclarationofinterdependence.substack.com
July 22, 2025 at 10:47 PM
In Vietnam, there are myriad little lakes formed from bomb craters—in which lotus flowers grow. That image sticks with me. The Zen master and peace activist Thich Nhat Hanh taught, no mud, no lotus. Without the mud, the flower cannot grow. What will we grow from the mud we are collectively in?
July 21, 2025 at 2:37 PM
How are you doing dear friends?

Take a mindful breath.
Feel the earth under your feet.
Be where you are.

As you breathe in, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing in.
As you breathe out, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing out.

Repeat as needed, till you feel less overwhelmed.
July 11, 2025 at 10:37 PM
It used to be a civic tradition to give Fourth of July orations. If you were asked to give such a speech tomorrow—and it had to be an affirmative speech that outlined what you stand for and an inspirational speech that rallied people together and onward for the good—what would you say?
July 3, 2025 at 11:40 AM
Thanks for sharing this my friend! Hope everyone is doing well. Thinking today with the upcoming holiday of Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh—“there is no way to peace, peace is the way.”
July 3, 2025 at 11:37 AM
Thanks for sharing this my friend! Hope everyone is doing well. Thinking today of Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh—“there is no way to peace, peace is the way.”
June 22, 2025 at 6:36 PM
The Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh’s message is particularly relevant today—

There is no way to peace. Peace is the way.

#plumvillage
June 22, 2025 at 12:39 PM
Hi Maureen! Hope that you’re doing well my friend.
June 21, 2025 at 1:32 AM
Happy Summer Solstice! A good day to

Take a mindful breath.
Feel the earth under your feet.
Be where you are.

As you inhale, say to yourself, I am here.
As you exhale, say to yourself, I belong.

You belong, and I am glad you’re here!

(Sunrise from Thich Nhat Hanh’s deck at #plumvillage)
June 20, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Happy Summer Solstice! A good day to

Take a mindful breath.
Feel the earth under your feet.
Be where you are.

As you inhale, say to yourself, I am here.
As you exhale, say to yourself, I belong.

You belong, and I am glad you’re here!

(Sunrise from Thich Nhat Hanh’s deck at #plumvillage)
June 20, 2025 at 12:19 PM
Good morning friends, and thanks for the inspirational words Foxy! Together we are stronger than any obstacles we face. Take good care friends!
June 16, 2025 at 11:48 AM
Good morning democracy loving friends! It’s a good day to stand up for each other, and for the life we share. Thanks to everyone who is making your voice heard!
June 14, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Friends—I don’t care about the bluster of blowhards or wanna-be dictators. You belong, just as you are, and I’m glad you’re here.

The unity that suppresses community is not true unity. The oneness that denies diversity is not true oneness. The strength build on hate is not true strength.
#love
May 23, 2025 at 11:38 PM
When days feels like years,

Take a mindful breath.
Feel the earth under your feet.
Be where you are.

As you breathe in, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing in.
As you breathe out, say to yourself, I know that I am breathing out.

Repeat as needed. And it will be needed repeatedly.
May 21, 2025 at 12:49 PM
In dark and challenging times, I remember that there is still goodness in the world.

Right now I find hope in the fact that there are people out there, like you, who care, and who want to make the world a more just, welcoming, inclusive, and safe place. Thank you for all you do—a big hug to you!
May 9, 2025 at 12:37 PM