When Meikle Paschal began writing down the experiences of his life, he did not know there would be a transcendental common theme connecting the events. After a closer examination, he realized his life had been threaded together through Buddhism.In Paschal’s new book, "Black Buddhist," he examines how his transformation from Catholicism to Buddhism shaped his life. On Thursday, May 30, the Lexington resident will discuss hismost recent book at Cary Memorial Library, 1874 Massachusetts Ave. at 7 p.m.Paschal spoke to The Minuteman about his experiences as an author and as a Buddhist.How did you find that you were interested in writing stories?I’ve always written well, all the way through school. And I’ve always been full of stories, some more robust than others.While in the classroom – I used to teach in Boston Public Schools and at some state colleges and would always tell my students my experiences. And for the most part I told them for the entertainment value, but then I started getting feedback from my students about my stories.I remember running into a student – one who I never thought paid very much attention – and he was telling my stories back to me and telling me how he applied them to his own life.When I realized they were important to my students, I thought it would be important that I write them down for my children. I didn’t even think it would turn into a book at that point.Over time I realized these stories had a common thread - Buddhism. It was at that point I knew this could be more than just something for my children. The writing revealed more about me than I ever could have expected. I reached deep inside myself to capture the spiritual essence.At what point did you decide to make the transition to Buddhism?I grew up Catholic and was very dissatisfied. Christian values are built around pure faith, so when I asked a question, and I questioned quite a bit, I was just told to believe instead of being told answers.I felt it was just a story to keep order in the community. So I went on to atheism for many years, but I felt that was an ignorant way to go through life, so eventually I became agnostic.When I was going through my doctoral program, it weighed stress on my entire family and me. My wife sent me to live with my mother-in-law in the Caribbean to relax it was very important in my life.When Meikle Paschal began writing down the experiences of his life, he did not know there would be a transcendental common theme connecting the events. After a closer examination, he realized his life had been threaded together through Buddhism.In Paschal’s new book, "Black Buddhist," he examines how his transformation from Catholicism to Buddhism shaped his life. On Thursday, May 30, the Lexington resident will discuss hismost recent book at Cary Memorial Library, 1874 Massachusetts Ave. at 7 p.m.Paschal spoke to The Minuteman about his experiences as an author and as a Buddhist.How did you find that you were interested in writing stories?I’ve always written well, all the way through school. And I’ve always been full of stories, some more robust than others.While in the classroom – I used to teach in Boston Public Schools and at some state colleges and would always tell my students my experiences. And for the most part I told them for the entertainment value, but then I started getting feedback from my students about my stories.I remember running into a student – one who I never thought paid very much attention – and he was telling my stories back to me and telling me how he applied them to his own life.When I realized they were important to my students, I thought it would be important that I write them down for my children. I didn’t even think it would turn into a book at that point.Over time I realized these stories had a common thread - Buddhism. It was at that point I knew this could be more than just something for my children. The writing revealed more about me than I ever could have expected. I reached deep inside myself to capture the spiritual essence.At what point did you decide to make the transition to Buddhism?I grew up Catholic and was very dissatisfied. Christian values are built around pure faith, so when I asked a question, and I questioned quite a bit, I was just told to believe instead of being told answers.I felt it was just a story to keep order in the community. So I went on to atheism for many years, but I felt that was an ignorant way to go through life, so eventually I became agnostic.When I was going through my doctoral program, it weighed stress on my entire family and me. My wife sent me to live with my mother-in-law in the Caribbean to relax it was very important in my life.Soon after my return home she and my mother passed. One night in my sleep my mother-in-law came to me in an experience and talked to me. I could actually feel the weight of her on my bed and she told me everything was going to be fine.I went through grief therapy, and started reading a lot of Alice Bailey. I asked a bookstore employee what I should read and he recommended the stories from the Buddha. Eventually I joined a cousin who lived in Lexington start going to Buddhist sessions.When looking back at your life, what effects did Buddhism have?A lot didn’t even occur when I was practicing Buddhism. I look back and apply the philosophy and research on past events.I’ve lived a whole series of important events in my life and felt that I have moved my life in the right direction.I know a lot of young black men who didn’t make it to 25. I was never arrested or shot and was able to go to college in a family that never sent anyone to college before. So when I graduated with a good cumulative average and a degree, it was then, looking back, I realized I could always summon up the courage and discipline to do what I needed to do to get where I wanted to be in life.In retrospect, it was one of my first recognitions of Buddhism.
