A DAY IN THE NEXT

A Journey From Brooklyn to Buddhism

"A truly touching work."

This is the poignant story of a young girl, Arlaana Black, who grew up with a congenital heart problem in a family who loved her but were limited by a number of difficulties, including mental illnesses and early onset dementia. Her alienation and trauma were so profound that throughout her childhood she suffered from periods of feeling suffocated. Resolved to become happy and understood, she was ultimately transformed by her practice of Buddhism. As a result, Arlaana not only learned how to properly breathe but also found herself in the most unusual of circumstances: as a professional singer, at the dawn of the development of the internet, in Western Africa, as a professor, as a founding member of a New York charter school, as a well-regarded restauranteur, and ultimately as a loving wife and mother.

This is a powerful, transformative work for anyone who suffered from childhood traumas or is considering the practice of Buddhism, particularly that of Soka Gakkai Buddhism and the chanting of the mantra Nam-myoho-renge-kyo.

"An unforgettable memoir about resilience and the ability to turn life's hardships into fuel for personal growth and improvement. A truly touching work." - Michela Polito, author of NICO.

A roller coadter of a life

Never got bored, every chapter brought another adventure with a very positive and uplifting message. Never give up!