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Maeve Hassett
Search for Quiet Led to Teaching Buddhism and Community Listening
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Maeve Hassett’s life has been a journey of exploration and transformation, driven by a quest for quiet and enduring curiosity. Over thirty years ago, Maeve was working in mental health, balancing demands of a psychotherapy practice and an administrative role. Amidst the noise of daily life, she longed for something deeper—a quiet giving connection to something meaningful.
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At a dinner party serendipity intervened. A conversation about Buddhism led to an invitation to join a local Buddhist class. Intrigued, Maeve attended, unsure if she could sit still and quiet her mind. She found herself captivated by the teachings, the structure, and the absence of rigid dogma. “It wasn’t about believing in something,” she recalls, “but about exploring and experiencing life differently.” That moment marked the beginning of her journey into Buddhism.
Discovering the Depths of Practice
Maeve’s early involvement with the sangha—our local Buddhist community—provided her with more than just meditation techniques. It introduced her to the teachings of impermanence, the roots of suffering (greed, hatred, and delusion), and the practice of mindfulness. These teachings intertwined with her background in psychology and her prior Quaker experiences, forming a rich tapestry of understanding.
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A turning point came during a retreat when a teacher encouraged her to contemplate death. Overwhelmed by physical and emotional pain, returning to sitting with her thoughts, Maeve’s heart broke in a profound way. “I experienced no conflict, no wanting anything—just a pure connection with the present moment.” This transformational experience deepened her commitment to the practice and revealed the power of surrendering to the truth of the moment.
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Through her 60s and 70s, Maeve gradually retired, devoting more time to deepening her practice and teaching. For her, mindfulness wasn’t about achieving bliss but about being present with whatever arose—joy, sorrow, or discomfort. She embraced the balance articulated by poet Mark Nepo: “Everything is beautiful, and I’m so sad.” This perspective, she believes, is central to living mindfully: holding all emotions and experiences without judgment or resistance.
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A New Chapter: Learning in Community
After years of managing and teaching in the local sangha, Maeve has shifted her focus from teaching Buddhism to “learning in community” discussion sessions. While she still engages in some teaching, her primary interest these days lies in listening and fostering deeper connections with others. The sangha, she emphasizes, has always been about interdependence—a truth that feels most vital today. “Our lives are interconnected,” Maeve explains. “We’re dependent on each other and the environment around us. To grow, we need to keep listening and engaging in conversations that reveal the essence of who we are.”
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Maeve’s vision of community transcends traditional roles and labels. She speaks of the “so much more” within each person—qualities and potentials often hidden beneath societal expectations. Whether through painting, dancing, or simply being present, she allows herself and encourages others to explore these unexpressed parts of themselves. “When we put aside our roles and titles, we create space for authentic connection and understanding.”
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Advice for Cultivating Mindfulness
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For those considering a pivot toward mindfulness or Buddhism, Maeve offers simple yet profound advice:
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Embrace Awareness: Notice your tendencies to get distracted or to resist the truth of the moment. Be curious about what arises without judgment.
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Practice Patience: Mindfulness isn’t about achieving a state of bliss. It’s about being present with what is—whether joyful, painful, or mundane.
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Create Space: Make time for quiet reflection or walking meditation. As you walk, engage your senses—notice the air on your skin, the sound of leaves rustling, or the subtle differences in your surroundings each day.
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Integrate Quiet and Action: Over time, learn to balance moments of stillness with the demands of daily life. “Notice when you need space and take it,” Maeve advises. “But also find ways to be mindfully present in your busyness without getting caught up.”
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Value Community: Seek out meaningful interactions that go beyond surface-level exchanges. “Listening deeply to others helps us grow,” Maeve says. “It reminds us of our shared humanity.”
Toward a Shared Understanding
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As Maeve reflects on her journey, she envisions a world where individuals and communities embrace the fullness of who they are. By setting aside preconceived notions and opening up to genuine dialogue, she believes we can navigate the complexities of modern life with greater compassion and clarity.
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“The ‘end state,’ if there is one,” she muses, “is that we become real—with ourselves and with each other.” In Maeve’s view, this authenticity is both a practice, a journey, and a destination, one that unfolds through mindfulness, community, and the courage to listen deeply.
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For Maeve, the search for quiet led not just to personal transformation but to a lifelong commitment to learning and connection. Her story is a testament to the power of mindfulness to illuminate the path toward peace and purpose, one moment at a time.