I am catching up on Listeners and have come across an appealing and relevant (to me) concept in an article about Stuart McKenzie’s latest play After God.

I was always extremely interested in this third-century Buddhist philosopher, Nāgārjuna, who said there is no difference between samsāra – the secular world, the everyday world – and nirvana, the supposed release from that world.

This is easy to believe as I sit gently rocking in the egg chair watching butterflies flit through the garden, or when I bring flowers in to put beside Mum’s place at the table.

I am reminded of two proselytisers who came to my door years ago asking, ‘Do you want to see Paradise?’. They were very surprised when I gestured toward the garden behind them and replied, ‘This is Paradise!’. It’s affirming to have your world view backed up by a third-century philosopher.