What We Notice

Because we think of ourselves as rational beings, we might ignore the fact that neuroscience has demonstrated that we actually rely first on our emotions, not our intellect. We become attached to a particular outcome – the way we want things to be – and we ignore any...

What Creates Community?

Each of us belongs to a number of communities, based on location, culture, shared interests, shared values, or shared organizational structures. When we think of our town or neighbourhood, we usually are considering a geographic area that we identify with whether or...

The Challenge of Forgiveness

Have you ever felt like, if you forgive someone, you are condoning what they did? Being able to forgive is one of the biggest challenges we face…and one of our biggest barriers to experiencing joy. I choose how I feel or react, so my anger at the other person is...

How Can We Counteract Violence?

Every day we get violent messages on the news, in our movies or video games, and in interaction with others. All of these messages affect us, in much the same way as small bits of litter can add together to create a real mess. Without going into seclusion, how can we...

Practicing Nonduality

Why do we tend to think things are “either—or”? Is such duality truly an illusion? We are so used to thinking in simple comparisons that we assume duality is just the nature of things. But if we look a little closer, life is more complex. Take any polar opposites and...

Why Forgive?

Have you ever noticed that anger, especially righteous indignation, is energizing? When I believe I’ve been hurt, I might even brood over the indignity, refusing to forgive, to amp up that energy. But refusing to forgive actually hurts me more than it does the other...

Ending Violence Against Women

Is it possible that violence against women is so pervasive, as a violation of human rights, that we just assume it will always continue? What would actually make a difference? We have seen some shifts in what is and is not condoned. The media no longer says “boys will...

Doing What Is Mine to Do

Do you have a clear sense of your unique purpose in this life? Or do you feel that anything you could do you should do (a recipe for burnout)? We can think of our shared lives as a gigantic jigsaw puzzle that we are assembling together. My piece might be part of a...

Our Cosmic Interconnectedness

How can we be unique individuals and also be part of a cosmic interconnected field of energy? Actually, we already have lots of experience at this. For example, we are members of our family and of social groups, communities and nations, each with their own distinct...

When Is Criticism Helpful?

Feeling critical or judgmental of ourselves or others is a very damaging emotion. It creates a sense of separateness and a fear of experimentation. When we are critical of ourselves, we become tense and edgy. When we are critical of others, we start to feel superior....