As difficult as it can be to do, the practice of radical empathic understanding — letting go attachment or desire for shared belief — becomes in my view not only a meaningful and valuable personal challenge but also a way to contribute to the larger world culture of “post-truth.” It may be a way that […]
Radical Understanding in a Post-Truth World
The Coronavirus pandemic is bringing to light aspects of society that were already increasingly showing signs of dysfunction and unhealth but now are more visible. One of these is how we as a society relate to truth. Through the marvel of the internet we have access to virtually unlimited amounts of information and opinions presented […]
The Future of Democracy
“It is for us the living… to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which [others]… have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us – that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the […]
Answering the call
As we move through this very difficult time, I believe a practice of empathy and mindfulness in conversation with ourselves and others is key to maintaining our health and well-being, and to being able to find ways to respond toward the greater collective good we envision is possible. I hope you are reaching out to […]
Care for us, and them, during these difficult times
As we humans deal with the global challenge of Coronavirus, I am seeing the way systems here in the U.S. are set up and functioning in ways that make the non-wealthy particularly vulnerable. The strong government support and social safety nets we had decades ago have been drastically weakened over time, and now as this […]
Empathy and Mindfulness with Inner Conversations of Fear and Anxiety
I am wondering how you are doing with the impacts of the Coronavirus? How intense is the fear and anxiety for you? Are you scared about protecting and providing for yourself and those you love? As we humans deal with the intensity of this challenge that Nature is bringing to us, it is so easy […]
Searching Together For A Way Forward
In the middle of the road of my life I awoke in a dark wood where the true way was wholly lost.–DANTE Have you had times in your life when things seemed dire and impossible to resolve, where every direction you could imagine had consequences you deeply didn’t want? The mind goes round and round […]
Empathic Conversation & Politics
As I write this, it is just a few days after the U.S. Senate acquitted Donald Trump of impeachment. It is no surprise to me that Trump proclaimed himself completely vindicated and exonerated of any misdeeds. What has been shocking and disturbing to me (just when I thought I could no longer be shocked by […]
Building Empathic Community in Organizations, Networks, and in our Personal Lives
I want to write about faith,about the way the moon risesover cold snow, night after nightfaithful even as it fades from fullness,slowly becoming that last curving and impossiblesliver of light before the final darkness.But I have no faith myselfI refuse it even the smallest entry.Let this then, my small poem,like a new moon, slender and […]