Empathic Community
Control
I believe we’re seeing in the world the inevitable effects of the temptation for us humans to use our intelligence to control – Nature, people, groups, nations, ourselves — and control so easily slides into domination, oppression, and exploitation. It’s inevitable what happens in the paradigm of separation and materialism in which we live. Control…
Read MoreOutrage
I want to write about outrage, the way my mind and heart and belly can flare at the wrongness I see in the world, especially at the people who I see as thinking and acting wrongly. The impulse is so compelling, so visceral, primal. They’re destroying the country, and the whole world! If they would…
Read MoreIn Conversation with the Great Transition of our Time — In our Lives, and In the World
It seems we have entered the time of The Great Transition.Our ancestors have spoken of this time.Earth’s ecosystems have been giving us her soft messages for a while now, gracefully collapsing under our dedication to consumption and domination. We’re starting to see this great conversation of epic forces more clearly now on societal levels, all…
Read MoreLiberty and Justice for All?
This past weekend was the 4th of July, Independence Day holiday in the U.S. It is meant to be a celebration of liberty, equality, and opportunity. But instead of celebration I feel deep mourning and pain. The American mythology is that liberty, equality, and opportunity are for everyone. Yet from the formation of this country…
Read MoreEconomics, Politics, and Conversation Based in Universal Health
The U.S. congress has now passed four massive financial stimulus/relief bills. From what I have seen, heard, and read my understanding is that a large portion of support from these bills (trillions of dollars) is going to large corporations and the wealthy, including big tax benefits. Whereas other segments of the population are receiving a…
Read MoreRadical Understanding In a Post-Truth World: Part 2
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…
Read MoreRadical 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…
Read MoreThe 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…
Read MoreAnswering 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…
Read MoreCare 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…
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