Compassion, Love, Wisdom, Service
February 3, 2024
Our country, and our world, are in a time of great turmoil — including wars, intense political conflict within many countries, and mounting climate problems all over the globe. These in turn are causing vast migrations of people seeking safety and a better life — but there is nowhere for all these people to go without causing disruption, division, and sometimes outright hostility.
Added to this array of problems is the impact of living in an age of instant communication, which is too often used to spread fear, anger, resentment, and blame. One result is an increasing level of polarization, causing communities to break apart and increasing numbers of individuals to feel alone, adrift on a turbulent sea. Loneliness, frustration, and despair are rising rapidly, and it is hard to envision what the future will bring. More:
The Call to Service
April 9, 2023
We make a living by what we get. We make a life by what we give.
– Winston Churchill
To share often and much … to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded.
– Ralph Waldo Emerson
Life’s most persistent and urgent question is: What are you doing for others?
– Martin Luther King, Jr.
I don’t know what your destiny will be, but one thing I do know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who have sought and found how to serve.
– Albert Schweitzer
In nothing do men more nearly approach the Gods than by doing good to their fellow man.
– Cicero
The perfume of sandalwood,
The scent of rosemary and jasmine,
Travel only so far in the wind.
But the fragrance of goodness travels with us through all the worlds.
Like garlands woven from flowers,
Fashion your life as a garland of beautiful deeds.
– The Buddha
Reasons To Be of Service
There are many ways to find pleasure and satisfaction, but most are fleeting, often dissolving like a mist before the moment is fully past. On the other end of the spectrum, there are only a handful of ways that people have found lasting fulfillment or a sustained sense of meaning. Among those few, service is the path more have taken than any other. Perhaps this is because we sense that we are inextricably connected to others, to nature, and to everything at a fundamental level. MORE
The Connectedness of All Things
March 26, 2023
Continuing with the theme of the last Essay, “The Web of Life,” all the wisdom traditions throughout history have been based on the recognition of an underlying unity, a connectedness in the universe.
The revolutionary ideas of Copernicus, Galileo, Descartes, Bacon, Kepler, Newton, and others in the 16th and 17th centuries ushered in a new era of thought, and the scientific revolution took off on a rapid and dramatic ascent. Importantly, though, all these key figures who set this ascent in motion continued to believe there was an overall unity in the universe and that a Divine Order provided the basis for that unity. Even the least religious figure among them, Francis Bacon, had this to say:
“A little philosophy inclineth man’s mind to atheism; but depth in philosophy bringeth men’s minds about to religion. For while the mind of man looketh upon second causes scattered, it may sometimes rest in them, and go no further; but when it beholdeth the chain of them, confederate and linked together, it must needs fly to Providence and Deity.”
Among the leading lights of this revolution, some were quite religious, including the most celebrated of all, Isaac Newton. Nor did their scientific ideas interfere with the belief in an orderly, unified universe. In fact, the idea that there was an order and connectedness underpinned all that they did — their shared mission was to understand it. MORE
The Web of Life
February 25, 2023
Are we humans somehow connected to others in a deep way, or is life an individual journey, perhaps even a fight for survival?
Looking back over my life, most significant memories involve other people: romantic relationships, intense conversations, experiencing other cultures, doing something for another person, working with a team or tight-knit group, being recognized by others for an accomplishment, winning a competition planned by some organization, reading a book and feeling a connection with the author, and writing with an awareness of readers who might find something I say worthwhile.
These are the positive memories. But there are many on the other side of the ledger; negative memories of being criticized by a friend or rejected by someone with whom I was infatuated, being embarrassed when my mistakes or errors were discovered by others, feeling disappointed by the actions of friends or family, hearing negative gossip about myself among other people, and when others pointed out the failure of projects I had undertaken.
In addition to memories, most of my longings and fears have been tied to other people: the desire for acknowledgement and to be recognized; the search for emotional closeness and connection; sexual longings; worldly ambitions; wishing to be of service; hoping to make the world a better place. All these involve other people.
Surveying the vast range of feelings and emotions I have experienced — love, success, victory, anger, compassion, envy, fear, shame, guilt, and so many others — all are a part of the web of connections woven into the fabric of my life. MORE
Is Joy Possible?
Feb 4, 2023
I have heard the word joy used in numerous ways, and it always has a strong allure. But it also brings a nagging ache, for what I think of as true joy seems so rare. What does the word joy convey that seems so alluring, yet is so elusive as we go about our daily lives?
Is joy the feeling that comes when something good happens — winning a competition or gaining a prize? The reward of pleasant experiences or satisfying sensations?
These do not capture the experience of true joy for me. It is deeper, richer, touching a different level of my being. MORE
Gratitude, Thankfulness, Praise
January 15, 2023
It is better to light one small candle of gratitude than to curse the darkness.
– Confucius
Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all the others.
– Cicero
Wise men appreciate and are grateful.
– The Buddha
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances.
– Paul
A grateful mind is a great mind which eventually attracts to itself great things.
– Plato
If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, ‘thank you,’ that would suffice.
– Meister Eckhart
The essence of all beautiful art, all great art, is gratitude.
– Nietzsche
Your depression is connected to your insolence
And refusal to praise
Whoever feels himself walking on the path
And refuses to praise
that man or woman steals from others everyday
Is a shoplifter.
– Rumi
I can no other answer make
But thanks,
And thanks,
and ever thanks.
– Shakespeare
A lot of attention has been given in the last few years to the value of gratitude in aiding one’s life — to improve mood, attitude, and even health — and those effects are real and valuable. There has also been increased recognition of the importance of being grateful and thankful toward those you care about — which improves and deepens relationships — and this is extremely valuable.
But I want to focus on another value of gratitude and thankfulness in this essay — how they can help us grow emotionally and spiritually. If you want to become more psychologically and emotionally mature, and especially if you want to grow spiritually, one of the most important traits to develop is gratitude — thankfulness for the good there is, for “what is.” More
The Love That Moves the Universe
December 31, 2022
At the beginning of the 14th century in Italy, there was much political turmoil. Dante Alighieri, who had become a successful political figure at the precocious age of 36, was on the wrong losing side in a conflict and banished from his home in Florence. He spent the next 20 years in exile, never returning home. He suffered much. But through the suffering, as well as much deep inner work, he gradually gained the insight and wisdom that led to his writing of one of the most influential works in Western thought, the Divine Comedy.
The book describes a metaphorical journey, with the main character traveling down through many levels of Hell, making his way up through Purgatory, and finally ascending to the top stages of Paradise. He reaches the highest point possible for a human being, but he can see there is more, and he longs to glimpse the highest pinnacle. Because he is a living person, however, he cannot move into or see that highest realm. Yet his aspiration to catch a glimpse of the highest truth is so strong that his longing is fulfilled — not as a thought, but as a vision:
As I wished, the truth I wished for came
Cleaving my mind in a great flash of light.
What he glimpsed in that instant was that at the pinnacle of Heaven was not a figure, but a force, which was love. And his own deepest will and desire had always been drawn by that same love to the journey he was on, even before he was conscious of it. He felt that the love that moved his life and his journey was the same love that moved “the sun and the other stars.” In his vision, it is this love that moves the whole universe, and everything in it. More
Just Be Kind
September 10, 2022 (Also the ninth essay in Our Highest Possibilities)
“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle.”
Skeptico: You have talked a lot about the great wisdom figures, but I feel so inadequate in comparison. Give me something simple I can do right now.
A few traits are most often associated with the saints and sages of history, and working to develop one of these is a good way to move toward fulfillment.
Those mentioned earlier include love, compassion, inner peace, getting to know yourself, becoming clear about your intentions, thinking more about others, working toward something you feel is worthwhile, and learning to direct your attention. But the simplest one I know is practicing kindness. It is something you can do right now: Practice kindness toward everyone you meet as often as you can.
Skeptico: But the world is a difficult place, and it seems to be especially difficult right now. There is so much anger, bitterness, suspicion — even hostility and violence.
Wisdom Seeker: Yes, but if there is a way through to a better place, it will involve finding a way to be kinder to each other.
Skeptico: What about the law of the jungle — kill or be killed; look out for number one; the survival of the fittest.
Wisdom Seeker: Those instincts are definitely a part of us. But a number of other currents in human beings intrigued Darwin and continue to confound behaviorists: the strong tendencies toward love, compassion, and kindness.
These currents form the heart of the message of the founders of all the great wisdom traditions: Confucius, the Buddha, Jesus, Muhammad, and Socrates, to name a few of the most influential. All gave love, compassion, and kindness a central place. Continue Reading
The Role of Character
July 21, 2022
In trying to be a certain kind of person, by making efforts to act in certain ways and not others, we move into the realm of “character.” Much of one’s character begins with upbringing, of course; most early actions are molded by the important figures in one’s early life. But as time goes on, each person begins to make choices as to which traits to encourage and which to discourage, so that over time similarities can and often do give way to very different character patterns. More
Compassion and Service
December 19, 2021
For several years our country—and the world—have been going through ever-increasing difficulties: political turmoil, Covid, economic disruptions, mounting climate problems—all increasing the level of polarization, resentment, blame, anger, frustration, loneliness, and despair. It is hard to see what will come of all this. MORE
The Message Most Needed
January 29, 2021
In the journey to fulfillment, awakening, to be saved; in order to find liberation, enlightenment, or freedom; to learn to live in harmony with the Tao or the Good or God—whatever you call the goal toward which the great wisdom traditions have pointed as the ultimate possibility of life—every tradition has said there are stages to pass through and steps to be taken in order to reach this highest possibility. MORE
Letting Go
January 1, 2021 Welcome 2021! I am so glad you are here! For 20 years I offered an all-day program on the first day of the year to help participates develop intentions, experience community, and enter the new year prepared to learn and grow. Sadly, the pandemic has broken that tradition.
In fact, 2020 was a terror in many different ways: the Australian and west coast wildfires, a record number of hurricanes, drought, heatwaves, loneliness, isolation, a bitter election, and a terrible disease.
So, instead of the regular gathering, I will offer here some thoughts and reflections to help each reader create images and intentions to set in motion the best possible 2021. MORE
Finding Peace Beyond the Darkness
December 24, 2020
Who will you be on the other side? Our country and the world have been going through a very difficult time. As we move through it, it is hard to think of spring, of flowers, of the end of the pandemic. Covid has taken a heavy toll—in lives, as well as in our collective spirit. Now we have come to the depths of winter. But it is time to think about who you will be on the other side of this time of personal and communal trial.
The questions for each of us are: How can we use this time of darkness to move toward renewal and rebirth—which the solstice, Christmas, and a New Year all symbolize.
How can we keep the flame of possibility for a better time alive in our hearts? MORE
Making the Best of It in Times of Crises
May 26, 2020
One thing I have been doing during this time is to read about past crises in many different periods in the U.S. and around the world. Doing this has been bracing, sometimes sad, and quite often inspiring. We humans have faced so many difficult times, and each time we have overcome the difficulties, sometimes with courage and grace. MORE
Thanksgiving 2021
As I watch the sun come up on this bright, cold, morning, I want to wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving and a bountiful day, and week – and rest of your life.
There are so many problems in our world today I seldom take the time to remember all the blessings. So many people through history have lived through times that were much worse: terrible wars, famine, lack of basic necessities, starvation, and on and on. I have read a good bit about the Civil War this year to remind myself how fortunate I am—we all are today.
For anyone who wishes to be more thankful for what they have, however, it won’t happen by chance: You will have to choose it. As Samuel Johnson said:
“Gratitude is a fruit of great cultivation.” Read More
Resources for This Difficult Time
As this time of crisis continues, one important action each of us can take is to cultivate a sense of peace and calm within ourselves, and then share those energies with anyone with whom we have contact, whether in person or via the various electronic devices we use. MORE
Finding Peace in Perilous Times
As I think about these times, it is hard to know what each of us can do to solve this great societal crisis. But each of us can make a monumental effort, deep within ourselves, to find inner peace and calm, and then share those qualities with everyone we touch (however that happens, in these extraordinary times). Some of the greatest figures in human history found inner peace in the worst of times. MORE
Thankfulness
November 28, 2019
One of the best ways to transform is through the development of gratitude and thankfulness. This understanding goes back a long time. In Aesop’s Fables we learn that: “Gratitude is the sign of a noble soul.” This wisdom is still going strong today, captured by the saying: “An attitude of gratitude creates a space for grace.”
The Meaning of Christmas
December 15, 2019
Christmas is almost here, and this gives us an opportunity to consider our lives in relation to its meaning. This time of year has different meanings for millions of different people, so let me focus on three that seem most relevant to transformation and to the inner journey.