I grew up in a small upstate New York town in the afterglow of WWII when the US was economically flourishing. I had the good fortune to live in a peaceful neighborhood, with loving parents and a stable home environment.
In my long history working to help people resolve their most painful problems, I’ve learned that virtually 100% of our suffering is caused by thinking that our worth as a being depends on our satisfactory performance in the eyes of others.
4-Part Webinar Series with Jack Elias, CHT Here is a personal story Jack tells about learning from emotional overwhelm: “Many years ago, I experienced a prolonged period of unexpectedly deep, gut-wrenching grief.
Meditation on impermanence and death is a profoundly helpful practice when done properly, without a “poor me” mentality. Looking directly at the impermanence and fragility of life can save us from arrogance, the numbing effects of an attitude of entitlement, and from greed, all of which depend on holding onto the notion that we are immortal and that our ”stuff” is permanent.
If we are accustomed to living a "good life" of relative privilege, we can tend to be ashamed that we're afraid of epidemics, terrorism, and climate change. This unfortunate combination of feelings makes it difficult to develop a good course of action.
Whether it is we ourselves or someone we love who receives a diagnosis of terminal illness –– the news stops us in our tracks. In that gap, our mind stops. After that, our mind may run in different directions––fear, grief, or shock set in . . . .
It’s no secret that our personal associations with the holidays can bring us sorrow as well as joy. Extremes of happiness and sadness may have good cause.
Last year about this time my wife and I saw the movie, Lincoln, directed by Steven Spielberg. November 19 is the 151st anniversary of the Gettysburg Address (1863).
I’ve just been watching the antics of the award winning French cat, “Henri the Cat”. There are now 3 episodes on YouTube. Henri even has his own store!
“…but I’ll defend to the death your right to say it.” Voltaire May Rep. Gabrielle Giffords recover. May the families of the injured and dead in Pima County, Arizona find peace and renewal.