Muhammad Yunus: A World of Three Zeroes
According to Nobel Peace Prize winner Muhammad Yunus, a world without poverty or environmental devastation does not have to be just a utopian dream. Yunus believes that building a kindler, gentler planet "starts with recognizing what he describes as the inherent cruelty of capitalism, the need to value the abilities of every human being, and understanding that saving the environment must be a coll... posted on May 5, 10429 reads

Peace Pilgrim's Last Interview
How far would you go to "live" on a daily basis something you believed in? Would you go over 25,000 miles? Would you spend over twenty-five years on the journey? And what would you need to be able to show for it in order to consider your effort a success? Read this remarkable interview with the woman who zig-zagged across the United States more than six times on foot as a way to embody peace and i... posted on Mar 6, 0 reads

How to Help Teens Find Their Purpose
"Research shows that teens and young adults that seek purpose report higher life satisfaction and levels of happiness. New research even suggests that a feeling of purpose in young people is associated with better physical health." In this piece Patrick Cook-Deegan explores the power of transformative experiences in helping teenagers find their purpose.... posted on Feb 16, 268641 reads

A Mind Seeking Permanency Soon Stagnates
J. Krishnamurti, one of the 20th century's most remarkable spiritual leaders, reminds us that life is impermanent, that we are driven by impermanent relationships, ambitions and achievements, and suffer because there is death at the end. He suggests we need not suffer from impermanency because it is a simple fact. Yet we do suffer, because we don't want to accept the truth of it. Nevertheless, he ... posted on Aug 13, 13203 reads

The Physics of Vulnerability
"We can choose courage or we can choose comfort, but we can't have both. Not at the same time. Vulnerability is not winning or losing; it's having the courage to show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome. Vulnerability is not weakness; it's our greatest measure of courage." Find out more about the physics of falling down and rising up strong from Brene Brown.
... posted on Apr 27, 0 reads

3 Ways You Can Find More Happiness at Work
"Too many of us fall in the trap of believing that "work is work" and isn't supposed to be a source of happiness, or that work goals will suffer if we focus on what makes us happy. But research suggests the opposite: Happier employees are more productive, benefitting their companies as much as themselves." Annie McKee, an international business advisor and a senior fellow at the University of Penn... posted on Apr 28, 59882 reads

Scale in the Story of Interbeing
In contemporary society, bigger is better: bigger homes, bigger salaries, bigger acts, bigger influences. But what about all the small acts carried out each day by those who remain invisible to the masses? Are their intentions deemed less worthy, their outcomes less significant? In this inspiring essay, author Charles Eisenstein challenges the belief that in order to leave an imprint, our actions ... posted on Apr 7, 24011 reads

Human Scale Revisited
There was a time when buildings were scaled to the human figure, democracies were scaled to the societies they served, and enterprises were scaled to communities. Against that backdrop, author Kirkpatrick Sale revisits his classic book Human Scale against recent global developments and offers compelling new insights on how to turn toward a scale that allows humanity to not only survive, but thrive... posted on May 4, 8110 reads

Elucidating Human Consciousness Through Art
The brain is a work of art beyond our understanding and, in many way, is a miracle of organization out of chaos. Greg Dunn has made it his life's work to share that miracle with us in the art he creates from micro etchings of the brain. With a PhD in neuroscience that might have led to a career in research or a professorship, Greg has turned his talents in science to the world of art. His art is e... posted on May 7, 11895 reads

My Song to Nature
Can you remember being a child, lost in the wonders of the natural world around you? Revisit that wonder and joy. Lang Elliot provides the biography to his on-going work celebrating nature. Then, he treats you to a recording of his spoken-word and soundscape creation.... posted on Jun 6, 8189 reads

The Focus of the Storm
Joanna Macy reflects on Rilke's Book of Hours, which has served as spiritual nourishment for almost fifty years of soul-searching and activism. "Its images lent some pattern, even meaning, to a life I thought had failed in its spiritual vocation... Now those same lines...shed new light on the patchwork my life had become -- marriage, motherhood, abandoned government career, assortment of jobs, stu... posted on Jun 25, 11021 reads

Surprise is a Seed
Every day we are met with wonders beyond our imagination and simple acts that inspire a deep sense of awe. Yet often these occurrences go unnoticed as we've come to see them as ordinary. If we tuned into what was happening around us with deeper awareness, we might be surprised at what unfolds: the key turning in the ignition to start our car's engine or the bodily processes that operate tirelessly... posted on Sep 15, 9337 reads

The Wisdom of South Korea's Garden Hacking Grandparents
Whether we wake up each morning under eaves beneath trees, or on the top floors of towers among a forest of more towers; whether we walk our children to school through a park, or drive our car down the traffic-clogged streets to the market; whether we spend our mornings closed in meeting rooms, or tending urban gardens, each of us are the potential builders of a new culture, and each of our action... posted on Jun 28, 6483 reads

Be Still, Life
'Be Still, Life' is a book written for the child in all of us -- the child in you who stares out the window when you should be working and wishes you had the day off. Author Ohara Hale has captured the childlike dreams we all have in whimsical illustrations and thoughts to embrace the moments that are before us. Hale reminds us of the wonder of nature through a child's eyes in such simple images a... posted on Jun 16, 7199 reads

Avoiding Volunteer Burnout With Mindful Self Care
Being a person who makes a difference in the world is a hope that most of us have, but being able to do so for any sustained period of time is the challenge. For many of us, making a difference takes the form of volunteering in challenging situations while working full time jobs. In the article "Avoiding Volunteer Burnout With Mindful Self Care," author Jennifer Jean shares a five step plan that s... posted on Jun 30, 12893 reads

Moshe Feldenkrais: Learn to Learn
Rarely does a teacher take the time to explain to a student how to learn. They will explain the topic and sometimes how to learn that topic, but how to learn in general so you can learn anything is rarely approached. In this short essay on Awareness Through Movement, Moshe Feldenkrais, the founder of the Feldenkrais Method (a form of somatic education) does just that. His intent is to enable us to... posted on Jul 27, 13857 reads

Paolo Soleri: Architecture as Salvation
Paolo Soleri was a visionary. Over decades, he influenced thousands of young architects. He called his vision arcology (architecture + ecology). The city as city occupied his thought. How could it help us reach our potential as human beings? Decades ago, he realized that we are drowning in a sea of data -- information-- and we don't seem to be able to find the time to transform it into knowledge. ... posted on Jun 23, 2381 reads

Quincy Troupe: A Poet's Journey
Troupe, stationed in France and a terrifically gifted basketball player, suffered a knee injury. While recuperating, he began to write an awesomely bad novel. Seeking advice, a friend sent him to a little French guy with glasses. Troupe didn't know it at the time, but the little guy with glasses was Jean Paul Sartre. His advice, "Why don't you get a little notebook and write in it every day? Just ... posted on Jul 10, 2579 reads

The World I Want to Live In
"Even though I am now almost completely blind due to the late embers of the naked sky of Hiroshima, when I first saw with the 'vision of the heart,' I finally understood that I am at last, truly able to see. When I had an epiphany two decades ago, I was convinced that forgiveness is the first step toward peace...My life story demonstrates how a heart twisted by hatred and revenge can be transforme... posted on Aug 6, 3359 reads

Welcome to Our Shared Humanity
In moments of difficulty, we can feel utterly and completely alone in our pain and suffering. Actually, in this very moment, everyone is carrying some burden. It might be physical, like a load of heavy bricks. It might be emotional, like a regret from the past. It might be a burden of basic survival, like finding enough food or a safe place to sleep for the night. We are, in this very moment, part... posted on Sep 6, 10109 reads

Lyla June: Time Traveler
Life is about "the song that travels through" you. This song of life "lives on through matrilineal lines", time traveling across generations and cultures. This has always been work shepherded by fiercely tender women. In this music video, spoken-word artist Lyla June offers a poetic reflection on time and the wisdom needed to care for future generations.... posted on Sep 23, 15618 reads

Barbara Kingsolver: My Crazy Summer of Squash
Summer is the time of abundant harvest. In this humorous essay on the tribulations of too many zucchini, acclaimed writer, Barbara Kingsolver explains why country people lock their doors and cars and even gates at the end of the summer.... posted on Sep 14, 14225 reads

Gandhi 3.0: A Grand Rehearsal of Unconditional Love
In the heart of Mahatma Gandhi's homeland, is a modern-day experiment of the timeless Law of Love. They call it Gandhi 3.0, where "Gandhi" stands for the age-old principle of leading with inner transformation, and "3.0" represents the many-to-many networks that are popularized by Internet. In January 2018, around the 100th anniversary of the Gandhi Ashram, the experiment culminated in a global ret... posted on Oct 2, 3102 reads

Failure Is Afraid of You
When confronted with the possibility of failure, we become afraid. We are so afraid of failure that we combat it by metaphorically beating it, sweeping it away, or hiding it in a deep hole. What might happen if we lit a candle and looked at our fear in the light of wisdom, compassion and even joy? Discover how fear of failure can be transformed in this short essay from the blog DailyBeloved.
... posted on Oct 27, 8594 reads

Stranger Kindness
Have you ever been moved by a stranger's kindness? What about returning the favor and asking yourself how you can be there for someone else? In this touching post, Reverend Bonnie Rose challenges readers to ask strangers that they encounter, "Is there anything I can do or say to help you have a better day?" Read on to learn about the humble connections that can emerge when we bravely break the bar... posted on Oct 6, 11894 reads

The Missing People Choir
Located in London, the Missing People Choir consists of families with missing loved ones and volunteers who want to sing with them, bringing powerful support at times of tremendous grief. By coming together with others who have experienced such a traumatic loss, people are given strength and hope. "Where words end, music carries on" as choir members reach out to their missing loved ones by raising... posted on Oct 3, 2158 reads

A Call to Caring
"At the heart of caring is an 'and' not an 'or'. Deep within us lies a potential that transcends our artificial limitations. Can we embrace the possibility that we are fully capable of caring globally, in every direction -- that the compass of our caring could open 360 degrees?" In his new book 'Caring' Tibetan lama Tarthang Tulku dives deep into an exploration of caring, and the potent antidote i... posted on Nov 1, 581 reads

A Great Urgency: To All World and Spiritual Leaders
In this call for prayer, Avrol Looking Horse requests that all religious and spiritual leaders come together for the Earth. The inciting incident was the Gulf Oil spill in 2010, but the petition for global prayer holds even more true today. Avrol asks that we unite spiritually, All Nations, All Faiths, One Prayer.... posted on Dec 20, 4500 reads

How to Live a More Courageous Life
When confronted with fear, the brain will seek relief in the form of old coping habits if left to its own devices. However, there are things we can do to help it change course. If we set the stage for courage, our awareness of what happens to us becomes our greatest ally. "The more you interrupt the old fear-based habits and replace fear-based responses with responses to boost courage, the more yo... posted on Dec 14, 0 reads

The Abundance of Less
In "The Abundance of Less" Andy Couturier profiles the lives of ten pioneering Japanese artist-activists living lives of extraordinary grace and purpose outside the bounds of mainstream society. As author David Abram puts it,"Reading this magic book is like drinking from a fresh wellspring deep in the mountains: it slowly returns one to sanity. In an era when the allure of ten thousand digital scr... posted on Nov 28, 9114 reads

Grateful Changemakers: Karma Kitchen
The first Karma Kitchen opened in Berkley, CA in 2007. It began as an experiment of a "gift economy". An economic system where goods and services are gifted - with no strings attached!
What a culture shift!! This model puts people in the position to receive kindness from strangers, inviting us to see from a different perspective. This is such a beautiful exploration of change in our behavi... posted on Dec 24, 8375 reads

Living Simply in a Tiny Off-Grid Cabin
Meet Tom, Sarah and their daughter, Neesa. They live in a 20 square meter off-grid cabin on property in New Zealand. Instead of paying rent, they share the work of looking after the land with the owners. Tom is a medical doctor and Sarah is an illustrator. Both have chosen to reduce their work to almost nothing in order to have more time to focus on living well. This short film is an example of Ha... posted on Nov 29, 4053 reads

Aesthetic Thought: A Conversation with Lobsang Ragpay
A talk Lobsang gave twenty years ago stayed with me. But what did he mean by "aesthetic thought"? And why was it so important? In a recent interview, Rapgay talks about allowing a thought to come forth rather than the habitual way of going looking for one. It means having a direct experience. "The real freedom," he says, "is freedom from our thoughts and projections." It's not an easy path. ... posted on Jan 9, 2468 reads

5 Core Practices for More Meaningful Conversations
Communication affects every aspect of our lives. Mindful communications with consciousness and presence improves our relations and enhances our capacity for life. Oren Jay Sofer, author of "Say What You Mean" shares 5 practices to deepen our communications. ... posted on Feb 9, 34135 reads

Matthew Sanford Transforms Loss
In 1978 Matthew Sanford was paralyzed in a car accident that took the lives of his father and sister. He was thirteen years old. He shares his story of transformation through loss in this insightful interview. Through the teachings of yoga and building a relationship to his body he became in touch with the "more" we all know ourselves to be. Our bodies make the intangible, tangible; integrating bo... posted on Jan 30, 9272 reads

Call of the Mountain
Have ever asked yourself, why am I moved to tears or laughter at the sight of a soaring bird? Have you ever felt deeply drawn to a tree, a river, an ocean or a mountain? Settle in and watch this video. Come home to who you are in this wide wonderful world. Learn how even your smallest daily choices can be deeply meaningful and fulfilling once you understand the your deep connections to the vastnes... posted on Jan 14, 4074 reads

We Teach Who We Are
If you ask a child what they want to be when they grow up the answer is never "loved" or "happy" or "peaceful." We put a lot of weight on success, on setting goals and reaching them. And we quantify those accomplishments. How much did you get done today? What is your salary? How big is your house? Even our connections today are quantifiable. You have 500 friends on social media. You scroll through... posted on Jan 29, 3759 reads

Angels in the Details
You know the saying "The devil is in the details." This nugget of hard-earned wisdom reminds us how hard it can be to transform an idea into something that actually works in real life. What if there was a book where there were angels in the details? John Todd's Healing Earth: An Ecologist's Journey of Innovation and Environmental Stewardship is just such a book. It is filled with gloriously simple... posted on Mar 12, 6353 reads

The Joy of Being a Woman in Her Seventies
"When I told my friends I was writing a book on older women like us, they immediately protested, "I am not old." What they meant was that they didn't act or feel like the cultural stereotypes of women their age. Old meant bossy, useless, unhappy and in the way. Our country's ideas about old women are so toxic that almost no one, no matter her age, will admit she is old." Mary Pipher, a clinical ps... posted on Feb 27, 473644 reads

Eight Tips for Fostering Mindfulness in Teenagers
Have you ever wondered what it takes to be a successful teacher? In this article, mindfulness educator Patrick Cook-Deegan shares what he's learned about how to connect with teenagers in the classroom. From the importance of class size and curriculum, to when students are most engaged, these tips offer valuable insights into the challenging and rewarding world of teaching.... posted on Mar 15, 11114 reads

Unexpected Art in Unexpected Places
What happens when we look more closely, whether with the naked eye or equipment? Incredible details come into focus, bringing with them the possibility of beauty and interest we might never have conceived of. Imagine what would occur if you suddenly zoomed in on all those things you have lying around your house and studio or rusting outside. What new art might be inspired by such "stuff"? Mirka Kn... posted on Jul 10, 7278 reads

Guarding the Tongue: The Importance of Right Speech
"A few years ago, I went through an estrangement with a close friend because of the words I used to refer to her partner's behavior. Although he did not hear what she and I said in our phone conversation, by "chance" he saw my e-mail that followed it. I meant no harm. I thought I was being supportive of my friend. But it was careless speech on my part, and it has cost me dearly. The painful reperc... posted on Mar 16, 9401 reads

Can Borrowing from Neighbors Strengthen Democracy?

In the course of our daily lives, we may find abundant evidence that our social fabric has frayed. As Robert Putnam discussed in his 2000 book Bowling Alone, Americans have become increasingly isolated, drifting away from activities that stimulate civic engagement. Could the casual connection created through borrowing a cup of sugar from a neighbor help restore the sense of community neede... posted on May 11, 5235 reads

Searching for Meaning Purpose and Patterns
Underneath many of the problems facing us today lie personal choices. Many of us are not only dissatisfied with the immense global problems we face but also with the quality of our own lives. One way to address these global challenges by connecting their solutions to smaller choices we already want to make in our personal lives. Sky Nelson-Isaacs lucidly explains how we can move into rhythm with t... posted on May 7, 9586 reads

The Skittish Stallion
"There were two horses. One was a quarter horse and the other one was this big black stallion that had been abused. It was quite skittish. You couldnt get close to it. Of course, I was determined to become friends with that horse." Rosemary Peterson shares more in this beautiful piece that speaks to the power of patience and intention in our relationships.... posted on Apr 18, 2922 reads

Butterflies Without Borders
Change is the only constant. And things are going to be different, not better or worse, just different. Our first impulse in the face of overwhelming change is often to resist and try to stop it from happening. How would it be if we could transform our fear into energy influencing the inevitable changes of life? Learn more about how some courageous people are learning to influence the changes faci... posted on Apr 27, 2716 reads

Free Trip to Egypt
Seeking to build a bridge of mutual understanding and friendship, a Canadian-Egyptian entrepreneur living in Switzerland decides to reach out to the very people who fear him. He travels across the United States to find Americans concerned about an Islamic threat and makes them an intriguing offer: a Free Trip to Egypt.... posted on Jun 11, 2481 reads

Gus: A Story of Loss and Love
There is a saying that when we know better, we do better. Such was the case for Gus Mojica, a former gang member. As a young teen, he did what others in his neighborhood were doing without seeing or knowing a better way to live. He recalls vividly the night that changed everything for him. After being in a gang for almost 20 years, he suffered a loss that showed him he had to change. What he has d... posted on May 9, 7204 reads

Scott Fry is a Loving Earthling
What would business look like if instead of the bottom line being bigger is better, or how can we make more money - different questions were asked that are based on relationships to the people, to families, community, that are looking at how we can heal the land, and honor the sacred? Join Nathan Scolero from Dumbo Feather magazine in this phenomenal story of Scott Fry and his journey to creating ... posted on May 19, 5643 reads

Humanity's Path to a Flourishing Future
"I discovered that what makes humans unique is that we--to a greater extent than any other species--have what I call a 'patterning instinct:' we are driven to pattern meaning into our world. That drive is what led humans to develop language, myth, and culture. It enabled us to invent tools and develop science, giving us tremendous benefits but also putting us on a collision course with the natural... posted on May 16, 6654 reads