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, 11020 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, 8374 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, 34134 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, 473643 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, 9585 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, 5642 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

A Message About Messages
The complex meanings of a serious story or novel can be understood only by participation in the language of the story itself. To translate them into a message or reduce them to a sermon distorts, betrays, and destroys them. This is because a work of art is understood not by the mind only, but by the emotions and by the body itself.... posted on Oct 16, 9084 reads

Kitbull: A Moving Story of Friendship Between Dog and Cat
In this heartwarming Pixar short, an unlikely friendship forms when a stray cat encounters an abused pit bull. Together, the pair discovers that trust and companionship can mend even the most painful of wounds. Watch their journey unfold here.... posted on May 24, 3592 reads

Happiness is Practice, Not Pleasure
Put aside your preconceptions of happiness and join Krista Tippett with French born Tibetan monk Matthieu Ricard, author of Happiness: A Guide to Developing Life's Most Important Skill. Ricard reframes happiness as not simply a pleasure or sensation to be experienced, but as a skill to be practiced and cultivated. He asks, "What are the inner conditions that foster a genuine sense of flourishing, ... posted on Jun 19, 9078 reads

School Strike for Climate Change
At a young age, Greta Thunberg realized that all of the facts and solutions about how to stop climate change are known. But why aren't we applying this knowledge in order to make a difference? At age 15, Greta started a school strike outside the Swedish Parliament. While many people tell her that she should be in school or that she should study to be a climate scientist, Greta believes that if nob... posted on May 30, 1802 reads

Helping Hospitals Discover the Person Within the Patient
"Bob Hall was recovering from yet another surgery when the volunteer first walked into his hospital room. It was March 2014, and unfortunately Hall had been in and out of the hospital quite a bit. It had been a rocky recovery since his lung transplant, three months earlier, at the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital in Madison, WI. But the volunteer wasn't there to check on his lungs o... posted on Jun 10, 4762 reads

Island of Plenty
Eva and her family live an isolated life on the remote island of Stra Dmun, in the middle of the North Atlantic Sea, with the occasional helicopter visit their only connection to the outside world. While they are geographically isolated, Eva states that she never feels lonely. Eight generations of her family have lived on this island, with children seeing first hand the full cycle of life all arou... posted on Jun 21, 3653 reads

Uncomfortable Place of Uncertainty
"We weren't trained to admit we don't know. Most of us were taught to sound certain and confident, to state our opinion as if it were true. We haven't been rewarded for being confused. Or for asking more questions rather than giving quick answers. We've also spent many years listening to others mainly to determine whether we agree with them or not. We don't have time or interest to sit and listen ... posted on Jul 9, 9713 reads

Time for the Wild
In a short and strikingly beautiful cinematic journey to wild places we are asked to think about how we are leaving the natural world for generations to come. What if our children's children could never lay eyes on wild country because it is already destroyed? Spending time in the wild is not a past-time, the narrator tells us, rather it is a biological necessity like water, air and food. The vide... posted on Jul 31, 2389 reads

Working for Peace in a Violent World
"The work of Joseph Campbell and countless others makes it clear that the destructive aspects of the world, and the knowledge that each of us will die, has forever been a deep challenge to reconcile with a celebration of life. It's not getting easier. There's a web of relationships in a globalized world that make it difficult to live without being destructive. Even when sincerely striving to be pe... posted on Aug 5, 6736 reads

A Green Approach to Gun Control
"Tajinder Singh, 47, a farmer in the North Indian state of Punjab, applied for a gun license. He told the authorities that he needed a revolver for self-defense. While tending to his 20 acres of land, he often had to walk long hours to reach home after nightfall. He wanted to protect himself from wild animals and bands of armed robbers. Once the background checks were completed in June this year, ... posted on Aug 10, 4971 reads