Mindfulness is the continuous observation of moment by moment internal and external experience, culminating in awakening to one’s true nature of pure awareness and happiness (also known as “Nirvana”) and elimination of dissatisfaction or suffering. It is the unifying thread of Buddhist teachings, which are a set of pragmatic, proven practices and not a specific […]
Less than a year ago, pandemics such as COVID-19 weren’t on my list (or hardly anyone else’s list) of “things that keep me up at night.” Climate change was on there but something else that should have been—“surveillance capitalism”—wasn’t even in my vocabulary. Across 2020 I’ve learned how pandemics, climate change, and surveillance capitalism—along with […]
“Mindful Activism” seeks to influence the adoption of policies that reduce the suffering caused by various injustices–and to do so in a compassionate, skillful manner. Such activism, in order to be successful, must first be about “being” before moving into “doing.” The “being” has to be continuously nourished, lest the “doing” lead to burnout, discouragement, […]
The ongoing impact of the systemic racism that has plagued our country since 1619 (long before we were even the “United States”) can be reduced through new laws, policies, and changes at every level of government. It can be lessened through criminal justice reforms, and the reversal of mass incarceration along with the cessation of […]
20 years ago today I graduated with a Master of Divinity from Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky, en route to just under four years of pastoral ministry in The United Methodist Church of Florida. I’m very grateful for my three years at Asbury. I had brilliant, dedicated professors, several close friends, loving mentors, and […]
Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) is the study of excellent communication and is often described as a “user manual for your conscious and unconscious mind.” It was developed by modeling strong communicators and therapists who got results with their clients. The authors of NLP: The Essential Guide to Neuro-Linguistic Programming write that NLP is “a revolutionary study […]
Buddhism is a practical, non-religious framework of practices that helps individuals increase happiness and decrease suffering. It’s more than 2,500 years old, is based on the teachings of Siddhartha Gautama, and its mindfulness meditation practices have been proven by modern neuroscience to transform our elastic brains in positive, sustainable ways that align with high levels […]
Non-Violent Communication (NVC) is a powerful tool for enhancing business and personal relationships. At a high-level, it involves the integration of four things: Consciousness: a set of principles that support living a life of compassion, collaboration, courage, and authenticity Language: understanding how words contribute to connection or distance Communication: knowing how to ask for what we […]
Before Coronavirus (or COVID-19), our interconnected world was already characterized by what many thought leaders have termed “VUCA”: Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity. This virus has placed VUCA on steroids, and each of us is being forced to radically reorient ourselves toward even the most mundane activities and expectations at an unprecedented scale and speed. […]
I turned 52 today. It’s kind of a strange, surreal number. Like many of you I feel “younger” inside. I’m not sure how much younger in particular, but I recognize familiar perspectives and instincts that have been with me for as long as I can remember. My ongoing personal growth and healing work is showing […]