Life On Autopilot Or Manual

Who’s in control? An episode in the PBS series, Hacking Your Mind, addresses the question: How Do Governments Hack Your Mind. In it, host Jacob Ward cited studies that show “We are not who we think we are… We think our conscious minds make most decisions, but in reality, we go through much of our […]

Parent As Teacher

Job one in a civil society The best kind of parent you can be is to lead by example. Drew Barrymore Every parent is a teacher. When a parent is loving and affectionate in both word and deed, the child learns. When they provide guidance and nurture the child’s health, education, socialization and interests, he […]

Indigenous Principles

The ways of harmony with nature and other human beings Until they were overpowered by warfare, ancient cultures developed worldviews, philosophies and lifestyles that were largely Earth-oriented and sustainable. While language, rituals and lifestyles differed across cultures, there was consistency in many of their beliefs. That these principles survive in places today is a testament […]

Children

Today’s playmates; tomorrow’s citizens and leaders. 2020 has been rough on all of us but especially kids. According to the National Library of Medicine (NIH), children were hit the hardest by psychosocial factors. “Being quarantined in homes and institutions may impose greater psychological burden than the physical sufferings caused by the virus. School closure, lack […]

Meaningful Human Connection

An antidote to polarization and violence A birthday celebration (Birthday girl not shown) I enjoyed Susan Vreeland’s novel Luncheon of the Boating Party so much I seriously considered a visit to The Phillips Collection in Washington, D.C.  to see Renoir’s painting by the same name. I didn’t go, but in visiting Vreeland’s website I found […]

Stillness

Inside and outside, it’s the place where peace resides Nothing in all creation is so like God as stillness.  — Meister Eckhart, Christian mystic Coming across this quote, I noticed that stillness has been and continues to be one of the prominent themes in my photography. When I go out with a camera, the word […]

Single-Mindedness

Stepping away from distraction and divided attention The light of the body is the eye; if, therefore, thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. — Jesus (Matthew 6:22)   To be whole, authentic, we’re advised to be single-minded—present in the light of Now, present in the light of consciousness. I […]

The Universe in a Chair

There’s more space than matter here, but the combination served a beautiful purpose. Photographed in Venice, Italy   When we look at a chair, we see the wood, but we fail to observe the tree, the forest, the carpenter or our own mind. When we meditate on it, we can see the entire universe in […]

Immigration and Assumptions

The assumptions we make have consequences Experiences, positive and negative, result in assumptions that drive policies, action and reactions, all of which have consequences for identity, for demonstrating—not just talking about—who we are as a people. A case in point is the current global immigration crisis. The purpose of this blog is to reflect and […]

A Paradigm Shift In Consciousness

Tenants of the shift to interdependence, unity and love Diverse cells rise, become illuminated and enter a circle of light, expanded consciousness. Higher yet is the Great Mystery where infinite potential resides. According to Mirriam-Webster Dictionary, a paradigm shift is an important change that happens when the usual way of thinking about or doing something […]