Meditation in Troubled Times

Meditation in Troubled Times

Meditation in Troubled Times

By Norman Fischer

There’s an old Zen saying: “The world is topsy-turvy.”

Who is not aware of this today? The state of the world is painful to everyone. The world careens onward in its topsy-turvy course, causing a pervasive sense of inward dread many of us can’t afford to entertain.

No wonder so many of us are in denial, whether subscribing to fanaticism, lunatic politics, addictions, or simply unplugging from the disturbing news of ecological crisis or economic woes. Deep down we all know the fix we’re in, but we can’t afford to face it. It’s just too much.

Is there a way we can digest, hold, and live with the scale of our current problems?

Meditation practice makes denial impossible and truth sustainable.

 

2023 Global Peace Index

2023 Global Peace Index

2023 Global Peace Index

ICELAND #1 Peaceful Country in the World

Iceland remains the most peaceful country in the world, according to the 2023 Global Peace Index.

The 2023 Global Peace Index released its annual ranking of the most peaceful countries in the world.

Iceland has retained its No. 1 spot since the index premiered 17 years ago and remains ahead of the pack. It’s a very safe, friendly country, and its breathtaking landscapes of glowing volcanoes, thermal springs, towering geysers and rocky coastline make it the perfect travel destination for the outdoorsy adventurer. Make sure to catch a view of the Northern Lights and go on a whale-watching tour.

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How Can We Make Politics Less Hostile

How Can We Make Politics Less Hostile

Curiosity Quiz…

Do you seek deeper understanding of yourself, others, and the world? 

How curious are you, really?

Curiosity, the search for understanding, is about more than just learning new information for trivia night. When you direct it toward exploring yourself or others in a deeper way, it can become a force for connection and transformation in your life. 

Curiosity Quiz

Curiosity Quiz

Curiosity Quiz…

Do you seek deeper understanding of yourself, others, and the world? 

How curious are you, really?

Curiosity, the search for understanding, is about more than just learning new information for trivia night. When you direct it toward exploring yourself or others in a deeper way, it can become a force for connection and transformation in your life. 

Ethics and Emptiness

Ethics and Emptiness

Ethics and Emptiness | A Conversation with Diane Musho Hamilton

“Making Sense” | Podcast with Sam Harris

Sam speaks with mediator and Zen teacher Diane Musho Hamilton. They discuss Diane’s “powerful confrontation with life and death” as a teenager; her experience studying with Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche and Genpo Roshi; the all-too-frequent disconnect between spiritual insight and ethical behavior; recognizing vs. learning dharma;

transmuting vs. relinquishing emotional energy; the growth model vs. the awakening model of personal development; the possibility and promise of stabilizing non-dual insight; the moral importance of conceptual knowledge; psychedelics; meditation instructors vs. conventional gurus; mental states vs. psychological traits; the liability of spiritual teachers as organizational leaders; the power of cultural incentives; and other topics.

Philopher, neuroscientist and celebrated speaker Sam Harris, is the author of five New York Times best sellers. 

On Science & Spirituality

On Science & Spirituality

The Reverend Norman Hull, chaplain at Campbell Hall in southern California and CSE fellow, has recently written a reflection on his work encouraging middle school students to share their spirituality through the school’s Chapel program. As Norman describes, “A 6th-grade boy reflected in chapel on his love of science by saying, ‘In science there is always a new challenge and something new to do and that is what keeps it interesting. He went on to connect the Bible message from Isaiah to his homily by saying that, ‘it reminds me of how God’s ways are more spectacular than our ways and this connects to my love of science because with science you can understand so much, but there’s always so much more you can’t understand.’ When students realize that there is so much they don’t know, they are tapping into the mystery and sacredness of life.” Norman’s reflection for the National Association of Episcopal Schools Chaplain’s Blog, “Connections Between Spirituality, Chapel and the Classroom,” can be found can be found HERE.