Blog
Wisdom from Tagore for transcending foolish polarization
December 15, 2014
Rabindranath Tagore (1861-1941) 1909 When perspectives clash, we do well to keep three dimensions in mind: affirming our common humanity, trying to understand our differences, and cherishing the unique personality of every individual. To disparage the notion of a common humanity (since it is so differently conceived from one culture to another) and to overlook the unique individual (since individuals are more typical than they suspect), and to consider people only in terms such as… Read More
Be perfect. Here’s a short path.
December 11, 2014
During the solitude of the morning came a moment of abject humiliation. It was ugly, but it revealed a new depth of need for personal growth—an opportunity not to pass up. So I prayed for help and sought to learn whatever I could. The line that came to mind was, “Be you perfect.” For the first time I thought through an approach to that invitation. First of all, be. This involves letting go of overactive… Read More
Political silence and political wisdom
December 8, 2014
Some religious leaders provide leadership on disputed social, economic, and political questions; others do not. Jesus did not. The hot political topic in his day had to do with loyalty to the rule of the Roman government. Jesus’ enemies tried to trap him by posing the question to Jesus whether we should pay taxes to Caesar. If Jesus said “No,” then he would have gotten himself in trouble with the Roman authorities. If Jesus said… Read More
Simplicity in philosophical and artistic living
December 4, 2014
When the complexity and demands of modern life press in upon us, many of us yearn for simplicity. We look at the clutter and wonder what we can throw out; we look at our list of commitments and wonder what we can eliminate. I came up with a different approach last week, and it has begun to pay some dividends. Simplicity is a quality of artistic living. When clutter and agenda items press in,… Read More
Inner health
December 1, 2014
The past year has taught me much about healing, not instant and total healing, but getting better. The medical things I deal with are not major, though inflammation of the bladder was of serious concern a year ago. My experiences of healing have given me a new perspective on health with implications for other areas of life as well. A year ago I was blessed to find a new urologist, Dr. Kalish Kedia, one of… Read More
Conclusion, putting the pieces together
November 27, 2014
On this thanksgiving day, I wish to express my gratitude to all who have participated in this weblog during its first months. Thanksgiving is an act of acknowledging something good for which others are responsible. Values, as we are normally busy with them are material and intellectual/cultural. One way of expressing the goal of this philosophy is that we become better able to discern the gleam of divine truth, beauty, and/or goodness in these everyday… Read More
From breakthroughs to character strengths
November 24, 2014
Team practice Have you ever experienced a community where character growth was expected and effectively supported? If how, what do you do—or could you do—to promote such an environment in communities that you are part of? This philosophy of living addresses individuals, not social systems. It harmonizes with a phrase from the Confucian classic, The Great Learning: If there is righteousness in the heart, there will be beauty in the character. If there… Read More
Is it possible to love yourself fully?
November 20, 2014
Woman photographing herself in a mirror Have you tried to love yourself? What has been your experience? I am into love now like never before in my life. I neither love myself nor try to love myself. I have heard some people say that they love themselves, and more who express frustration about trying to love themselves. Here’s a reflection that finds meaning in what the first group says and has a proposal for both… Read More
From love’s way of simplicity to paths of thoroughness with Stephen G. Post and Thomas Aquinas
November 17, 2014
Love’s simplicity unfolds into a multiplicity. There is a long-standing discussion about different types of love. If divine love (agape) has the primacy that we have suggested, then we could say that divine love can be expressed in friendship (philia) and in a romantic bond (eros). In friendship or romance there may arise a center of gravity that competes with divine love; but friendship and erotic attraction are part of the Creator’s plan, and… Read More