How to use the material to reach the spiritual?
Suppose we received a large sum of money as inheritance. If we were prudent, we would invest it wisely to create something of sustainable value. [...]
How to protect ourselves from the wrong the wrong-headed and the wrong-hearted
How to protect ourselves from the wrong the wrong-headed and the wrong-hearted - Suppose someone gives others wrong advice. Why might they do so? Because [...]
How to plan in a mood of devotion?
How to plan in a mood of devotion? - When we make plans and they don’t work, it’s easy to get frustrated. We may think [...]
Are we boosting our thought-energy regularly?
Are we boosting our thought-energy regularly? - Our car runs on fuel, our phone runs on battery, our body runs on food. What do [...]
When we feel worthless …
When we feel worthless - Suppose we find ourselves trapped in a dark dungeon. We struggle in vain to pry out the rocks from a [...]
Are we making things worse than they need to be?
Are we making things worse than they need to be?- Suppose we find ourselves in a place with fading light. Naturally, we will open our [...]
When is fearlessness a facade for foolishness?
When is fearlessness a facade for foolishness?- Suppose a child goes dangerously close to the parapet of a skyscraper. When his mother warns him, “Move [...]
Why seeking something worthwhile is better than seeking something wonderful
Why seeking something worthwhile is better than seeking something wonderful - Suppose we want to write a best-selling book. Suppose further we start worrying that [...]
The easiest way to fail is the worst way to fail
The easiest way to fail is the worst way to fail - Suppose we attempt something challenging and fail. We may feel disappointed, even devastated. [...]
When the urgent seems important and makes us impotent
When the urgent seems important and makes us impotent - Suppose we have ten urgent things to do that all seem equally important. If these [...]
Why our energy goes down — and how to restore it
Why our energy goes down — and how to restore it - Suppose our energy level starts dropping while we strive to manage our many [...]
Who is at fault = who is responsible?
Who is at fault = who is responsible? - Suppose while we are working from home, we see from a window our neighbor’s son playing [...]
Three kinds of negative thinking — and why they all aren’t undesirable
Three kinds of negative thinking — and why they all aren’t undesirable - Nowadays, negative thinking is often criticized. However, what that term means is [...]
When positive thinking affects our life negatively
When positive thinking affects our life negatively - “Think positively,” is an oft-circulated message in our self-help steeped culture. And it’s helpful to the extent [...]
Are soldiers heroes or victims?
Are soldiers heroes or victims? - In many traditions, warriors were often praised as heroes; in much postmodern thought, they are often seen as victims. [...]
Is war evil?
War often has terrible consequences. Seeing these consequences, some people deem war itself evil. Such pronouncements can help if they counter the unhealthy glamorization of [...]
Why helping others doesn’t always help others
Why helping others doesn't always help others - Suppose a person had a severe accident that immobilized them for a long time. As they recover, [...]
Why imposing equality backfires?
Why imposing equality backfires? - Suppose a class teacher resolves to do away with all inequality in students’ marks. So they decide to average the [...]
Justice or just is?
Suppose a ship with three hundred people is hit by an iceberg and starts sinking. Suppose further that it only has life-saving equipment for a [...]
Winning whining wining — or worshiping?
Suppose we strive to do something challenging. If we win, our mind becomes jubilant; if we don't, it often goes into a zone of negativity, [...]
Compassionate action = compassionate disposition?
Suppose a doctor is treating a patient competently, but with the sole motive of earning money. Though the activity is compassionate, the mood isn’t compassionate. [...]