How to ensure that anger is constructive, not destructive
We all sometimes encounter injustice and brutality, as when we see police excesses against the helpless. If such experiences make us feel outraged, that is [...]
How to hold others accountable without becoming judgmental
Suppose police remain silent while a rioting mob lynches hapless victims. For such an alarming dereliction of duty, the police need to be held accountable. [...]
Are emotions subjective or objective?
Our emotions shape us significantly. What enlivens us, what enrages us, what enchants us — all this reveals who we are. What triggers attraction in [...]
Why we prefer outer news to inner news?
By exploring our inner world and learning about ourselves, we can better tap our abilities and increase our contributions. This is far more beneficial than [...]
From outer news to inner news
In today’s digitally-connected world, our devices inform us instantaneously of news from all over the world. Additionally, we are socially expected to be aware of [...]
Conflict resolution – Right or Rightly Directed?
When we disagree with someone, we often seek to prove not just that we are right, but also that they are wrong. Actually however, their [...]
The more we are emotional the less emotions we have and the more our emotions have us
Emotions bring life to our life — if we had to live like emotionless robots, there wouldn’t be much to look forward to in our [...]
The mind demands that others leave us alone and then complains they don’t care for us
Suppose someone who we care for is going through difficulties. When we try to help them, they demand from us, “Leave me alone”, but then [...]
If we start dwelling on whatever our mind is thinking, our thinking starts stinking
Suppose something is stinking in our home. We will immediately find and remove it. We need to do the same when our thinking starts stinking. [...]
The more outer power we get, the more inner power we need
Today technology has increased enormously the outer power accessible to us humans. By a few clicks, we can change the temperature around us, talk with [...]
To be truly non-judgmental, stop being judgmental about those who are judgmental
If we are judgmental, we make snap judgments about people. We blame them for actions that were almost inevitable for them given their circumstances which [...]
Condescension looks down at others while laughing at them; compassion lifts others up while laughing with them
Suppose someone walking on a road slips and falls into a manhole. If onlookers laugh without helping, that would be terrible. To laugh at others [...]
Showing others how they are wrong is not compassion, seeing how they can help themselves become more right is
If we see someone in trouble, we may naturally want to help them. And if they are in trouble because of something that they are [...]
The mind makes the uncomfortable seem unbearable and then makes us do the unconscionable
The mind makes the uncomfortable seem unbearable and then makes us do the unconscionable Suppose someone lives in a place with uncomfortably hot weather. If [...]
We don’t owe our friends a positive response, but we do owe them a sensitive response
We don’t owe our friends a positive response but we do owe them a sensitive response Suppose we try something creative for the first time [...]
The causes of anger rarely hurt us as much as the consequences of anger
The causes of anger rarely hurt us as much as the consequences of anger Suppose someone insults us. Feeling angry, we lash out at them. [...]
Before a prescription can inspire action, the diagnosis must inspire conviction
Before a prescription can inspire action the diagnosis must inspire conviction When we are in a position of guiding others, we sometimes find that people [...]
What the mind makes us do would be comic if its consequences were not so tragic
In some comedy shows, some people do stunningly stupid things, repeatedly. Seeing their stupidity can be hilarious. Sadly, many people’s real lives are not much [...]
To be compassionate, be both caring and careful
To be compassionate be both caring and careful Suppose a doctor is asked to travel to an epidemic zone to treat patients. To take up [...]
Mind your mind to know when it is in order, when on the border and when out of order
Mind your mind to know when it is in order when on the border and when out of order Suppose we use a laptop for [...]
Don’t use others to feel better about yourself learn from others how to become better
Don’t use others to feel better about yourself learn from others how to become better When we are distressed, we often need someone to unburden [...]