Recently one of the members of our Metta team, Stephanie, came across a fascinating article by Peter Miller from National Geographic about so-called “swarm theory”. It’s the theory that for some species such as bees, ants, fish, caribou, or birds, group intelligence dominates behavior rather than individual intelligence. This group intelligence has proven to be… read more
Posts by Metta Center
Commitment #3: Risking My Significance
Commitment #3: Risking my Significance: Even when I am full of doubt, I want to offer myself in full to the world. If I find myself thinking that I am not important or that my actions are of no significance, I want to seek support to come back to my knowledge that… read more
Commitment 2: Full Emotional Range
Commitment #2: Openness to the Full Emotional Range Even when my feelings are uncomfortable for me, I want to stay present with myself and keep my heart open to the fullness of my emotional experience. If I find myself shrinking away from my experience, getting numb or shut down, I want to seek support… read more
Season for Nonviolence: Daily Reflections
COURAGE “I can shake off everything if I write; my sorrows disappear, my courage is reborn.” -Anne Frank When you discover that everyone is contained in you and you are contained in everyone, you have realized the unity of life, which is the divine ground of existence. Then you are not just a person; you… read more
Commitment #1: Openness to Myself
Commitment #1: Openness to Myself Even when I act in ways I really don’t like, I want to keep my heart open to myself. If I find myself in self-judgment, I want to seek support to reconnect with myself. It is not humanly possible to live all of the commitments 100% of the time. They can point… read more
All-in: Fully Committing to a Life of Nonviolence
A METTA mini-series for daily living Conceived and birthed by Miki Kashtan, Ph.D. Gandhi spoke about applying nonviolence in thought, word, and action. I have found that applying nonviolence becomes progressively more difficult the closer it is to thought. Many more people can refrain from physically violent acts than from using the language of judgments,… read more
Join us at the Documentary “Until the Violence Stops”
The Metta Center will be at a showing of “Until the Violence Stops” powered by V-Day: a movement to end violence against women. WHEN: February 3rd, 2013 WHERE: La Dolce Vita Wine Bar – 151 Petaluma Blvd South Petaluma, CA TIME: Doors open at 6pm. The film will begin at 6:30pm. COST: There will be a… read more
One Billion Rising- February 14th 12-9pm
The Metta Center will have a table in support of One Billion Rising on February 14th from 5-9pm. The inside events will be held at the Petaluma Community Center, Luchessi Center. Here is some information from the One Billion Rising website: ONE IN THREE WOMEN ON THE PLANET WILL BE RAPED OR BEATEN IN HER… read more
Self-Organization in the Cosmos and in Our Lives
by Kari Risher, Metta Research Fellow Our world is increasingly devastated by environmental degradation, hunger crises, and violent battles over ever-diminishing resources. We see the effects of a decaying fabric of life in the global economic recession, erratic climate patterns, and the epidemic of depression among industrialized populations. It seems at times that “the machine”… read more
Cooperation Among Yeast Cells Yields Unexpected Benefits
By Kari Risher Metta Research Fellow Any human among us can intuitively observe that, as we cooperate with others to serve the needs of our communities rather than ourselves as individuals, we reap social benefits that may not always be quantifiable. As we gain a reputation for being helpful, we are naturally liked and supported… read more
