The deeper science peers into the universe, whether it be the remotest reaches of space or the sea’s depths the more we must marvel at the intricate, subtle, and marvelous texture of reality. This study confirms for us once again that cooperation has been and remains a far more potent factor in life and evolution… read more
Posts by Prof. Michael Nagler
Women and Combat
by Michael Nagler, originally posted on Feb. 4, in Tikkun Daily. Alongside horrifying pictures from the New York Times showing very young boys being trained to fire assault rifles (“Selling a New Generation on Guns”) comes the news, welcome in some quarters, that Defense Secretary Leon Panetta has ordered the military to admit women to full combat… read more
Memorial for a Martyr
When I was studying ancient Greek history many (many) years ago, it dawned on me that a nation rises and falls on the way that it treats its outstanding people, who are often its most important critics. By this standard, and by many others, the vital signs of America are not encouraging. According to an… read more
Heeding the Warnings
Eknath Easwaran, the wisest man I had the privilege of knowing in my life, once said, “There is no nation, no matter how powerful, that cannot be destroyed by hate.” The latest tragedy – and I sincerely hope it will still be the latest when you read this – has been unparalleled in its violence. … read more
In response to the Newtown massacre: a spiritual practice
We have not used this blog heretofore to recommend a spiritual practice, but felt called upon to offer something to the many who have come to this site or otherwise contacted us. In the days to come, as we process our grief, there will inevitably be a current of fear that deters us perhaps from… read more
Grief is Not Enough
Originally posted at Tikkun Magazine: http://www.tikkun.org/tikkundaily/2012/12/15/grief-is-not-enough-reflections-on-the-connecticut-shooting/ “We are heartbroken, yes. But saying that will fix nothing. It won’t bring anyone back, and it won’t keep this from happening again.” This lament by Lisa Belkin in yesterday’s Huffington Post is self-evidently true. Our hearts have been broken over and over – at Columbine, in… read more
Gaza: A time to reflect
by Michael Nagler This partial check to the mad violence unleashed last week on Gaza, while it comes as a great relief to all of us, should also be an opportunity to refocus our determination that this violence stop happening, and never happen anywhere again. The big picture is this: we live in a violent… read more
Satyagraha victory in India
We are glad to announce that the first round of the Jan Satyagraha (‘People’s Satyagraha’) march of thousands of landless Indian farmers heading for Delhi has achieved its goal: a promise from Rural Development Minister Jairam Ramesh to institute land reform. Read the full story here.… read more
The “Real Wheel”
That man came back from South Africa, having realized God, and quietly set about solving every problem in the modern world. When Michael Nagler heard this quiet, dramatic statement by his meditation teacher, Sri Eknath Easwaran of the Blue Mt. Center of Meditation, it changed his life. These two pictures are an attempt to illustrate… read more
Compassion Research
This posting from the Greater Good Research Center at UC, Berkeley is a superb example of what Sudheendra Kulkarni calls “modern science’s unmistakable journey from man’s outer reality to his inner reality.” Kulkarni’s own book, The Music of the Spinning Wheel, argues that the internet, if properly handled, could be the equivalent of Gandhi’s charkha (!). Read… read more
