Like every woman I know, I’m baffled by the Supreme Court nomination/confirmation process in the United States. I’ve run the gamut of emotions; I’ve traveled the peaks and valleys. I am, like far too many women I know, a survivor. It took me many years to be able to acknowledge it, let alone say anything… read more
In response to an email proposal I sent her, Leentje Visser suggested we meet at a local café that makes its own chocolate and whose menu includes tropical vegan smoothies. As a big fan of scrumptiously nutritious goodies, I was in no way going to turn away an invite like that (heck no!) So Leentje… read more
I’m not one to make New Year’s resolutions, but I am a big fan of daily resolve. Each day brings the opportunity to reflect on where we’ve been, to renew our intentions and ideals. Flowers that gently bust through concrete is an apt visual of resolve: lay down your roots, stay determined and you’ll get… read more
In his 1978 essay “The New Story: Comments on The Origination and Transmission of Values,” Thomas Berry essentially coined the term “the New Story.” In that essay, he spoke of a troubling disregard of the earth by both religion and science. “The earth will not be ignored, nor will it long endure being despised, neglected,… read more
This past weekend, the Metta Center hosted our Person-Power Yoga Retreat. As a yoga teacher, I’m constantly exploring links between our individual mind-body health and societal health. I had planned to speak about creating greater peace and happiness within ourselves and around us by consciously hacking our nervous systems. Toward the end of the retreat,… read more
What the world needs most at this time is free human beings—for each and every one of us to fully realize that we’re not mere consumers, or wage/wealth slaves, or pawns in geopolitical games; that we’re free to find peace and happiness. That we’re free to love ourselves, as we are. That we’re free to… read more
“The greatest gift of art is that it can give people permission to think differently, to alter both consciousness and conscience,” says Robert Shetterly. “Well-made art authenticates its own message. We can’t have enough good art.” Robert is a self-taught visual artist and a writer and cultural change agent. His painting of humane educator Zoe… read more
Our in-depth weekend retreat integrates yoga, meditation, and nonviolence to create a powerful approach to personal and social change. Where: Mount Madonna Center, Watsonville, CA Hosted by a team of peacebuilders from the Metta Center: Michael Nagler, Stephanie Van Hook, Stephanie Knox-Cubbon, Kimberlyn David This integrative, practical, and educational yoga retreat is open to everyone… read more
As a former media junkie, I often feel split between complaining about corporate media and cheerleading them on when they put their all into serving as watchdogs. Here’s my latest schism between exasperation and celebration: Exasperation: Why does the International New York Times co-organize the Oil & Money conference? What does this media corporation get… read more
Old Paradigm Authority says: I have power over you, and you must do what I say. I am in control, and if you don’t obey my orders, I will punish you, by brute force if that’s what it takes for me to maintain power over you. To keep order, we must control “the masses.” Our… read more
