Many mornings, I pause as I step outside to feel the air. Lately it has been cool and fresh. This planet is so full of beauty—and so much of our future, from the climate crisis to AI, is being decided now.
One of the great gifts of spiritual practice is the deep knowing that another way is possible. With so much injustice in this world, I feel sobered by the immense harm humans cause, and also encouraged by the goodness in our hearts.
As the ground shifts beneath our feet, we can each find ways to steady ourselves, to recollect that we are loved and held by this earth and one another. We can slow down, breathe, and find the courage to do what matters most.
First, here are two recent teachings to help buoy your spirits:
Touching Compassion: A guided meditation on finding a strong, caring balance between pulling away from suffering and falling into it.
The Atmosphere of our Practice: Watch or listen to this Dharma Talk on how Metta practice gathers, heals, and liberates us.
Next, my six-week online course Wise Communication: Transforming the Roots of Relationships begins Thursday, October 15, with live sessions from 4:00 - 5:30pm PT (all recorded). There’s still time to register, and scholarships are available.
If you’d like to deepen your practice of speaking with courage and care, I’d be glad for you to join me.
Finally, if you live in the United States, please vote by November 3 (earlier if you can), and encourage others to do so as well. Voting connects us to one another, and to the truth that every person and all life matters. It’s one simple, direct way to honor our interdependence.
The stakes are high in this election, and small increases in voter turnout can make a crucial difference. If you’re interested, you can find non-partisan ways to support voting here.
Thanks for reading and for doing all that you do. It’s meaningful for me to stay connected in this way.