• The right tension

    Issue № 143

    The right tension

    Is this tension serving me? If you’re just reacting to whatever life throws at you, then any armchair philosophizing about life’s purpose or finding your Life’s Work is, frankly, pointless. I’m not criticizing going through life in reacting mode; if one is crushed by situation or station, then you necessarily have your work cut out…

  • Sight

    Issue № 142

    Sight

    Can we invite insight instead of chasing it? I’m struck often by interesting relationships between how words are spelled and their meaning. Taken literally, the meaning of “sight” is what our eyes normally do, and things which can be seen are “in sight.” Now consider “insight,” which is about apprehending some new (to us) idea.…

  • Acceptance

    Issue № 141

    Acceptance

    How does acceptance transform us? In today’s world, rarely is anyone actually listening. Everything is intentionally distracting. Everything clamors for our attention. That makes what should be the “simple” act of listening into something profound. The results of fully listening are profound and couldn’t be more relevant today in times of immense distractions and a…

  • Eudaimonia

    Issue № 140

    Eudaimonia

    What makes a fulfilling life? It’s a mistake to continue doing something solely to extend the streak of doing. Longevity can be a sign of value, but it isn’t inherently valuable. I’m more interested in noticing that it was only just a year ago that I moved all of this to its own web site,…

  • Personal progress

    Issue № 139

    Personal progress

    Where does real progress begin? So much is written and discussed about history: recording it, studying it, learning (or not) from it, does it repeat or rhyme, etc. But why don’t more people talk about each of our personal histories? If progress is real despite our whining, it is not because we are born any healthier, better,…

  • The courage to wait

    Issue № 138

    The courage to wait

    Can we simply wait? There’s something wonderful in the moments we don’t understand. It can be a bit of conversation, a moving image, or even just a thought. This week, I’ve been thinking about waiting—waiting for something to happen, for understanding, for serenity. I always feel a tension to hurry through the waiting, as if…

  • This is enough

    Issue № 137

    This is enough

    Can we choose attentiveness? I’ve spent my lifetime seeking: knowledge, control, achievement, clarity. Finally, I began to wonder—and have subsequently become convinced—that life is not about seeking. It’s about noticing what’s already here, and being honest about the tradeoffs I’m making with my time, attention, and effort. ‘Dagon’ has all the elements of a classic…

  • In search of meaning

    Issue № 136

    In search of meaning

    Can we create meaning through language, learning, and daily practice? The search for meaning is clearly universal. It may take us a few decades before we begin, but we do eventually take that first step in our search. And one of my goals as the communicator is to make it as easy as possible for…

  • Cherishing dignity

    Issue № 135

    Cherishing dignity

    Shall we cherish dignity in our high-tech world? Everything is fun, until one’s expectations are crushed. I thought I was getting the convenience of online shopping for things that were previously literally unavailable. Instead, the local stores closed and I’ve lost the convenience of local purchasing. I thought I was getting expanded communication via email.…

  • Festina lente

    Issue № 134

    Festina lente

    What is the role of patience? This week I’m thinking about patience. I’m thinking about being patient with others, of course. But mostly I’m thinking about being patient with myself. Stop rushing through the current moment—the next moment is not guaranteed, so enjoy this one. I’ve been trying to stop thinking about the things I…