Archived Articles

The Guest House

The Guest House Elizabeth PyjovOriginally posted 01 Jun 2014 This beautiful poem by 13th century Sufi poet Jelaluddin Rumi, translated by Coleman Barks, captures the spirit

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Compassion Meditation for Kids

Research indicates that compassionate children become caring and optimistic adults. Compassion can be cultivated through formal meditation techniques. Below is a modification of the classic compassion meditation, designed to appeal to kids.

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10 Science-Based Reasons Why Compassion is Hot

Science tells us compassion is good for our health, and we know that helping others makes us feel good, but sometimes it feels like there just aren’t enough hours in the day. There is so much to do, can I possibly find time to contribute? Yes! In minutes, at no or low cost, and from your desk, you can contribute.

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Lovingkindness by Sharon Salzberg

Lovingkindness: TheRevolutionary Art of Happiness is a must-read for those interested in well-being and fulfillment. Author and meditation teacher Sharon Salzberg explains important Buddhist concepts like compassion (karuna) and lovingkindness (metta).

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Interbeing

This is an excerpt from Thich Nhat Hanh’s book “Peace Is Every Step: The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life.”

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20 Scientific Reasons to Start Meditating Today

I started meditating soon after 9/11. I was living in Manhattan, an already chaotic place, at an extremely chaotic time. I realized I had no control over my external environment. But the one place I did have a say over was my mind, through meditation.

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Woods – Short Story

Shire awoke with the rising sun. How natural, he thought. Camping deep in the woods for some time he had rediscovered himself within nature. Quiet. Alone. No longer an observer, he perceived himself with nature and sensed his oneness in it. Walking at times he lost all awareness and for moments simply was… the woods.

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From Iciness to Warmth

Some of the best movies have no villain and no hero. In director Steve McQueen’s film “Shame” (2011), the main character is neither. McQueen does not rely on the simplistic plot twist of the victim/villain/hero triangle, and it is unclear who plays which role.

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Perspectives on Philanthropy

Dan Pallotta’s recent TEDTalk “The Way We Think About Charity is Dead Wrong” reminded me of a number of problems that I have witnessed in the common attitude toward funding and philanthropy.

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Living with Disability

People with disabilities are rarely seen in a positive light. Life following a disability is often only linked to the negative, such as ignition of others’ fears (1), concerns about one’s own human fragility (2), or worry over what others might think if seen or associated with a person with disability (1).

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Guided by the Alphabet

A brief period of meditation and contemplation each morning can serve to put the daily stresses of life into perspective. Each morning and sometimes throughout the day, I go through a mnemonic which I have found very useful.

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The Compassionate Mind

Decades of clinical research has focused and shed light on the psychology of human suffering. That suffering, as unpleasant as it is, often also has a bright side to which research has paid less attention: compassion.

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Shared Humanity in Hard Times

The horrific deeds in Newtown, the death of Ravi Shankar, Lady Katherine Middleton’s morning sickness, landmines killing girls in Afghanistan, the arthritis in my hip, my grandmother’s 94th birthday…

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Kristin Neff’s Self-Compassion

Kristin neff’s self-compassion Mathew Skinta Originally posted 16 Sep 2013 Self-Compassion: Stop Beating Yourself Up and Leave Insecurity Behind is a wonderfully accessible, personal journey through research

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Trusting Relationships

Trusting Relationships Scott Kriens  Originally posted 16 Sep 2013 Even if we can’t count it, we all know compassion is real. We’ve all felt its

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Why Should We Care

Why should we care Paul Anderson & Sarah Konrath  Originally posted 16 Sep 2013 Picture a college student appealing for a higher grade in his

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Building Compassion in Banking

Building COMPASSION IN Banking Daniel Martin & Bruce Cahan  Originally posted 16 Sep 2013 David Brooks recently shared a conversation with a bank CEO. Economists

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