Love

To feel true love for another is to feel the presence of the Source.

Heartlessness

Heartlessness eventually and inevitably leads to self-destruction. (Ex 7:14)

Great Warriors

Great warriors stand their ground; they do not initiate conflict.

Last words of a Hero: General Hermann Henning von Tresckow

These are the last words of German General Hermann Henning von Tresckow, spoken on July 21, 1944, when he learned in Bialystock that the plot to assassinate Hitler had failed. He committed suicide immediately afterward.

“The whole world will vilify us now, but I am still totally convinced that we did the right thing. Hitler is the archenemy not only of Germany but of the world. When, in few hours’ time, I go before God to account for what I have done and left undone, I know I will be able to justify what I did in the struggle against Hitler. God promised Abraham that He would not destroy Sodom if just ten righteous men could be found in the city, and so I hope that for our sake God will not destroy Germany. No one among us can complain about his death, for whoever joined our ranks put on the shirt of Nessus. A man’s moral worth is established only at the point where he is ready to give up his life in defense of his convictions.”

In Greek mythology the Shirt of Nessus refers to a poisonous shirt that killed Hercules.

Compassion

We all have wounds we carry around with us. Awareness of this should make us much more compassionate to one another.

Our Greatest Accomplishments

Our greatest accomplishments are invisible to the eye, but felt by the heart and mind.

History in our Cells

Each person contains the history and memory of the species and the planet in his or her cells.

Actors on a Stage

We’re all actors on a stage, each of us with our assigned role. Waking up means taking a place in the audience to see this.

Healing the Pain of Our Ancestors and Parents

Torah teaches us to heal the pain of our ancestors and parents: Abraham for Terah, Jacob for Isaac and Rebecca, Joseph and his brothers for Jacob, Moses for Abraham and Sarah, Joshua for Moses, and we for our own.

Self-Interest and World Repair

The Source implanted self-interest in humans in order that they might be able to repair the world.

Hermit Crabs as Social Networkers

http://tuftsjournal.tufts.edu/2010/05_2/features/02/

This is pretty cool: Hermit crabs and human beings as social networkers.

Learning from each Person

There is always something to learn in every place and from every person.

Love Your Neighbor

“Love your neighbor as yourself.” “Yourself” is not your I, but your divine spark, the authentic you. (Lev 19:18)

Anxiety

Anxiety: millennial residue; protection, also subversion; when transformed, a gateway to self-discovery, community renewal.

Learning Another Language

Learning another language is an acting exercise. You practice feeling yourself in another’s skin and move to a new beat.

How to Build Neighborhoods

What if we built our neighborhoods around curves rather than straight lines?

You and I

You and I: Where does one end and the other begin?

Rivalry

Rivalry misdirected leads to chaos. Rivalry channeled leads to civilization. Rivalry transformed leads to a new dawn.

Meaningful Conversation

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/03/17/talk-deeply-be-happy/
Substantive conversation and talking deeply leads to greater happiness. I have always seen meaningful discussion as the core of teaching and wisdom (which should be the goal of all learning)

When We Change

When we change, others change. When we heal, others heal. When we love, others love.

Freedom

Freedom is the choice to take the keys out of our pockets to unlock the chains we have placed on ourselves.

Memory

Everything will be forgotten.  Nothing will be forgotten.

When the Ground Shakes

When the ground shakes beneath us, look inward.  There is our foundation.

Meeting People

Meet people where they are rather than where you would like them to be.

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