Learning what it means to take a deliberate step back from our reactions to life is the same as learning to walk past those parts of us that want us to believe our only choices in that moment are those presented to us from the content of these reactions.

Classroom Talk: 7/24/2019 Part 1: In this world, in time, perfection is the ceaseless integration and transcendence of the imperfection inherent in all things created. Temptation is the futile -- and always painful -- attempt to prove that this perfection can be known before it's revealed. Part 2: Every form of verbalizing -- said aloud, or taken in thought...

Why is it so hard to let go of resentment of things past? So often I find myself consumed with resentment and self-righteousness about something or someone, yet at the same time feel miserable because I really don't want to keep thinking these thoughts. What is the way out?...

One of the reasons we like falling in love - or meeting and making new friends - is that these relationships come with little to no baggage. But while these new relationships come with no troublesome backstory...it isn't too long before they start to look - and feel - very similar to all of our other relationships. Like some plague we can see our "old story" sweep in and start to overwrite wh...

Our experience of each moment -- for its pleasure or pain, peace or trouble -- is a direct reflection of what we are in relationship with in the present.

As unbelievable as it may seem... The reason that we find ourselves re-living so many moments we swear we don’t want... is because we keep talking to ourselves about them!

What can I do to stop living in the past? My main goal in life is to be as happy as possible. What would be the one thing I could do over and over again every day to achieve this goal? I think I'm in love with by "chatter-brain." When I do come awake to the present moment, thought does stop. It's extraordinary, but before I know it, I'm jabbering on again. My noisy mind must be what I pref...

Topics covered: Relationships help people discover hidden aspects of themselves; Most suffering comes from unconscious expectations and demands; Negative emotional reactions are conditioned responses from the past; Become curious, not furious; Childhood trauma and chaotic environments condition the brain to expect danger; People often unconsciously recreate familiar emotional pain because it feels psychologically familiar...