Hatred, violence, finger-pointing, and just plain suffering seem rampant these days, with religious belief systems often at the core. Wouldn't a true Christian or a true Muslim, or any other believer in God for that matter, be less self-serving and more kind and compassionate towards others, with the highest prayer being for the good of all? How is it that acts of darkness and pain directed...

Negative states are never positive; they seem to empower us in times of trial, but in truth they blind us, isolate us, and steal from us our right to see that we are never more powerless than when identified with any form of anxiety, anger, or fear.

To see that what makes unwanted moments feel so important to us can’t be separated from a powerful, but false sense of self provided by these same painful feelings... begins the process of separating ourselves from an unconscious self...

For too long we've believed that whatever limitation we meet in ourselves -- in some unwanted moment -- would not exist were it not for that same unwanted moment in which we meet it. It's just not true. The real limitation is how instantly identified we become with a fearful reaction "telling" us that we must escape that moment... at all costs. But, truth says otherwise...

It’s impossible to resist the revelations inherent in our day-to-day interactions with life, and to realize the lessons they bring with them at the same time.

Part 1: We have no choice but to relive our past until we are present enough to see that we are about to do so... and then, have enough presence to step off of that time line. Otherwise, we will continue to run in unseen circles. Part 2: Here's the real reason why the idea of "starting life over" rarely -- if ever -- actually leads one to realize a truly New Life: for most of us, the whole ide...

Question: Concerning verbal and emotional abuse by a spouse... how does one deal with intimidation, put downs, blaming, coercion, withholding of affection, threats, diverting, denial, not keeping agreements -- all happening in a cycle? I am unable to leave due to a medical condition that keeps me financially dependent. I want to evolve as much as possible in this life. I meditate regularly...

Question: I have been through hell, and what's kept me going is the inner knowing I have that there is another way of being. It's been challenging in the last few years to discuss this with others who judge that I am attracting and/or creating the pain and trauma. I sat with that belief for a long time, hoping to find my way through by seeing where I was "mis-creating." What I found was that...

If I ever needed higher help, I really need it now. When I came home yesterday from work I found that my wife had moved out and emptied the house. She and the children left without leaving a note or even letting me know where they are. This has been the worst year of my life, with money and children problems. Please help me. I am going crazy because I know I always did the right thing while we...

Whatever I endeavor to do spiritually, I find I have to almost fight with myself. I have always been a person of prayer and now am trying to look at self-love vs. self-hate and loathing. How do you pray without the stupid part of you screaming at you to shut up? These absurd thoughts while praying are so disturbing because I feel like I am losing touch with the Divine. Lately I have tried to j...

I am a minister and find your writing very true and helpful. The "toxic" person you speak of is truly damaging to healthy minds and bodies. This is my idea of one of the manifestations of "evil." I have tried to deal with this all my life with an older brother who is like a storm cloud on a beautiful day. He is so blasted negative! He comes around and sows doubt, despair, and hopelessness. He...

Outside of being a living example, what are the best ways to help children be awake and stay awake so they can avoid a lot of the traps that lull them into being less than true to themselves and keep them from drifting spiritually asleep? I try to teach them that love is not an affection you have for someone because of how they make you feel. I try to give them boundaries that are not based on...