Belief, when experienced as a teacher without a name, enables us to enliven a kinship between the living part and the living Whole. Such sustained care begins to heal us. With humility, it is not our place to denounce what others believe in, but to use the sincerity of their example as an encouragement to find our own particular inlets into the Mystery of Life. Ultimately, belief is a human inlet through which life-force visits us. It moves through us... Read more

Given that I almost died from cancer, I have had several attribute my survival to some deep wherewithal within me that crisis awakened. But humbly, I must clarify the resilience that helped save my life was not just some reservoir within me. It did not come from me alone. But through facing what was mine to face, I was given access to much more than me. I think this is the paradox about resilience. Only by being thoroughly and completely authentic... Read more

When we fell into the stream of days, my eyes were cleansed, your ears worn free. At first, it was an assault but what we’ve seen and heard since has made us thank the storm for its scouring.   It’s changed how we care, hasn’t it? Letting each other stay under so the stream and storm can do their work— not letting each other drown.   A Question to Walk With: Tell the story of a friendship you have and... Read more

We discover metaphors by surrendering our attention, by staying in honest conversation, and by listening to the quiet movements of life as they appear before us. Let me share a recent example. I was visiting Pine Manor in Lake Elsinore, CA, where I teach every year. My good friend Gail Warner founded and directs Pine Manor. She is an old, wise soul. I like to come a day early so that Gail and I can re-enter our lifelong conversation about... Read more

Now that I’ve come out of hiding, my fears are forgetting to be afraid.   Now that I’ve dropped my opinions in the rain, my story is too small to cover my heart.   Now that I’ve put down what I thought was important, I’m surprised by angels lost along the way.   How we got here doesn’t matter and where we’re going is just something for the mind to chew.   I’ll meet you here, in the palace that... Read more

Throughout history, those afraid of the life of feelings have undermined their power and dismissed their rightful role in experiencing truth. For much of my life, I’ve been called a Romantic, which is true, but not complete. It’s like defining the sea by its surface. Romantic is a term that has been diminished through the years. Today, it denotes a sentimental outlook on life fueled by unwarranted optimism. At heart, though, it has always been an outlook that assumes there’s... Read more

When the jar fell off the counter and broke, our dog went to lick up the honey but we were afraid she’d cut herself on the broken glass.   You kept her back while I swept up the slivers. Later that night, it occurred to me that this is what it is to be human: always going for the honey while tiptoeing around the glass.   The next week, it was so cold that ice stuck to our dog’s pads.... Read more

When finding my way, I came home from college to have a classic argument with my father. Over dinner the first night, I declared to him with excitement that I was a poet. I hadn’t yet written anything but knew it was true. He was incredulous and frustrated and loudly asked, “How are you going to make a living?” I’m not sure where it came from in me, but I looked at him and said, “I’m going to live a... Read more

Even if it takes years, it is important to heal the wounded places, so we can recover the full use of our heart. For the parts of our heart that are left wounded and unresolved remain preoccupied and not available for us to use in living. If unprocessed, the wounded places become dark and hard. Being vulnerable allows us to recover our heart, because being vulnerable and tender allows our wounds to soften and heal. Anger, even when legitimate, will... Read more