Harlem, by Langston Hughes, at The Poetry Foundation My blog post on this poem and this moment:  A Dream Deferred: Langston Hughes, Then and Now | Psychology Today I wish I could share a meal with all of you; find out how you're doing in the midst of all our crises. I hope this message finds you and your loved ones and friends in good health. May you be safe and well. All my friends and loved ones are well, thankfully - but so much is not right with the world. I hope these writings, videos and podcasts will be hel ...Continue Reading

Keep your Zen folks! Hi all, I'm offering more Contagious Compassion Zoom Sessions! Please share with your networks. Over 40 people participated last round. Details below. Saturdays, April 11, 25 and May 9  4 - 5:30 pm PDT Free tickets at Eventbrite Blogs and Videos COVID19: From Uncertainty and Vulnerability to Compassion  - A summary of the first Contagious Compassion Zoom Session, including my 10 minute video that has the honor of having my highest retention rate of any video so far :)  Contagious Com ...Continue Reading

Hello all, I hope this note finds you and yours healthy, well and safe, as we practice shelter-in-place and social distancing. More information on the crisis in the links below. I'm hosting a Zoom group session next Saturday, March 28, 2020 from 4-5:30 pm PDT. You can register for this free event at Eventbrite. Please share with your networks. SF Love Dojo: Contagious Compassion Zoom Session In this time of COVID19 crisis, with attendant anxiety, stress, uncertainty, and isolation, we need ways to connect, heal and gro ...Continue Reading

Updates on local TV between 6 and 6:30 pm (!!!) this Wednesday, March 11. Note that SF has now banned events of >100 people. Hi all, I apologize for another ping in your inbox - but alarm bells have been going off. Schools, colleges, museums and libraries in San Francisco are closed, the SFFILM Festival has been cancelled - all towards social distancing and flattening the curve of this pandemic. I am crossing my fingers that testing gets up to speed quickly, on the medical front. But until then, it's ...Continue Reading

Hi all, Wanted to alert you to a couple of my recent blog entries at Psychology Today: The Drama of the Abused Family: how our national political situation mirrors the drama of an abused family Bong Joon Ho at the Oscars: Gratitude and Common Humanity - reflections on a fine win and heartwarming, inspiring graciousness in a real-life winner. Also, I'm looking forward to several health-related films at the Jewish Film Institute's Winterfest at the Vogue theater this weekend: Oliver Sacks: His Own Life&nbs ...Continue Reading

Hi all, Wanted to alert you to a couple of my recent blog entries at Psychology Today: The Drama of the Abused Family: how our national political situation mirrors the drama of an abused family Bong Joon Ho at the Oscars: Gratitude and Common Humanity - reflections on a fine win and heartwarming, inspiring graciousness in a real-life winner. Also, I'm looking forward to several health-related films at the Jewish Film Institute's Winterfest at the Vogue theater this weekend: Oliver Sacks: His Own Life - about ...Continue Reading

Giant maneki-neko "lucky" cat in Oita, Japan. Try! Dear all, Have you felt more anxiety, frustation, or other forms of distress in the last few days? The prospect of another endless war and violence became palpable after the killing of Qassem Suleimani on Friday. As I discussed in a recent lecture, available online, executive power has been unchecked for years, enabling perpetual war. By cultivating a connection to our true selves, limiting destructive influences and enhancing positive influences, we can brea ...Continue Reading

Giant maneki-neko "lucky" cat from Oita, Japan. Try! Dear all, Have you felt more anxiety, frustation, or other forms of distress in the last few days? The prospect of another endless war and violence became palpable after the killing of Qassem Suleimani on Friday. As I discussed in a recent lecture, available online, executive power has been unchecked for years, enabling perpetual war. By cultivating a connection to our true selves, limiting destructive influences and enhancing positive influences, we can br ...Continue Reading

Dear all, Thanks for staying on the journey :) I just returned from 12 days in Japan ... had a great time, riding the bullet and local trains, seeing the fall colors, visiting friends, and being immersed in an interdependent culture. Perhaps it was because the relatively homogenous culture is a bit more curious about me as a brown man (and I perhaps a bit curious about them), but I felt a subtle awareness and acknowledgment of my presence. Occasionally, eyes would meet. Sometimes, there would be a slight nod of the head ...Continue Reading

In this newsletter: Breaking news and samples of previous work for all my new subscribers! Happy November! As we all prepare for our holiday seasons, anticipating perhaps either joyous times with family and friends, or the stresses associated with relationship, perhaps this 2017 blog post on Navigating Difficult People and Opinions During the Holidays will be helpful. And perhaps you'll have time to binge-watch  some or all of my recent lecture series. I spoke about self-compassion, compassion in difficu ...Continue Reading