Eating, especially at the holidays, can be fraught with confusion. How do I eat in a way that is good for me and the world I live in? According to a 2012 study by the International Food Information Council, 52 percent of Americans believed doing their taxes was easier than figuring out how to eat healthily. […]
Is Science or Religion the Correct Path?
Someone said to the sage, “Religion has been used to justify so much abuse and suffering. Surely, science is the better path.” Before the sage could answer, someone else countered, “Science has invented all the worst tools of war. Surely, religion is the better path.” They argued and argued. Finally, someone else asked the sage, […]
How to Feel Like You Make a Difference
A few weeks back, I sent out a survey–thank you so much to the nearly 1,000 of you who filled it out. In it, I asked what stands in the way of your feeling like your efforts make a difference to your own life and the world around you. Many people said they felt they just […]
The Activity of Spirituality and the Spirituality of Activism
What do spirituality and activism have to do with each other? “If your mind does not run off searching or think falsely or get involved with objects, then this very burning house of passion is itself the place to escape the three worlds.” –Zen Master Ta Hui Also, in the Abrahamic traditions there is a […]
Where I Am Going in My Work and Blog and How You Can Help
In the years, since I published the book and starred in the film No Impact Man, I have been in a huge, worldwide conversation with literally thousands and thousands of people. I have traveled to, Skyped with and emailed with colleges and businesses and workshops and activist groups around the world–from New York to Indianapolis to […]
Ten Ways to Give Mundane Life Chores Meaning
A butcher who lived in the time of Buddha wanted to live a meaningful and purposeful life and wondered how, as a butcher, he could ever achieve that. To him, killing animals felt like the opposite of living a life of meaning and purpose. On the other hand, he had a wife and small children […]
The Happiness of Getting Acknowledgment By Giving It
Recently, I sent out a survey to readers and email subscribers to ask how I might be most helpful to their finding meaningful, purposeful lives that help the world. I’m still analyzing results and will say more later. But for now, one of the questions was “What obstacles do you face when it comes to feeling […]
Ten Ways to Overcome Futility (About Life, The State of The World or Anything Else)
I’ve been saying since the No Impact Man project first started in 2007 that lasting personal happiness does not come without contributing to community and world happiness. But there are big issues that stop us from trying to contribute or that make us really frustrated when we do try. I know this because I sent out […]