The rewards of being an engaged citizen are great. You make friends. You meet people who share your values. You get to feel you are doing something about what you are worried about in the world. Here are some tips on how to become an engaged citizen, whatever your area of concern, from my coming book How […]
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Making Spirituality Relevant Again
Sometimes I say there is a spiritual undertone to my activism. Other times I think there is an activist tone to my spirituality. Ha! Actually, in these times, for me, spirituality = activism and activism = spirituality. These are hard words both for some in spirituality and some in activism, I know. Spiritual people are suspicious […]
Over the Holidays, Eat Like You Care About Yourself and The World
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 […]