Articles on Community
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Three Leadership Lessons from John Woolman
In this time of multiple pandemics and many crises, I struggle with how to relate to those with whom I disagree. How do I find the wisdom to interact in a loving way; how do I speak my truth so they might hear? I find the eighteenth-century American Quaker John Woolman inspiring and instructive for…
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With My Heart Enlightened
Last February was the 10-year anniversary of my open heart surgery to replace my aortic valve. The valve problem was caused by a congenital defect, and the time had finally had come for the replacement. Scripture, mystics, and poets say that the heart is the organ of spiritual perception. I’ve wondered if the purpose of…
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Hearts Broken Open
In mid-March, all the numbers fell off my calendar and clock as my carefully arranged plans changed in an instant. With the spread and threat of the COVID-19 virus, my sensibly constructed life changed. For the next month, I would watch every single plan change, die, or be reconceived in some way or another. The…
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Serving Tea
There is something magical about watching my sister Marsha serve tea. Few notice as she performs this kindness. She is quiet and unassuming as she works. Her attention is steadily focused on two things: carefully depressing the button on the cooler and watching as the tea fills the cup and then meeting the eye of…
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Inspiration for These Times
Staff/Board Recommendations In the past, we have offered a special book issue that provided a listing of staff/board reading picks. This year, we asked board and staff to consider any contemplative resources they found helpful in this unprecedented time. Books Tilden Edwards (Founder & Senior Fellow) and Jackson Droney (Staff Member) both recommend Barbara A.…