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Several years ago a very nice lady called me on my way out of the house, “We want you to teach mindfulness for veterans.” I said, “You know, I’m not clinical anymore.” She said, “I know, I read your website.” I said, “You know, it’s spiritual now.” She said, “I know, I read your website.” I said, “Who did you say you were with?” She said, “The VA.” I said, “Veterans […]

Warriors for the human spirit are leaders and activists brave enough to resist using fear and aggression to accomplish their work. Instead they train with discipline and confidence to develop the skillful means of compassion and insight. They aspire to use their influence and power to offer sane and life-affirming responses in this time of constant threats to the human spirit.  And they train as a community that continues well […]

I used to be what I called a “pragmatic pacifist.” That is, I got to be outraged about the very principle of military force when I didn’t agree with its use and got to shrug my shoulders and be a “pragmatist” when I did. Take, for example, the recent U.S. dropping of the “Mother of All Bombs” in Afghanistan—I felt outrage—and the “surgical strike” in Syria to deter the future use of baby-killing chemical weapons—I […]