Talking with ‘Dementia’
Communicating with someone navigating cognitive changes, often labeled as ‘dementia,’ can feel like stepping into an unfamiliar landscape. But what if we reframed this condition as ‘altermentia’ — not a diminishment, but a different way of being? Talking with someone experiencing altermentia isn’t about compensating for losses. It’s about discovering new ways to connect, rooted Read the full article…
Certainty Through Doubt
We often equate certainty with the absence of doubt, imagining it as a solid foundation that keeps us safe from ambiguity. But what if the deepest and most resilient certainty emerges not by avoiding doubt, but by fully embracing it? This blog explores a paradox: true certainty requires doubt. Doubt, far from being an obstacle, Read the full article…
What is Propaganda?
Propaganda surrounds us in subtle and overt ways, from political campaigns to advertising, from social media posts to historical narratives. At its core, propaganda is communication aimed at influencing thoughts, emotions, and behaviors to serve a particular agenda. Its methods can be manipulative, engaging the non-conscious mind to bypass critical thinking and elicit emotional responses. Read the full article…
Philanthropy from the Inside Out
Philanthropy, at its core, stems from the Greek philos-anthropos — the love or friendship of the human being. But what does it mean to truly love humanity? What if philanthropy addressed the whole person, including their mental and emotional depths, their Inner Strength? ‘Philanthropy from the inside out’ recognizes that true growth comes not from Read the full article…
Romanticism, the Refusal to Give Up
Romanticism is not just an artistic movement; it’s a refusal to give up on what truly matters, even when faced with the inevitable transience of life. It thrives on the tension between the fleeting and the infinite, the seen and the unseen ― capturing the eternal human yearning for beauty, connection, and meaning. This spirit Read the full article…
Intergenerational Philanthropy and Lisa
Philanthropy ’from the inside out’ [see that blog] is more than a method; it is a mindset — especially in the intergenerational context. It focuses on nurturing shared values, fostering mutual growth, and cultivating a deeper connection within families and the communities they serve. As Mr. Ban Ki-Moon stated in his Talking Philanthropy 2024 address: Read the full article…
Gratitude
Tomorrow is Thanksgiving Day in the United States, a time to reflect on what we are thankful for. While its origins are tied to the harvest and the blessings of the year, Thanksgiving also serves as a moment to pause and appreciate the connections and abundance in our lives. But gratitude, at its essence, is Read the full article…
Overlap, Central to Compassion
Compassion isn’t born out of mere kindness; it emerges from something far deeper — a resonance between two beings, a shared space where mental patterns align just enough to create understanding. This overlap, subtle yet profound, is central to Compassion. It’s what allows us to feel understood and to inspire growth in others, whether in Read the full article…
Robot Empathy
Humans are naturally empathetic — toward people, animals, and even objects like a child’s cherished teddy bear. This capacity for connection transcends logic and highlights the deeply human need for understanding. But what happens when empathy involves a robot? Lisa, a professional coaching robot, challenges us to rethink empathy. Her approach doesn’t mimic human emotion Read the full article…
Systemic Coaching with an Aurelian Heart
Imagine coaching that not only transforms individuals but also gently reshapes the systems they inhabit. An Aurelian systemic coach aims to integrate insights into the interconnectedness of people and their environments with a deep respect for inner growth and Compassion. This approach balances structure and fluidity, helping individuals navigate and transform the relationships and systems Read the full article…
Compassion as a Primal Instinct
Compassion is often viewed as a cultivated virtue, an act of kindness that grows from moral effort. But what if Compassion is more than that? What if it is a primal instinct, rooted in the very biology of humanity? By exploring Compassion’s evolutionary and neurological foundations, we find it is not just a reaction to Read the full article…
Cultural Minds: The Human Mosaic
In a world that is simultaneously more connected and divided than ever before, understanding the ‘mind’ of different cultures is not just a curiosity — it is a necessity. The way people think, feel, and grow is deeply shaped by their cultural environment, yet beneath these differences lies a shared human experience. This is where Read the full article…
From Instincts to Insights
Instincts are the raw, primal energies that have guided life for millennia. In humans, however, they transcend mere survival to become catalysts for creativity and connection. This transformation, from reaction to realization, reflects our capacity to integrate instincts with awareness, shaping them into sources of profound meaning and growth. This blog explores how instincts, when Read the full article…
Moving Beyond Conflict
Conflict is an inevitable part of life. From family feuds to political stalemates and workplace disagreements, it often seems to divide us irreparably. Yet, conflict is not inherently destructive. With the right perspective, it can become an opportunity for growth, understanding, and even creativity. By shifting our mindset and embracing the challenge, we can move Read the full article…
Inner Strength as a Counter to Exploitation
Exploitation thrives in a world where frequently some dominate through manipulation and others comply out of vulnerability. Yet, beneath the surface of this dynamic lies a deeper truth: exploitation often reflects inner weakness — on both sides. The exploited may lack the Inner Strength to resist or unite, while the exploiters are often driven by Read the full article…
From Anxiety to Aggression
Anxiety and aggression often seem worlds apart. Anxiety feels internal. Aggression, by contrast, bursts forth — external, visible, and often destructive. Yet, these two emotional states are closely connected, with one often transforming into the other when left unchecked. An invisible bridge: from potential to kinetic energy Imagine anxiety as a dam holding back a Read the full article…
Attention
I mean real attention, deep attention, nothing but attention — the one that makes you live and love, whether you give it or receive it. In this blog, I refer to ‘attention’ as this kind of deep attention. The fleeting, distracted attention we often experience in today’s fast-paced world is very different. There is much Read the full article…