What does it mean to be human at this time in the unfolding story of the earth? Who are we as a species? Am I contributing to the evolution of a healthier and more mature culture or am I simply participating in the cultural norms that I’ve inherited? What is consciousness? Is my orientation — my center of gravity — self-centric or does it include all beings and the more-than-human world?
While there may not be clear or “right” answers to many of these questions, they are powerful ones which help to guide my steps. Here are a few more that I find compelling:
What kinds of power and privilege do I have access to and what am I doing with it? Am I chasing something in my life? Am I hiding from or avoiding something in my life? Are my feedback channels open, meaning, am I open to feedback about how I’m showing up in the world? How much attention do I give to becoming more aware of my blindspots? What can I learn from the ways I react to and judge others? How compassionate and loving am I toward my own experience? Are there any areas of my life where I’ve lost access to my innate sense of curiosity?
By asking myself these kinds of questions, I find that I am able to live more skillfully. More and more, I notice a growing capcity to take steps which nourish me and that cultivate a quality of intimacy with all of life. That said, it hasn’t necessarily been easy to shift from unskillful ways-of-being toward something more dynamic, inspired and wholistic. I expect it’ll always be a work in progress. And I’ve needed (and accepted) a lot of help along the way. On this page I want to share some resources that have helped, inspired, and in some cases radically transformed my life. Most of what I’m posting here are books or podcasts but I may share some blogposts & websites as well. May these resources be of service!
Book Recommendations
Wild Mind by Bill Plotkin
Death: The End of Self-Improvement by Joan Tollifson
The Science of Enlightenment by Shinzen Young
Getting Real by Susan Campbell
Nonviolent Communication by Marshall Rosenberg
When Things Fall Apart by Pema Chödrön
The Blind Spot Effect by Kelly Boys
Consolations or any other poetry book by David Whyte
Atomic Habits by James Clear
Podcast & App Recommendations
The Waking Up app
Wisdom of the Masters podcast
On Being podcast
21st Century Vitalism podcast
The Relationship School podcast
A New and Ancient Story podcast
For the Wild podcast