The urgent need for Active Patience
I was offered the honor of a lifetime when Naropa University (where I received my Master’s degree) asked me to be the graduate speaker at my commencement in May 2014. I used this opportunity to speak about my deepest passions and yearnings. I talk about our role as humans on this planet, and the lessons that arise from the core of our beings when we let ourselves rest. I had a lot of fun crafting and delivering this gift, and I hope you enjoy receiving it as much as I enjoyed presenting...
Read MoreKeeping materials “in the loop”
There is no such thing as waste. In earth’s system, everything is food for something else. And yet, our modern human systems often misalign with this law of nature. Our waste sits in landfills that cannot process it, while most of what we throw away is still valuable material. Many wisdom traditions and native cultures live in harmony with the planet, and some smart businesses are waking up to this truth. It’s called up-cycling, and it is the practice of using waste as valuable food for...
Read MoreIn style: Sustainable fashion
It’s not enough to just buy stuff anymore. Mindful consumers today want to be socially and environmentally conscious about the products we choose. We don’t really trust greenwashing or advertizing from a single bottom line. We trust relationships. We want to do good in the world. And we’re not willing to sacrifice style and comfort. Enter the Versalette, a fashion and travel garment designed for 30 diverse ways to wear. The frock was originally designed via a successful Kickstarter...
Read MoreHow to harness your fears
Sleeping alone in the wild, one comes face to face with fears. Namely, the fear of creatures in the night. Routt National Forest is home to bears, mountain lions, scorpions, and rattlesnakes, all of which I was acutely attuned to during my three night solo in the woods. Before my cohort and I set out for our own solo adventures, we shared what these fears looked like with the group. Many expressed the fear of being alone in the dark, and the fear of encountering a wild animal. I was...
Read MoreWhy can’t science and spirituality just get along?
Science and spirituality have long struggled to find common ground. Nevertheless, a common language exists between these powerful fields that may unlock a means for peace and connective understanding. This key is called by many names, but its essence is constant. It is the balance of energy. There is a form that unites the whole universe. Christianity calls it the trinity. Chemistry calls it protons, neutrons and electrons. Living systems display it as destruction, creation, and...
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