Staying Connected Amidst Differences
New Series .. By Donation
Dear Friends,
When I was growing up, our family was liberal in a town that was likely 90% conservative, but it was never really an issue.
People showed up at sporting and school events, and largely got along.
There was much less division as there is today. A September 2024 Gallup poll found that 80% of U.S. adults believe Americans are greatly divided on important values, the highest percentage ever recorded.
It’s likely even worse now.
Fostering Division
For decades, we consumed news without social media silos or 24-hour news cycles that turned outrage into a business model.
Today, algorithms — the systems that decide what each of us sees online — feed us content most likely to provoke a reaction.
Why? Because the more they get a reaction out of us, the longer we stay on their platforms.
This division is likely to increase as we approach the holidays, and family members with different (and at times opposing) political and cultural beliefs, come together.
“We all belong to each other. There is no escaping this truth.” — Sharon Salzberg
Healing the Divide: Monthly Donaton-Based Series
We love offering things we could use ourselves.
Our upcoming donation-based series led by Cecily Mak and me will give us a chance to share our experiences in this area as we get ready for the holidays. We will practice ways to stay connected with ourselves and others despite amidst differences.
Please join us by Donation »»»
Whether we agree or disagree, there is a possibility to connect, to see that whatever qualities we hate in another also exist in us … and whatever qualities we admire in another also exist in us.
“The belief that you are separate from the world around you is the root of all suffering.”
— Eckhart Tolle
Love Everyone and Tell The Truth
Maharaji used to tell Ram Dass, “Love everyone and tell the truth.” Ram Dass would respond, “But the truth is I do not love everyone.”
And here is our practice and opportunity … love everyone and tell the truth.
Schedule is below.
Blessings,
SOREN
Schedule
November 11 @ 9am PDT / Noon EDT / 6pm CEST
Session 1: Speaking from the Heart
November 18 @ 9am PDT / Noon EDT / 6pm CEST
Session 2: Listening from the Heart
November 25 @ 9am PDT / Noon EDT / 6pm CEST
Session 3: Holding Differences
December 2 @ 9am PDT / Noon EDT / 6pm CEST
Session 4: Understanding Our Triggers
Will there we replays available 9am pacific is 4 am for me here in Australia. Would love to listen to these.
I’ve signed up for what I am sure will prove to be another one of your wonderful series, Soren. There’s just one bit of confusion, though. You say the sessions will be on Tuesdays from November 11th through December 2nd but EventBrite says the first session is on Wednesday, November 12th. Please clear this up for me/us. Thank you!