In the domain of action, an essential first step is doing nothing, when that is the best we can do. If anyone who has been once or twice warned remains obdurate, do not argue with him . . . [Thomas ... Read More about Forbearing
1 Dormancy
Being Skeptical, Entertaining Doubt, Embracing Uncertainty and Ambiguity: Being Intellectually Humble
We do not know everything. Awareness of this fact is an important first step in the intellectual domain. The psychic task which a person can and must set for himself, is not to feel secure, but to ... Read More about Being Skeptical, Entertaining Doubt, Embracing Uncertainty and Ambiguity: Being Intellectually Humble
Being Modest
Being unassuming and moderate in the estimation of one’s abilities is an essential component of being humble. Modesty is mainly in the domain of emotion. The houses are haunted / By white ... Read More about Being Modest
Being Humble
Armed with a concept of justice based and centered on human worth and dignity, and aware of suffering and evil, we can begin to build a sound and enduring ethical system. Humility is an essential ... Read More about Being Humble
Evil
Evil is whatever denigrates human worth, seen as broadly as we can. When they were in the field Cain attacked his brother Abel and killed him. [The Bible, Genesis 4:8.] We will be greatly misled ... Read More about Evil
Ego – Selfishness
Justice at its most basic level involves caring about more than the self. Ego is the core and root of injustice. . . . evil is always the assertion of some self-interest without regard to the whole ... Read More about Ego – Selfishness
Mortality
Ultimately, we are powerless over death, and we are of it. . . . approach thy grave Like one who wraps the drapery of his couch About him, and lies down to pleasant dreams. [William Cullen Bryant, ... Read More about Mortality
Powerlessness
A second great spiritual pain is that we are powerless in relation to many things. We will come to Niebuhr's serenity prayer but before we do, we acknowledge that pain that makes us seek that ... Read More about Powerlessness
Separation and Alienation
To be at one with all people and with the physical world is an ideal. One of our three great spiritual pains is that we do not live in that ideal state: we are often separated and alienated. This ... Read More about Separation and Alienation