It’s called compassion fatigue. It’s a condition involving physical, psychological, and spiritual symptoms. It’s sometimes described as a gradual lessening of compassion. It happens to care givers, both those in the helping professions as well as those who have a primary role caring for loved ones. It happens when an… Read More »Caring Too Much?
The story is a familiar one. He was a quiet kid. He spent time on line and seemed preoccupied with his own thoughts. He didn’t have many friends. He didn’t seem to want any. He didn’t cause anyone a problem. He was just a loner. Then one day people noticed… Read More »Social Isolation, Violence, and Compassion
In our last conversation, you offered to be a guest speaker at my church. When I asked about the topic you’d like to address, you said, “Someone needs to tell them the truth about science and religion.” My response was to simply state that you’d probably be surprised by how… Read More »An Open Letter to My Friend, a Scientist
I heard the news Monday morning after breakfast: the Iron Lady, Margaret Thatcher, had died. Images of the former British Prime Minister ran through my mind. It’s difficult to forget her friendship with President Ronald Regan. I experienced discomfort as I recalled her cool, stern voice during her attacks on… Read More »The Death of the Iron Lady: A Reflection on Compassion
Christian Rhineland mystic, Meister Eckhart, asked in a Christmas sermon, “What good is it to me if Mary gave birth to the Son of God 1400 years ago if I don’t give birth to the Son of God in my time and in my culture?” Recalling Eckhart’s words, I have… Read More »The Mythology of Holy Week for Today
It was a warm spring evening. After dinner from the grill, I sat out on the deck as the evening grew dark. Leaning back in my chair, with feet propped up on another chair, I watched as the moon rose and the stars first appeared. Scanning the night sky, I… Read More »Star Gazing
A good friend emailed me on Monday evening and asked if I “happened to see the CBS Evening News, when Scott Pelley interviewed 3 seminarians studying at the North American Seminary in Rome.” I had not. But on his suggestion, on Tuesday morning, I went to the web site and… Read More »What is Truth?
In an earlier piece, I explored a basic process for meditation for those who are starting a meditation practice. Continuing on this theme, I’d like to explore some of the differences related to meditation between Christian and Buddhist approaches. Of course, each great religious tradition maintains a tradition of meditation.… Read More »Christian and Buddhist Understandings of Meditation
