April 12, 2025 “An optimist isn’t necessarily a blithe, slightly sappy whistler in the dark of our time. To be hopeful in bad times is not just foolishly romantic. It is based on the fact that human history is a history not only of cruelty but also of compassion, sacrifice, courage, and kindness. What we choose to emphasize in this complex history will determine our lives. If we see only the worst, it destroys our capacity to do something. If we remember those times and places—and there are so many—where people have behaved magnificently, this gives us energy to act, and at least the possibility of sending this spinning top of a world in a different direction.” James Baraz, Awakening Joy: 10 Steps That Will Put You on the Road to Real Happiness Dear Friends, How are you? At New York Insight’s weekly Wednesday community gatherings, this month’s theme is joy – one of the seven factors of awakening.  Why talking about joy when there seems to be so much suffering in the world right …

March 19, 2025 “There is no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about.”– Margaret J. Wheatley Dear Friends, How have you been? What an intense first three months of the year.  As I journey through this year, I found the great antidote to separateness, anxiety and fear is building and being with communities, and restoring a sense of intimacy in our life.  When we are going through great changes and uncertainty, we can create a sense of agency and resilience through connections.  Real and authentic connections.  In the physical world, when possible.  It takes more effort to connect in the physical world – we may need to commute, carve out time, and we take risks in the vulnerability of connection.   We take risks in looking into someone’s eyes, seeing their vulnerability, joys and sorrows, inspirations and regrets, and how they reflect our own.  We take risks in making mistakes, saying the wrong things at the wrong moments, sometimes unintentionally harming or being hurt by others.  And yet, the intimacy …