Compassion is not a relationship between the healer and the wounded. It’s a relationship between equals. Only when we know our own darkness well can we be present with the darkness of others. —Pema Chödrön We encounter suffering everywhere—in the news, on the street, in our own homes. Our typical responses fall into predictable patterns: […]
The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change. —Carl Rogers There’s a voice in your head right now cataloging everything wrong with you. Too lazy. Too anxious. Too much or not enough. We’ve been taught that this harsh internal critic is what keeps us on track, […]
You’ll never find a rainbow if you’re looking down. —Charlie Chaplin Watch a toddler encounter a puddle. They don’t see an obstacle or an inconvenience. They see possibility, mystery, magic. They crouch down, fascinated. They touch the surface and watch ripples spread. They stomp and squeal at the splash. For them, a puddle is an […]
They are a deeply compassionate, intellectually curious community that values absolute authenticity and expects people to speak the truth with a kind heart. —JoAnna Bennett In a world that often demands we be polished, professional, and perpetually “on,” there is a profound, radical act in simply showing up as you are. For over six years, […]
Will we choose love or fear? Will we choose connection or isolation? Will we choose to see each other as family or as strangers? The choice is before us. The time is now. And we—all of us, together—are the ones we’ve been waiting for. We live in an age of unprecedented connection, yet somehow we’ve […]
What began as a simple gathering six years ago has grown into something far more profound—a refuge where masks fall away and authentic selves emerge. This isn’t just another meeting place; it’s a sanctuary built on the foundation of mutual recognition, where each voice carries weight and every experience finds resonance. Within this circle, we’ve […]
Editor’s Note: With our Radical Sabbatical kicking off tomorrow (details below), we’re taking a moment to to look back on our journey as we look forward to reimagining what’s next. Thank you so much for being on this journey with us. Radical Sabbatical: Our Revolutionary Act of Surrender The most remarkable feature of this […]
Today, we unveil the Encounter 360° Power of Love Wall—a radiant celebration of humanity’s boundless spirit and capacity for compassion. This living mosaic of images shared over the course of our two-day gathering invites each of us to contribute our stories, hopes, and acts of kindness, weaving together a tapestry that reflects love in its […]
Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I’ll meet you there. — Rumi In the quiet, heavy atmosphere of a hospital room or the final chapters of a long-held grudge, words often fail us. We stumble over the complexity of our history, paralyzed by the weight of things left unsaid. Yet, […]
Defiance is not about being oppositional for its own sake. It’s about choosing to act in line with your values when there is pressure to do otherwise. — Sunita Sah When we think of defiance, our minds usually drift toward the cinematic: barricades in the streets, shouted slogans, or grand, sweeping gestures of cinematic rebellion. […]
