“Lovers and madmen have such seething brains,
Such shaping fantasies, that apprehend
More than cool reason ever comprehends.”

— William Shakespeare, A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Shakespeare was on to something with that whole “seething brain” thing.  Apparently, the brains of people in love are awash in a bath of … read more.

One of my favorite movies of all time is a quirky and compelling 1981 film called “My Dinner with Andre,” The story consists entirely of a conversation between two real-life theater friends, Wallace Shawn and Andre Gregory — essentially playing themselves — as they share … read more.

One of the greatest gifts that any person can give to another is simply to be fully present, in a spirit of relaxed and attentive openness. 

The fact is that we aren’t very often present to one another in this way. Instead, we are – in … read more.

From the moment I first encountered it, I’ve liked the crisp, vivid and memorable language of this Fellowship’s mission statement. Our stated purpose is “nurturing spirit, transforming lives and leading change.”  Each one of those active verbs sets off resonant ripples of meaning in my … read more.

Some years ago, when I was asked to deliver an invocation at my congregation’s Oktoberfestfundraising dinner, I recalled the keen and profoundly cynical observation made by the brilliant, mad German philosopher, Friedrich Nietzsche: “The trick,” he said, “is not to arrange a festival, but to … read more.

The curmudgeonly mathematician and philosopher, Bertrand Russell, once said that “work consists of two kinds: first, altering the position of matter at or near the earth’s surface relative to other such matter; second, telling other people to do so. The first is unpleasant and ill … read more.

Last month I attended my 50th high school class reunion, held during the annual “Heritage Days Festival” in the small town of Two Harbors, Minnesota. (Actually, it was our 51st, since we had to cancel last summer’s semicentennial gathering of the Class of 1971 due … read more.