Blog

What Makes Great Literature Great?

What makes great literature great? Why do some short stories, plays and novels strike a universal chord and impart relevant and meaningful wisdom hundreds or even thousands of years later?

According to a new book on literature and language, it all comes down to the consciousness of the writer. If the writer is able to fathom the depths of silence within herself, she can convey that depth of wisdom to others through her writing.

A Woman’s Right to Excel

I live in New York where recently I have been receiving a relentless flow of mail and email from the Women’s Equality Party. Speaking about gender inequality a few days ago, President Obama commented. ‘‘The

Educating from the Inside Out in Thailand

A University that Develops the Full Potential of Students

(Part three of a three-part series)

Gail Connellee didn’t expect to go back to school in her 60s. She already had a BA in education and worked as a counselor. But when she heard about the opportunity to earn an MA degree at the Rajapark Institute in Bangkok, Thailand, she decided to return to the classroom.

Press Delete on Women’s Five Top Health Concerns

I checked with Amy Ruff, BSN, RN, WOCN, to learn how the practice of the TM technique reduces the risk factors for, onset of, or difficulties that come along with the five top health concerns

The Family that Meditates Together

I grew up in the era when families ate their evening meals together (think the Donna Reed Show and Leave It To Beaver). Intuitively, it makes sense that it’s good for kids to share the family meal as an anchor in the day.

It turns out science backs up this notion. First of all, there are benefits for digestion and healthy eating itself. A study by Harvard Medical School has shown that children who eat with their parents eat less junk food, eat more fruits and vegetables, and ingest more of the nutrients needed for their developing nervous systems and to fend off heart disease and cancer later in life.

Educating from the Inside Out in Thailand

The Story of Two Students

(Part two of a three-part series)

The word “education” comes from the Latin verb “educere” which means “to lead out.” For children in many parts of the world, an education is a way to lead their families from poverty to prosperity. In Thailand, education for girls means the difference between a life spent working in a respected trade or profession and living on the street.

Reducing Stress for Women with Breast Cancer

The simple but remarkable fact about breast cancer is that two of its most significant risk factors are gender (being a woman) and aging. Not much can be done to undo those two phenomena. In

Educating from the Inside Out in Thailand

Acharn Yai (Aunampai Passakchai), Buddhist Nun, Talks About Meditation, Academics and Peace (Part one of a three-part series) I was deeply moved while writing two previous blog posts about the Dhammajarinee Witthaya School, which provides

The Inner Core of Peace

Mitakuye Oyasin: We are all related (American Indian Lakota tradition);

Vasudhaiva kutumbakam: The world is my family (Vedic tradition)

When I was a little girl, even from within the safe cocoon of my family and friends, it was deeply distressing to overhear the news about negative world events. Raised in a minister’s family where empathy was emphasized, I felt the pain of others intensely, but felt helpless to do anything about it. These days, especially, my heart goes out to children who hear the news. My heart goes out to everyone!

Personal Foul

What peace can we hope to find elsewhere…if we have none within us? – Saint Teresa of Avila

A hunter is outside tracking his prey when he hears a tiger roar behind him.

He can either run away or stand his ground and fight. His very survival depends upon his quick reactions. A complex cascade of stress hormones, such as adrenaline, noradrenaline and cortisol, is triggered. These hormones have a powerful and widespread effect on his body’s biochemistry, physiology and psychology, giving him the extra strength and speed he needs to deal with the threat.