The Sacred Hierarchy of Value: A Portal of Renewal in a Disenchanted Age

Listen: Speechify Audio Link Introduction In this post, I am going to attempt to articulate a perspective that, over the last eight years, has matured from a tiny seed to a deeply rooted, life-changing, and still vigorously growing personal reality. I remember vividly the first faint tremor—the prelude to the quake that would upend a … Continue reading The Sacred Hierarchy of Value: A Portal of Renewal in a Disenchanted Age →

The Free Speech Principle

One of the cornerstones of my approach to navigating these fraught and destabilizing times is the near-daily habit of compiling, refining, reflecting on, and ever more fully embodying a collection of Foundational Axioms, Principles and Practices. One of these reads, "Free speech and free thought are the only correctives to human error. Think and speak … Continue reading The Free Speech Principle →

I am Spartacus; An Unequivocal Recommitment to Free Speech

An “I am Spartacus” declaration, offered in memory of Charlie Kirk—who bore himself with steadfast courage and grace in defense of these sacred principles, and who, for his fidelity, just paid the ultimate price. I pledge: To think and speak my conscience—freely, fearlessly, and without equivocation. To defend your right to think and speak your … Continue reading I am Spartacus; An Unequivocal Recommitment to Free Speech →

Death and Near-Death on the Ice

Prologue One moment everything seems in order, under control, explained, understood. My actions seamlessly yield anticipated outcomes. My map seems complete, or at least, adequate. My territory seems known. Then, without warning, my world is upended, shattered. I am not where I thought I was. My map is suddenly full of holes. Unknown territory looms … Continue reading Death and Near-Death on the Ice →

Shadow Reflections

One of the central insights of the world's wisdom traditions, a core psychotherapeutic insight, and the deepest insight of great art and literature, is that human beings are powerfully drawn to see good within and evil without AND that human beings are at their most terrifying, capable of perpetrating the greatest atrocities, and maximally self … Continue reading Shadow Reflections →

Reflections on DEI at MacPhail Center for Music; An Open Letter to the MacPhail Community from a Former Faculty Member

Dear MacPhail leadership, Board members, faculty and staff, former colleagues and friends: It's been over two years now since my departure, but MacPhail is still often fondly in my thoughts, and I've continued to follow developments there. It is with some hesitation that I pen this letter. If I were still at MacPhail, I suspect … Continue reading Reflections on DEI at MacPhail Center for Music; An Open Letter to the MacPhail Community from a Former Faculty Member →

Integral Rising; The Emergence of Decentralized Intersubjective Sensemaking

I think I can say, with confidence, that I was not alone in my dismay when I learned the result of the US presidential election on the morning of November 9, 2016. At first, my anger and reactivity were blinding. Like so many on the left, I reflexively jumped to conclusions about what Trump’s election … Continue reading Integral Rising; The Emergence of Decentralized Intersubjective Sensemaking →