The Pursuit of Peace

Spirituality

6 Ways to Cope With Religious and Spiritual Struggles

Andy Tix Ph.D. on March 26, 2024

Individuals often experience religious and spiritual struggles. Although these can be stressful, we can learn to cope effectively and seek growth.

Individuals often experience religious and spiritual struggles. Although these can be stressful, we can learn to cope effectively and seek growth.

Religion

The Psychology of Replacing Religion with Spirituality

Andy Tix Ph.D. on February 21, 2024

As formal religion has become less popular, people are finding other ways to meet their needs.

As formal religion has become less popular, people are finding other ways to meet their needs.

Spirituality

One Way Indigenous Spirituality Promotes Resilience

Andy Tix Ph.D. on February 9, 2024

We may agonize about why bad things happen, but what if, instead, we accept some things as unknowable? Lakota spirituality provides unique insights that may promote peace.

We may agonize about why bad things happen, but what if, instead, we accept some things as unknowable? Lakota spirituality provides unique insights that may promote peace.

Meditation

How Contemplative Practices Promote Health and Well-Being

Andy Tix Ph.D. on January 12, 2024

Toxic levels of stress can worsen our physical and psychological health. New thinking and research on contemplative practices suggest steps we can take to be restored.

Toxic levels of stress can worsen our physical and psychological health. New thinking and research on contemplative practices suggest steps we can take to be restored.

Gender

A Letter to Parents of Faith Learning a Child Is Transgender

Andy Tix Ph.D. on November 13, 2023

When conservative adults learn of a young person in their family questioning their gender or coming out as transgender or non-binary, it can be hard to know which steps to take.

When conservative adults learn of a young person in their family questioning their gender or coming out as transgender or non-binary, it can be hard to know which steps to take.

Education

How to Make the Most of College

Andy Tix Ph.D. on August 21, 2023

Beginning or returning to college? Here's one powerful strategy for making the most of these years. 

Beginning or returning to college? Here's one powerful strategy for making the most of these years. 

Religion

Rediscovering a Religious or Spiritual Life

Andy Tix Ph.D. on May 24, 2023

Are there ways to be honest with religious frustrations while pursuing a religious or spiritual dimension to our lives? Consider these five ideas for how to do so.

Are there ways to be honest with religious frustrations while pursuing a religious or spiritual dimension to our lives? Consider these five ideas for how to do so.

Spirituality

5 Benefits of Religion Compared With Spirituality

Andy Tix Ph.D. on April 3, 2023

Have you given up on religion? There may be several unique benefits you may be overlooking.

Have you given up on religion? There may be several unique benefits you may be overlooking.

Anxiety

One Powerful Way to Help Young People Be Less Self-Focused

Andy Tix Ph.D. on March 13, 2023

Do you worry about the emotional struggles, loneliness, and self-preoccupation of the young people in your life? Research suggests a powerful strategy that can help.

Do you worry about the emotional struggles, loneliness, and self-preoccupation of the young people in your life? Research suggests a powerful strategy that can help.

Spirituality

5 Spiritual Practices That Increase Well-Being

Andy Tix Ph.D. on February 23, 2023

Are you looking to create a lifestyle integrating spirituality and well-being? Psychological science provides several specific practices.

Are you looking to create a lifestyle integrating spirituality and well-being? Psychological science provides several specific practices.

Depression

In Awe of Death

Andy Tix Ph.D. on February 6, 2023

Death often evokes awe. Understanding the new science of awe can help us to cope better with death and discover new meaning in life.

Death often evokes awe. Understanding the new science of awe can help us to cope better with death and discover new meaning in life.

Anger

The Emotional Life of Jesus

Andy Tix Ph.D. on November 30, 2022

Exploring the emotional life of Jesus reveals some clues about who he really was.

Exploring the emotional life of Jesus reveals some clues about who he really was.

Religion

Why Religious Fundamentalism Can Inspire Hatred

Andy Tix Ph.D. on November 14, 2022

Underlying much of the worst of human history are religious motivations. However, there are ways for religions to draw from their sacred texts and traditions to nurture peace.

Underlying much of the worst of human history are religious motivations. However, there are ways for religions to draw from their sacred texts and traditions to nurture peace.

Gratitude

Taking Photos of the Good Increases Gratitude and Well-Being

Andy Tix Ph.D. on August 15, 2022

Is your view of the town in which you live bleak? Is it tough to stay connected with family and friends who live far away? Is it hard to be grateful? A simple practice can help.

Is your view of the town in which you live bleak? Is it tough to stay connected with family and friends who live far away? Is it hard to be grateful? A simple practice can help.

Religion

The Ways of the Fundamentalist and the Mystic

Andy Tix Ph.D. on May 2, 2022

For many people, being religious means being a religious fundamentalist. However, decades of thinking and research in the psychology of religion suggest religion is more complex.

For many people, being religious means being a religious fundamentalist. However, decades of thinking and research in the psychology of religion suggest religion is more complex.

Happiness

The Science and Practice of a Good Life

Andy Tix Ph.D. on March 11, 2022

How do we enter the next phase of the pandemic? New insights from the science of a good life can help get you started.

How do we enter the next phase of the pandemic? New insights from the science of a good life can help get you started.

Motivation

The Science of Motivating Others

Andy Tix Ph.D. on November 18, 2021

How do we motivate those under our care to do what’s in their best interest? Understanding the impact of three variables may improve our ability to inspire.

How do we motivate those under our care to do what’s in their best interest? Understanding the impact of three variables may improve our ability to inspire.

Cognition

When We Can't Agree on Scientific Facts

Andy Tix Ph.D. on June 7, 2021

Individuals increasingly don’t agree on the relevant facts regarding major problems facing our country and world. Six critical thinking skills would help us move forward.

Individuals increasingly don’t agree on the relevant facts regarding major problems facing our country and world. Six critical thinking skills would help us move forward.

Stress

Awe as a Resource for Coping With Stress

Andy Tix Ph.D. on April 28, 2021

Intentionally and systematically making awe more accessible at high-stress institutions may provide a new pathway toward holistic health and well-being.

Intentionally and systematically making awe more accessible at high-stress institutions may provide a new pathway toward holistic health and well-being.

Spirituality

Awe Experiences Decrease Political Polarization

Andy Tix Ph.D. on February 22, 2021

The extreme political polarization of the United States remains one of the nation's greatest problems. New research suggests a novel remedy.

The extreme political polarization of the United States remains one of the nation's greatest problems. New research suggests a novel remedy.