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Living with Love

True love and its obstacles.

Social Life
Healthy Disagreement Requires More Than Workshops

Polly Young-Eisendrath Ph.D. on March 27, 2024

We are all captured by our unique first-person experiences. We will always be in conflict, but our conflicts can be treasure troves of difference or dehumanizing polarizations.

We are all captured by our unique first-person experiences. We will always be in conflict, but our conflicts can be treasure troves of difference or dehumanizing polarizations.

Spirituality
Bringing Spiritual Insights Into Language

Polly Young-Eisendrath Ph.D. on September 25, 2023

Spiritual insights and experiences can be difficult to translate into everyday life and relationships. First, try talking about them using the three-part skill of Real Dialogue.

Spiritual insights and experiences can be difficult to translate into everyday life and relationships. First, try talking about them using the three-part skill of Real Dialogue.

Identity
What Does It Mean to Awaken?

Polly Young-Eisendrath Ph.D. on September 2, 2023

Within this complex array of experience and practice is a central theme that is often called “awakening” or “waking up.”

Within this complex array of experience and practice is a central theme that is often called “awakening” or “waking up.”

Health
One Size Does Not Fit All: Health, Wellness, and COVID-19

Polly Young-Eisendrath Ph.D. on May 11, 2020

Safety, wellness, and what we should do now, as the curve flattens, are topics that require us to recognize that one size does not fit all when it comes to health and wellness.

Safety, wellness, and what we should do now, as the curve flattens, are topics that require us to recognize that one size does not fit all when it comes to health and wellness.

Forgiveness
No Blame: Lowering Emotional Threat Levels

Polly Young-Eisendrath Ph.D. on April 7, 2020

We might not think much about the power of speech, but in this time of physical and economic crisis, we need to consider carefully the emotional environment we create.

We might not think much about the power of speech, but in this time of physical and economic crisis, we need to consider carefully the emotional environment we create.

Attention
What Uncertainty Teaches

Polly Young-Eisendrath Ph.D. on March 30, 2020

If the virus allows us to see deeply into the meaning of uncertainty — and our “illusion of control” — it will have opened a door of wisdom in the midst of our suffering.

If the virus allows us to see deeply into the meaning of uncertainty — and our “illusion of control” — it will have opened a door of wisdom in the midst of our suffering.

Attention
And the Virus Said: Breathe Deeply and Pause

Polly Young-Eisendrath Ph.D. on March 16, 2020

No complaining. No freaking out. Only slowing down and paying attention. That’s what I have been promoting, but it took a pandemic to get me to slow down in my everyday life.

No complaining. No freaking out. Only slowing down and paying attention. That’s what I have been promoting, but it took a pandemic to get me to slow down in my everyday life.

Religion
Too Commonly, "I'm Bored" Is Our Response to the Mystery of Life: Are We Losing Our Religion?

Polly Young-Eisendrath Ph.D. on March 3, 2012

When religion is alive and healthy, children grow up surrounded by a respect for human existence and the mystery of life—for a fascination or freshness that never leaves our side.

When religion is alive and healthy, children grow up surrounded by a respect for human existence and the mystery of life—for a fascination or freshness that never leaves our side.

Confidence
How Well-Meaning Parents Cheat Their Children of Self-Confidence and Self-Compassion

Polly Young-Eisendrath Ph.D. on September 16, 2011

The difference between idealization and love is not to be taken lightly. Mistaking one for the other can lead even the most well-meaning parent astray and damage the very child he or she is trying to nurture and protect.

The difference between idealization and love is not to be taken lightly. Mistaking one for the other can lead even the most well-meaning parent astray and damage the very child he or she is trying to nurture and protect.