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The Seekers Forum

Practical wisdom for everyday life

Identity
Which Archetypes Are You Living?

Mark Matousek on August 8, 2024

Archetypes can uproot our assumptions and open possibilities. They're fundamental to the stories we tell and live.

Archetypes can uproot our assumptions and open possibilities. They're fundamental to the stories we tell and live.

Play
Infinite Play: Training for the Unexpected

Mark Matousek on July 22, 2024

Play philosopher and trauma therapist Gwen Gordon—who began her career building Muppets for Sesame Street—talks about the transformative power of "infinite play."

Play philosopher and trauma therapist Gwen Gordon—who began her career building Muppets for Sesame Street—talks about the transformative power of "infinite play."

Ethics and Morality
Becoming Gandhi: A Writer's Search for a Moral Life

Mark Matousek on February 27, 2024

Veteran journalist Perry Garfinkel undertook a fascinating experiment at a low point in his life: to live by Gandhi's moral precepts for a year and see what happens.

Veteran journalist Perry Garfinkel undertook a fascinating experiment at a low point in his life: to live by Gandhi's moral precepts for a year and see what happens.

Resilience
Hope Is the Hardest Love We Carry

Mark Matousek on November 27, 2023

Award-winning poet Jane Hirshfield talks about hope as "the hardest love we carry," the world-changing power of beauty, and how we can become a light unto ourselves.

Award-winning poet Jane Hirshfield talks about hope as "the hardest love we carry," the world-changing power of beauty, and how we can become a light unto ourselves.

Social Life
The Joy of Missing Out

Mark Matousek on August 16, 2023

Personal Perspective: The joy of missing out — JOMO — is on the rise in these demanding, plugged-in times when we long for quiet, idleness, and doing nothing.

Personal Perspective: The joy of missing out — JOMO — is on the rise in these demanding, plugged-in times when we long for quiet, idleness, and doing nothing.

Resilience
Broken Hallelujah: How the Heart Can Heal

Mark Matousek on July 21, 2023

In this inspiring conversation, poet-philosopher Mark Nepo talks about hope, wholeness, and the complex business of being human.

In this inspiring conversation, poet-philosopher Mark Nepo talks about hope, wholeness, and the complex business of being human.

Philosophy
The Wonder Paradox: Enhancing the Mind Through Mystery

Mark Matousek on June 16, 2023

Poet and historian Jennifer Michael Hecht talks about ritual, poetry, and awe in her book 'The Wonder Paradox: Embracing the Weirdness of Existence.'

Poet and historian Jennifer Michael Hecht talks about ritual, poetry, and awe in her book 'The Wonder Paradox: Embracing the Weirdness of Existence.'

Grief
The Wild Edge of Sorrow: Grief as a Sacred Initiation

Mark Matousek on May 29, 2023

Author-therapist Francis Weller has a profoundly healing vision of how grief can enrich our lives when we meet it with curiosity and gratitude.

Author-therapist Francis Weller has a profoundly healing vision of how grief can enrich our lives when we meet it with curiosity and gratitude.

Dreaming
Waking Up in the Dream: An Interview with Andrew Holecek

Mark Matousek on January 11, 2023

Andrew Holecek is one of the world's experts on lucid dreaming. He explains how spiritual practices, such as Buddhism, dovetail with scientific discoveries about the mind.

Andrew Holecek is one of the world's experts on lucid dreaming. He explains how spiritual practices, such as Buddhism, dovetail with scientific discoveries about the mind.

Meditation
Mother Knows Best: Listening to Ayahuasca

Mark Matousek on November 18, 2022

The American ayahuascero Eli Rechtschaffen was taken to the jungles of Brazil at 17, and later initiated as Yaje medicine man. He says that we need the Mother now more than ever.

The American ayahuascero Eli Rechtschaffen was taken to the jungles of Brazil at 17, and later initiated as Yaje medicine man. He says that we need the Mother now more than ever.

Spirituality
The Edge Walker: How Sally Kempton Bridges Worlds

Mark Matousek on October 13, 2022

Sally Kempton evolved from being a literary "It Girl" to becoming a world-renowned spiritual teacher. Her discovery of transpersonal psychology and philosophy changed everything.

Sally Kempton evolved from being a literary "It Girl" to becoming a world-renowned spiritual teacher. Her discovery of transpersonal psychology and philosophy changed everything.

Trauma
When Children Remember Past Lives

Mark Matousek on July 14, 2022

Personal Perspective: In her debut novel, Barbara Graham raises important questions about what to believe when children report memories of past lives.

Personal Perspective: In her debut novel, Barbara Graham raises important questions about what to believe when children report memories of past lives.

Environment
The Pitfalls of Denying Our Animal Nature

Mark Matousek on April 22, 2022

Bestselling author, researcher, and poet Melanie Challenger talks about the disastrous results of denying our creature nature.

Bestselling author, researcher, and poet Melanie Challenger talks about the disastrous results of denying our creature nature.

Wisdom
Fierce Wisdom for Our Times: Self-Blessing Can Heal You

Mark Matousek on April 6, 2022

When we learn to bless ourselves, says author and theologian Matthew Fox, we heal the wounds of separation from others, and deepen our capacity for self-love.

When we learn to bless ourselves, says author and theologian Matthew Fox, we heal the wounds of separation from others, and deepen our capacity for self-love.

Optimism
The Optimism Bias

Mark Matousek on March 2, 2022

We are born with an "optimism bias" that has enabled us to survive as a species. This bias makes it possible to maintain hope even in terrible circumstances.

We are born with an "optimism bias" that has enabled us to survive as a species. This bias makes it possible to maintain hope even in terrible circumstances.

Gratitude
When It Is Dark Enough, You Can See the Stars

Mark Matousek on January 11, 2022

When it is dark enough, you can see the stars. When life deals you the hardest lessons, they come with commensurate insight. This gives you courage to move through liminal times.

When it is dark enough, you can see the stars. When life deals you the hardest lessons, they come with commensurate insight. This gives you courage to move through liminal times.

Trauma
The Myth of Normal: Speaking to Gabor Maté

Mark Matousek on January 4, 2022

Gabor Maté talks about the myth of normal in a crazy culture, and how trauma and addiction are fed by toxic systems of self-doubt.

Gabor Maté talks about the myth of normal in a crazy culture, and how trauma and addiction are fed by toxic systems of self-doubt.

Relationships
Enough Is a Feast: The True Meaning of Radical Self-Care

Mark Matousek on January 3, 2022

Shelly Tygielski is an expert in radical self-care and the creator of Pandemic of Love. She explains that authentic self-care stems from a connection to the community.

Shelly Tygielski is an expert in radical self-care and the creator of Pandemic of Love. She explains that authentic self-care stems from a connection to the community.