The New Resilience

Old formulations about psychological wellbeing and success are frozen in 20th Century thinking that emphasizes managing and coping with old traumas and conflict. Today's unpredictable and interconnected, changing world requires describing the emotions, mental perspectives and behavior that support continuous growth and positive adaptation to change. Read More

The definition of emotional disturbance appears to keep expanding, but that highlights the absence of a definition of psychological health -- one that's relevant to today's rapidly changing world and the challenges it creates for relationships, work, and general wellbeing. Read More

Fears underlie most life conflicts, and can remain unconscious drivers of actions and decisions. But research shows that it's possible to "evolve" your emotional life and awareness in ways that transform fears into positive actions and new growth. Read More

Research shows that loneliness harms our health, but it's important to recognize that it's fueled by our social conditioning to seek self-worth through external criteria of recognition, money and power. A hollow inner life results, setting the stage for isolation and loneliness, whether by yourself or in a crowd. Read More

The roots of gun violence committed by disturbed individuals lie in some destructive, negative values and behavior in our culture that promote disconnection, absence of empathy for those who are different from oneself, and extreme self-interest. Read More

The Petraeus scandal is just an extreme, titillating version of a disconnect in many people's lives between their public self and private self; between outer lies and inner truths. Read More

The workplace continues to create conflicts for many people. Emotional and physical stress are the consequences, not the source of the problem. Read More

If you harbor doubts about the person you're about to marry, there's reason to beware: New research shows that you're more likely to divorce. This shows the importance of listening to - and acting upon - your inner voice. It always knows the truth! Read More

The 2012 presidential campaign exposes a clash between an older, narrowly focused -- and declining -- view of success, and one that’s both broader and steadily rising. It has both social and political implications worth our attention. Read More

Radical Transparency is the key to sustaining intimacy. Read More

Politically motivated politicians continue denying man-made climate change and it's devastating harm. They reject the need for alternative energy sources that could stem the impact of greenhouse gas emissions. They gasp when hearing the word "sustainability." They block efforts to deal with these or other significant challenges. Read More

Leadership development and executive coaching programs have become pretty widespread in companies and organizations today, and with good reason: Positive, effective leadership is essential for success within today's turbulent work environment. Moreover, growing your leadership skills is also necessary for successful career development in today's workplace, where nothing is guaranteed. Read More

Not long ago conventional thinking about midlife held that it's a time for holding on as best you can in the face of steady decline and loss. But if you're a baby boomer, you know that's shifted as fellow boomers show more attention to health and want continued vitality — even new growth — emotionally, sexually and creatively. Read More

Some readers have asked me to elaborate more on what I wrote in my previous post, regarding the “self within the self.” Here, I explain that a bit more, emphasizing the growing links between Western science and Eastern perspectives about consciousness and the physical universe. Read More