Considering the incivility of politicians, cyber bullying, and terrorist attacks, reports of random acts of kindness happening all over the place is good news that lifts the soul. In an article at Nytimes.com, "Ma'am, Your Burger Has Been Paid For," Kate Murphy writes about the pay-it-forward phenomenon. In drive-through food places, a person pays for the meal of the person in the car behind him or her and then drives away.
Posted by Frederic Brussat on October 24, 2013
Posted by Frederic Brussat on October 8, 2013
"Behavior is the mirror in which everyone shows their image."
— Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Our spirituality is revealed to family, friends, neighbors, classmates, colleagues, and strangers through our everyday behavior. There are times when we put others first, genuinely listen to what they say, and treat them with the respect they deserve as sons and daughters of God.
But there are other times when we are rude and selfish, unable to be kind and respectful.
Posted by Frederic Brussat on August 12, 2013
Pier M. Forni, professor of Italian literature at Johns Hopkins, came to study literature at ULCA in 1978 and in 1997, founded the Johns Hopkins Civility Project, a cluster of research and outreach programs studying the effects of manners in schools, hospitals, and a maximum security prison. In 2002, his book Choosing Civility: The Twenty-Five Rules of Considerate Conduct was released.
Posted by Frederic Brussat on July 15, 2013
Men and boys are responsible for most of the violence in the United States, and many educators, politicians, and spiritual leaders are hoping that something can be done to lessen this dangerous form of incivility. In an article on Alternet.org, Kozo Hattor reports on the failure of a nine-week "Cultivating Compassion Training" (CCT) class at Stanford University where male students dropped out while the women stayed with it. Elad Levinson, the director of programs at Spirit Rock Meditation Center, notes that "Men tell you what is on their minds, but not what is in the heart."
Posted by Frederic Brussat on June 24, 2013
In these adversarial times when most people are too busy or rushed to practice manners or respect for others, Sufis are the finest ambassadors of civility that we have come across. Those on this mystical path practice adab, a way of life that includes courtesy, respect, and appropriate behavior in all situations and relationships. In The Book of Language, Sufi sheikh Kabir Helminski defines it as "courtesy, appropriate behavior . . . a subtle discipline of mind and body that expresses humility, respect, patience, and sensitivity." We also like Al-Shiran's definition as "a profound courtesy of heart that arises from a deep relationship with the Divine and expresses itself in refined behavior of all kinds with other beings."
Posted by Frederic Brussat on April 9, 2013
Have you given up on the hope that old-fashioned manners and courtesy can have a place in the digital world? In an article in The New York Times, Alex Williams writes about the efforts of "a new generation of etiquette gurus and good-manner bloggers" who are trying in their own ways to keep civility alive in our raucous self-centered culture where rudeness and little regard for others seems to reign.
Posted by Frederic Brussat on April 9, 2013
Relationships are the central web of our lives. The strands connect us to family, intimates, partners, friends, as well as communities, natural places, and the wider world. The character and quality of our spiritual lives are measured by these essential bonds. Our relationship with the Divine is reflected by and expressed in our other relationships.
Strong relationships emerge from and support civility – respect, courtesy, consideration of others, politeness, good manners, basic kindness. All of the world's religions and wisdom traditions offer us models of civility that draw out the best in us as we relate to others.
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About This Blog
Relationships are the central web of our lives. The strands connect us to family, intimates, partners, friends, as well as communities, natural places, and the Divine. Strong relationships emerge from and support civility — respect, courtesy, consideration of others, politeness, good manners, basic kindness. More