A few years ago, I read a book called Naikan by Gregg Krech, founder of the ToDo Institute, which had an enormous impact on me. Naikan is a Japanese form of self reflection in which we ask ourselves three questions: 1) What have I received from _________2) I have I given _________3) What harm have [...]

Filed under: Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

Last week, fifteen of our M.Ed. and Humane Education Certificate Program students were at IHE’s facility for their residency training week. We had students from all over the United States, one from Canada, and one from Kenya. We learned so much from one another, each student contributing her or his creativity, passions, skills, and knowledge. [...]

Filed under: Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

I was recently invited to attend a reception for Tom Allen, a Congressman from Maine who is running for Senate against Susan Collins. I’ve always liked Tom Allen’s politics — what I know of them anyway. And I liked how he responded to questioners at the reception. Some were somewhat peeved at Tom because of [...]

Filed under: Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

Here’s a great way to reduce your carbon emissions and have more fun and meet people all at the same time. GoLoco.org helps you arrange ride-sharing, for short and long trips, on a regular basis (e.g., carpooling to work), for a conference or event, or for outings, vacations, and adventures. Visit www.GoLoco.org to learn more [...]

Filed under: Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

In our M.Ed. and Humane Education Certificate Program, students read a lot of books – about 40 altogether. In the course on Human Rights, they currently read Derrick Jensen’s brilliant, comprehensive, no-stone-left-unturned book, The Culture of Make Believe. It’s an impressive work of 600 plus pages that chronicles all that’s wrong with the world. And [...]

Filed under: Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

During the past two mornings, I’ve been teaching my son’s seventh grade class about advertising and helping them to think critically about the products that surround us. I began, as I often do, by testing their brand knowledge. I showed them the first letters of several brand names (The M in McDonald’s, the A in [...]

Filed under: Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

I’ve been thinking a lot about the ways in which we humans seem to gravitate towards “either/or” choices. Either we protect Northern Spotted Owls or people’s logging jobs. Either we invade Iraq or not. Either we pull the troops out or stay. There are more. Either we trust our minds or hearts. Either we are [...]

Filed under: Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

My son goes to an alternative, K-8, Waldorf-inspired school in rural Maine. Each year the 8th graders choose a project to complete over the course of the year, find a mentor to help them achieve it, and, about one month before school ends, present their project to the school. This past week the students have [...]

Filed under: Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »