FROM THE DESK OF PIERRE ZIMMERMAN: Empathy, Compassion and Altruism The word empathy is a translation from the German word Einfuhlung, which refers to "the ability to feel the other from within." Empathy can be set off by an affective perception of feeling for a...
Interconnectedness – By Pierre Zimmerman 6/1/22
From the Desk of Pierre Zimmerman: INTERCONNECTEDNESS Interdependence is not the easiest idea to grasp, yet it allows us to develop a wider perspective and less attachment to destructive emotions. There is nothing wrong or unusual about anger, for instance, but it can...
Developing Resilience – By Pierre Zimmerman 5/1/22
How Do I Develop Resilience? by Pierre Zimmerman, MS Resilience is the ability to face life’s challenges, small or seemingly overwhelming, surprising or habitual. With it we can experience what we might label victories, and when we lack resilience, we might end up...
ENGAGED ENVIRONMENTAL HEALING – By Pierre Zimmerman 4/1/22
From The Desk of Pierre Zimmerman: ENGAGED ENVIRONMENTAL HEALING Solving environmental problems almost always requires some understanding of ecological principles, called “systems thinking,” knowing that all events and beings are interdependent and mutually co-create...
HAPPINESS IS AN INSIDE JOB – By Pierre Zimmerman 3/1/22
From The Desk of Pierre Zimmerman: HAPPINESS IS AN INSIDE JOB We often get disappointed when we don’t get what we want or lose something of value, because we carry within our minds certain “psychic irritants,” sources of suffering triggered by events or our thoughts....
HEALTHY COMMUNITIES – By Pierre Zimmerman 2/1/22
Connection is an important aspect of well-being. Within healthy communities we seek refuge from instability, from ignorance, and we discover that no matter who we are, no matter what we have done, we can find sane belonging. We all want to form and maintain lasting,...
INTENSE GROUNDLESSNESS – By Pierre Zimmerman 1/1/22
From the Desk of Pierre Zimmerman:INTENSE GROUNDLESSNESS We begin another year, another winter with news about Covid and its variants, knowing we are only going to be free of it when the last few protect themselves from the invisible virus for the benefit of all. Most...
THE ACT OF BEING – By Pierre Zimmerman 12/1/21
FROM THE DESK OF PIERRE ZIMMERMAN THE SHEER ACT OF BEING Spirituality is the exploration of the nature of being. What is it to be? Is it being still? We are not trying to be still, nor is it an instruction to do something. It is something you can be aware of and...
Becoming Fluid Like Water – By Pierre Zimmerman 11/1/21
UNCONDITIONAL PRESENCE, Becoming Fluid Like Water. Most of us live in a state of continuous contraction and constricted awareness that forms a nucleus of avoidance, attachment, or both. Often we develop an identity and view of ourselves and the world based on...
Bridging the Divide – By Pierre Zimmerman 10/1/21
From the Desk of Pierre Zimmerman: BRIDGING THE DIVIDE Fear divides us because we feel powerless. COVID isn’t going away, and the rawness of emotions is vivid. It is the opposite of kindness, because the reptilian brain is very active and in a state of arousal. When...
