“Zen” is derived from the word “Chan,” which comes from the Sanskrit term “dhayana,” meaning “meditation.” In Zen practice, zazen or meditation plays a central role that allows a practitioner to experience the so called “ultimate reality or the absolute.” It is a practice that encourages deep meditation and understanding of reality beyond conceptual thinking. Zen had a… Read More »
Whoah! There is such a thing as conscience after all. Or is there? The website of the United Nations, under the U.N. event “International Day of Conscience April 5” contains these timely thought-provoking words… “The task of the United Nations to save future generations from the scourge of war requires transformation towards a culture of peace, which consists… Read More »
American professor, author, and podcast host Brené Brown once said, “Empathy fuels connection.” Empathizing with someone, especially with their concerns, is how you build strong relationships. Interacting empathically with employers is a competitive advantage since few job seekers do so. All hiring managers have concerns. The times you weren’t hired were likely because of a concern(s) your interviewer… Read More »
Physical goods or services are commodities. All commodities exist to solve a problem. For example, apples—a raw agricultural commodity—are a solution to solving your hunger. As a job seeker, you’re offering employers a commodity, your labour power, in exchange for a wage. In other words, at the risk of offending sensibilities, you’re seeking to serve as a commodity to… Read More »
I cannot but think of the gloriously outspoken and eminently articulate Clare Daly on the occasion of International Women’s Day (IWD) last March 8. (It is actually not just a day but a worldwide movement highlighted with events and activities during the month of March.). In the United Nation’s website, it says — “Officially recognized by the United… Read More »
Schools aren’t the safe haven we’d like them to be. Students have access to many unhealthy options within its walls, such as junk food and drugs. The Toronto District School Board’s latest attempt at limiting students’ ability to cause self-harm is the creation of a new policy that would restrict students’ use of smartphones while in class, undoing… Read More »
Education is a path to opportunity. It develops human talents and interests, as well as being a vehicle for equity and greater social inclusion. Access to quality education is not a privilege, but a human right. However, not everyone has this right, especially among the many people and children living around the dumps of Payatas and Smokey Mountain… Read More »
It may still be cold but spring is just around the corner. This year, 2024, spring will officially start on March 19. I always thought it was always the 21st of March. Apparently, it shifts or is movable. Not a moment too soon, I say. Although, we have had a relatively mild (but erratic) winter, having more of… Read More »
Judging is part of human nature. Everyone is a snob about something, the most prevalent being job snobbery. You encounter job snobbery when you meet someone for the first time and, after judging your appearance, they inevitably ask: “What do you do”? Based on your response, they’re either delighted to meet you or look at their watch and excuse… Read More »
The relationship between your expectations and your emotions is direct; for this reason, it’s wise to cultivate the skill of managing your expectations. The difference between your expectations and reality, sometimes chasmic, determines how often you experience hurt, disappointment, anger, stress, happiness, or satisfaction. Imagine the rollercoaster of emotions generated by waking up on a sunny morning, expecting… Read More »