Counselor’s Corner: Finding Glimmers Instead of Triggers
"Triggers," as they're aptly called, are those little alarm bells that ring in our minds when something seems off. They make our hearts race, our palms sweat, and often cause us to either retreat in fear or react in anger. They’re like those sneaky little gremlins, hiding behind our everyday experiences, causing a stir within us that often goes unnoticed. Examples of Triggers Sudden Loud Noises: For some, loud
Counselor Corner: Cutting Ties with Malignant Narcissists
A psychopathic narcissist, often known as a malignant narcissist, is a person who displays characteristics of both narcissistic and antisocial personality disorders, and in some cases, traits of psychopathy as well. This combination often results in a complex and potentially harmful personality type that can cause significant distress to those they interact with. Such individuals are usually marked by an excessive sense of self-importance and entitlement, and they often lack
Counselor Corner: The Art of Forgiveness
Just the other day, I ran into an old friend of mine, Sheila. Our friendship had been on a long pause, stretching back years before the Covid era. The incident that caused our rift was rather mundane - it took place in a Target store. Having forgotten my wallet, I borrowed 5 dollars from Sheila for a trinket that had caught my eye. I thanked her and promised to repay
Counselor Corner: The Joy and Wisdom of Letting Go
When I was a Missoula undergraduate student in philosophy at the University of Montana some 20 years ago, I attended a Buddhism event led by the late Alan Sponberg, then the professor of Buddhism at UM. He invited us all to summarize Buddhism in just three words as a sort of exercise. “Hmmm, I thought, how about: Buddha, Dharma, Sangha.” These, of course, are the “three refuges” of Buddhism. It
AI is Now in Our Music and Art … Thus, Is AI Making Our Life Pointless?
"Oh my God I can't watch. If computers turn out to be more artistic than we are, then life is truly pointless. Love you buddy but I can't watch. Too vulnerable right now." These anguished words came from my dear friend and musical compatriot of over 20 years, Curtis. I had just sent him a new song: an AI-rendered track from YouTube, where artificial intelligence had refashioned an Oasis song
Counselor Corner: Ancient Wisdom From a TV Weatherman
In an era defined by the pressing challenges of climate change, personal reflection and effective communication strategies are crucial for fostering collective action. Recently, a TV weatherman took to Twitter, advocating for a more compassionate approach to addressing climate change. His message resonates with the principles of Buddhism, which also emphasizes the power of truth, wisdom, and understanding. In his Tweet, Jeff Berardelli, a TV meteorologist in Florida who has