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Tag: conflict resolution

  • Ancient Torah, Modern Brain: The Science of Jewish Compassionate Reasoning

    For centuries, Jewish tradition has insisted that the struggle between good and evil is not merely theological—it is psychological. The rabbis described this as the tension between the yetzer hara and the yetzer hatov, the human inclinations toward fear and selfishness on the one hand, and compassion and moral responsibility on the other. Today, neuroscience offers a remarkable confirmation of this ancient insight. Modern research shows that human behavior emerges from interacting brain systems, some oriented toward threat and survival, others toward care, reflection, and cooperation. This convergence suggests something profound: Torah may be understood not only as spiritual teaching but as a system for training the moral mind. Ritual becomes practice. Study becomes cognitive training. Compassion becomes a disciplined capacity. What Jewish civilization developed over centuries may represent one of humanity’s earliest sustained efforts to cultivate what we might now call the compassionate brain—the ability to regulate fear, strengthen moral clarity, and act with responsibility toward others.

  • Who is a man?

    Manhood

    manhood
    Who is a real man?
    He who turns an enemy
    Into a friend.

    Who is a real man?
    He who conquers
    His worst impulses.

    Who is a real man?
    He who takes the blows,
    For innocents in harm’s way.

    Who is a real man?
    He who stands up to anyone,
    Especially his own tribe,
    In defense of the defenseless.

    Who is a real man?
    He who willfully withholds,
    His strong fist.

    Who is a real man?
    He who admits
    His sins.

    DNA Poker Player!
    Please create such men,
    And dispense with us Neanderthals.

    …

  • Compassionate Reasoning

    It is out and Oxford and Amazon are keeping the price below $35. From the Introduction: “This book, more than any of my other books, centers on the creation of a new idea and a new approach to thinking, feeling, and doing that might help transform human relations for the better. I have encapsulated that in the phrase “Compassionate Reasoning” which is founded upon an exploration of and devotion to compassion as one of the most amazing and important emotions and ethical principles that brings healing and hope to human relations. The “reasoning” part rests on the importance for human reasoning, and moral reasoning in particular, as it is expressed and described over the centuries in at least five different approaches to virtue and moral decision-making. I have asked myself how I can acknowledge the roots of this journey toward this new idea and combination of skills and practices. When …

  • TEN RULES OF ENGAGEMENT ONLINE FOR THE PRESENT HOUR

     

    1. NEVER MENTION A BULLY

    2. SKIP THE LIES AND FOCUS ON THE TRUTH,

    3. REPEAT THE TRUTH OFTEN,  SIMPLY, IN PLAIN ENGLISH,

    4. COMPLIMENT YOUR FRIENDS, THOSE YOU ADMIRE, EVEN YOUR OPPONENTS WHEN THEY MAKE VALID POINTS,

    5. WHEN SOMEONE BULLIES YOU, SHOWER THEM WITH CARE AT FIRST, AND SEE WHAT HAPPENS ,

    6. IF THEY PERSIST, CUT THEM OFF, SILENCE THEM, ELIMINATE THEM FROM YOUR PRESENCE, BUT DO NOT BECOME THEM OR STOOP TO THEIR LEVEL,

    7. STOP CURSING, IT IS NOT DOING ANYONE ANY GOOD,

    8. MAKE YOUR EVERY WORD EDUCATIONAL, INSTRUCTIONAL, FIND THE WORDS TO RISE BEYOND THIS TIME AND SPACE, SOMETHING LASTING, SOMETHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO HEAR FROM A HERO,

    9. BE HEROIC, FOR THIS IS YOUR TIME IN HISTORY, AND THE OLD HEROES HAVE PASSED FROM THE SCENE,

    10. OFFER HOPE, NOT FOOLISH DREAMS, BUT REALISTIC STEPS TOWARD SOMETHING, ANYTHING, BETTER.

    …

  • Zionists and Islamists

    At a minimum a Zionist is one who loves Zion, often a Jew, but sometimes a Christian. At a minimum, an Islamist is someone who loves Islam, usually a Muslim. I see no reason to use either term in pejorative or hateful way, as a curse or as a condemnation. Associated with Zionism has been all manner of crimes against the native Palestinian people for over a hundred years, associated with Islamism has been tens of thousands of victims of crimes across the world, mostly Muslim victims. But it is an empirical fact that thousands of Zionists and millions of Islamists repudiate the crimes associated with these respective labels. They claim this is not true Zionism or true Islamism. We should agree as a global community to recognize the existence of these people, in fact to honor them. We can disagree with their philosophy but we should not label and …

  • “A New United Nations of Human Rights Countries” – Huffington Post

    My latest article has come up on Huffington Post. Appreaciate your consideration, comments, and critiques!

    Abyei-Patrol2

    “A New United nations of Human Rights Countries,” Huffington Post

    The ten most successful nations on earth, in terms of well-known categories of human rights adherence, as well as other quality of life metrics, such as equal pay, women’s equality, the basic freedoms, environmental sustainability, should form a union that will come with very clear and enviable privileges and for the governments and peoples of said states… 

    The goal of such a union is simple: incentivized expansion, the creation of a club that aspires to include more and more member states, as those states reach the appointed threshold metrics of human rights adherence. This will create incentives, from both top down and bottom up, to improve a human rights record. This will revitalize a global movement in a better direction for many nations, and it

    …

  • Absolutes

     

    together

    Absolutes meet absolutes,
    On the battlefield of mind.
    The winner takes the heart,
    And the heart drives the hands,
    And the hands do what they will.
    There is a time on this earth,
    For questions,
    And there is a time for answers.
    The mind is the gateway
    To the question,
    And the question is the gateway
    To knowledge of things,
    Earthly and divine.
    But the young mind also craves absolutes.…

  • CRDC’s Work in Afghanistan Featured

    Afghan FP

    CRDC’s work in Afghanistan is highlighted in this article from Foreign Policy.

    In line with this approach, over the last few years, the World Organization for Resource Development and Education — a nonprofit, educational organization with which we are both affiliated — co-hosted a series of conferences with the U.S.-based George Mason and Boston Universities on peacebuilding from an Islamic perspective. The conference brought together 200 religious leaders from across Afghanistan to meet with internationally-renowned Muslim scholars. By utilizing a faith-based approach, it was possible to generate discussions on hot-button issues ranging from jihad to women’s rights.

    Please check out the whole article from here.

    Foreign Policy, Six Things About Afghanistan That May Surprise You.

     

    (Photo: Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images)

     …

  • Self-Trust and Self-Distrust

     

    tree

    Trust your feelings = moral intuitionism,
    Distrust your feelings = cognitive therapy and utilitarianism,
    When to trust or distrust = the wisdom of painful experience.

     

    (Photo: Vikram Soni)…

  • Posting and Writing: Abandoning the Echo Chamber of Despair

    excellent film watch it! please read this piece that I wrote in its spirit.

    Post by Films For Action.

     

    Recently, I did not post or write for several days due to trips and holidays. It gave me a chance to absorb and receive writing rather than to give. I came to a conclusion that surprised myself. Those of us globally who are trying to change the world for the better with our words (unlike classical journalism which is about reporting harsh realities) must commit to writing less and less on what cannot be changed, on what is essentially outrageous and dispiriting, UNLESS, we include a practical step that anyone reading can readily take. For example, no more stories on voter registration prevention, unless there is a link to what I, me, myself, can do in some way–not by giving money only–to go and help someone get registered. …

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