I’d been tracking down a friend for several weeks.  She answered none of my landline or cell phone messages, nor my emails.   Naturally, I was relieved when I received her response, at last. As I feared, the news was bad. She’d been diagnosed with Parkinson’s and was recoveri

While scientists attempt to map the human mind in a well-funded program called The Brain Activity Map Project (BAM), theologians and philosophers wonder if that mapping will give us a greater understanding of consciousness and free will than we have now.  As writer and Pulitzer priz

As I grow older, I spend a fair amount of time observing my brain. Am I the same person I was yesterday? A year ago? Ten years ago? Every time I misplace my car keys, I wonder, “Is this forgetfulness normal or reflective of my aging brain?” It’s a curious feeling to use the brai

A friend sent me a blog recently by Dr. Mark Allen Sircus.  He was writing on the importance of being a good listener.  By that he didn’t mean to sit quietly.  Sitting quietly allows the mind to go on speaking to itself.  No, he was talking about being open to ideas that are for

On a warm afternoon, not long ago, I found myself near an Indian restaurant where the air was perfumed with exotic aromas.  I love Indian dishes but as few of my friends do, I often find myself eating alone.  Lunch on that day was no exception. After ordering a curry, I waited for m